Assessment objectives and synoptic skills common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Confusing UK conventions with statutory law

  Treating a convention as a legally enforceable statute

  Fix itClarify that conventions are non‑binding practices that guide behaviour but cannot be enforced by courts.

• Confusing written law with constitutional conventions

  Assuming that conventions are legally enforceable or that they can be overridden by statute.

  Fix itClarify that conventions are non‑statutory, guide political behaviour, and are not subject to judicial enforcement, whereas written law is formally enacted and legally binding.

• Confusing rules with conventions

  Treating a convention as if it were a constitutional rule, or vice versa.

  Fix itRemember that rules are written and enforceable; conventions are informal but widely observed. Use the correct terminology when describing each.

• Misidentifying the role of the House of Lords

  Assuming the House of Lords can directly set government policy

  Fix itThe House of Lords reviews and revises legislation but does not initiate policy; it cannot set the agenda for the Prime Minister.

• Confusing political skill with political knowledge

  Students often treat skill as simply knowing facts rather than applying them.

  Fix itEmphasise that skill involves the practical use of knowledge to interpret and evaluate political situations.

• Confusing written constitution with constitutional convention

  Assuming all UK constitutional rules are written and legally enforceable.

  Fix itClarify that the UK has a mix of written statutes and unwritten conventions; only the written parts are legally binding.

• Confusing conventions with written law

  Assuming that UK constitutional conventions are legally enforceable.

  Fix itClarify that conventions are unwritten norms, whereas written law is enforceable by courts.

• Confusing UK conventions with formal law

  Treating collective ministerial responsibility as a statutory requirement rather than a convention.

  Fix itClarify that it is a convention, enforced by political consequences, not by legislation.

• Confusing Constitutional Rules with Conventions

  Assuming that all political practices are legally enforceable.

  Fix itClarify that conventions are non-legal customs, whereas constitutional rules are codified and enforceable.

• Confusing the UK and US executive selection

  Assuming the UK Prime Minister is elected directly by the public.

  Fix itThe Prime Minister is chosen by the party that wins a majority in the House of Commons and is not directly elected by voters.