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Assessment structure
This topic explains how AQA A-Level Politics 7152 is assessed across three linear written papers. It covers the weighting and scope of Papers 1, 2 and 3, the distinction between short structured responses, extract-based questions, essays and comparative essays, and the need to use accurate political vocabulary. It also shows how a candidate should plan time, interpret the command word, select relevant evidence and build a reasoned conclusion. The focus is assessment literacy: understanding what each paper tests, how AO1, AO2 and AO3 work together, and how a response can remain relevant to the precise question rather than becoming a general topic summary. Strong A-level responses should define the relevant political concepts, distinguish institutions and actors, use precise evidence and explain the consequences of the argument. Evaluation should test an alternative interpretation, consider the limits of the evidence and reach a judgement that answers the exact command word rather than repeating a general topic description.
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Linear qualification and papers4 objectives
- Explain that AQA A-level Politics 7152 is a linear qualification with all assessments taken at the end of the course and in the same series.
- Identify Paper 1 as Government and politics of the UK, assessed by a two-hour written examination worth 77 marks and one third of the A-level.
- Identify Paper 2 as Government and politics of the USA and comparative politics, assessed by a two-hour written examination worth 77 marks and one third of the A-level.
- Identify Paper 3 as Political ideas, assessed by a two-hour written examination worth 77 marks and one third of the A-level.
Question types4 objectives
- Explain and analyse political institutions, processes, concepts, theories and issues in a structured 9-mark response using at least three substantiated points, appropriate political vocabulary and examples.
- Comprehend and interpret arguments in political information for a 25-mark extract-based response, analysing and evaluating the arguments through a balanced and sustained line of reasoning leading to a reasoned conclusion.
- Analyse and evaluate a political statement in a 25-mark essay through a structured and balanced argument, substantiated parallels, connections, similarities and differences, and a reasoned conclusion.
- Make explicit comparisons between UK and US government and politics in the 25-mark comparative politics essay on Paper 2.
Key terms
Exam tips
- Linear qualification and papers Politics exam tip 1: Use a precise political example to support each developed point. Apply this to explain that AQA A-level Politics 7152 is a linear qualification with all assessments taken at the end of the course and in the same series..
- Linear qualification and papers Politics exam tip 1: Use a precise political example to support each developed point. Apply this to identify Paper 1 as Government and politics of the UK, assessed by a two-hour written examination worth 77 marks and one third of the A-level..
Common mistakes
- Linear qualification and papers Politics mistake 1: Add a competing viewpoint, test it with political evidence, explain its limit and reach a substantiated judgement. Keep AO1, AO2 and AO3 distinct.
- Linear qualification and papers Politics mistake 1: Add a competing viewpoint, test it with political evidence, explain its limit and reach a substantiated judgement. Keep AO1, AO2 and AO3 distinct.
Practice preview
- What is the strongest basis for judging taken course same series — that AQA A-level Politics 7152 is a linear qualification with all assessments taken at the end of the course and in the same series? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from Linear qualification and papers.
- Which interpretation should a candidate challenge when discussing taken course same series — that AQA A-level Politics 7152 is a linear qualification with all assessments taken at the end of the course and in the same series? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from Linear qualification and papers.
- How should the argument about taken course same series — that AQA A-level Politics 7152 is a linear qualification with all assessments taken at the end of the course and in the same series? Use the relevant political concepts and evidence from Linear qualification and papers.
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