How to Answer 4 & 6 Mark Outline Questions (AQA A Level Sociology): Revision Note

How do I answer AQA A Level Sociology 4-mark and 6-mark Outline questions?

• 4-mark and 6-mark 'Outline' questions appear in Papers 1 and 3 only, and they assess your ability to:

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts and evidence (AO1)

  • apply your knowledge to the issue in the question (AO2)

• You will find these questions in:

  • Paper 1, Question 01 (4 marks) and Question 02 (6 marks) on Education

  • Paper 3, Question 01 (4 marks) and Question 02 (6 marks) on Crime and Deviance

• 'Outline' questions have no Item and always use the same wording:

  • E.g. Outline two ways in which media representations of crime may not reflect reality [4 marks]

  • E.g. Outline three functions that the education system performs for society [6 marks]

• The marks available in these questions are as follows:

  • 4-mark question: AO1 = 4 marks

  • 6-mark question on Paper 1: AO1 = 3 marks and AO2 = 3 marks

  • 6-mark question on Paper 3: AO1 = 6 marks

• You answer the 6-mark question in the same way on both papers

• Unlike the longer questions, 'Outline' questions are point marked

  • 2 marks are given for each point that is clearly outlined

  • 1 mark is given for each point that is only partially outlined

• There are no marks for analysis or evaluation in these questions

What does 'outline' mean?

• To outline is to identify a point and then develop it briefly

  • You earn 1 mark for identifying an appropriate point

  • You earn a second mark for developing it

• Examiners advise students to identify the way or problem first and then amplify it through an example

• The development must add something new that shows how the point answers the question

  • Repeating the point in different words does not earn the second mark

• For example, in a question on ways in which media representations of crime may not reflect reality:

  • 'The media over-report violent crime' identifies a way, so it earns 1 mark

  • Adding 'even though violent crime makes up only a small proportion of the crimes recorded in official statistics' develops the point, so it earns the second mark

• Each point must be specific to the question

  • E.g. in a question on the advantages of vocational education, examiners noted that 'it prepares students for jobs' could apply to any type of education, which limited the marks

How should I structure my answer?

• Write a separate short paragraph for each point

  • Start them with clear signposts, such as:

    • 'One way...'

    • 'Another way...'

    • 'A third way...'

• Use your first sentence to identify the point and your second sentence to develop it

• Give exactly the number of points that the question asks for

• Make sure that your points are clearly different from each other

• You do not need an introduction, a conclusion or evaluation, and you can earn full marks without naming sociologists

How much should I write in an Outline answer?

• You should spend no more than 6 minutes on a 4-mark question and no more than 9 minutes on a 6-mark question

  • Aim for one or two sentences for each point

  • This is around 50–60 words for a 4-mark answer and around 70–90 words for a 6-mark answer

• Examiners say that small tariff questions do not require lengthy answers

• Answering these questions efficiently 'buys back' time for the 30-mark and 20-mark essays

  • You should practise answering them in timed conditions before you sit your exams