How to Get an A* in A Level Sociology

You've put in the work. You've learnt the theories, memorised the sociologists, and written countless practice essays. Yet somehow, that A* still feels just out of reach.

Here’s the frustrating truth: many students who know the content inside out still miss the top grades. That’s because an A* in A Level Sociology isn’t awarded for knowledge alone. From my years of teaching the subject, I’ve seen that top grades go to students who can apply, analyse and evaluate their knowledge effectively under exam conditions.

The good news? I can help show you that getting an A* is absolutely achievable once you understand what examiners expect and how to deliver it consistently. I have supported hundreds of students to do exactly that. In this guide I break down the exact strategies, essay techniques, and revision methods that will help you reach the top band in every question.

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Key Takeaways

• Master all three Assessment Objectives (AO1, AO2, AO3) to access the highest mark bands

• Write structured essays with evaluation in every paragraph, not just at the end

• Use mark schemes and examiner reports to understand what top answers include

• Apply contemporary examples to demonstrate real-world understanding

What It Takes to Get an A* in A Level Sociology

Let's be clear: an A* isn't about memorising textbooks or writing the longest essay. It comes from showing examiners that you can think like a sociologist.

According to AQA’s grade descriptors, A* students demonstrate “comprehensive and accurate knowledge’” combined with “sophisticated analysis and evaluation.” Other exam boards expect the same.

That means you must move beyond simply describing theories. You need to compare perspectives, assess their strengths and limitations, and support what you say with relevant evidence.

Understand What the Examiner Is Looking For

Every A Level Sociology exam board assesses three skills, known as the Assessment Objectives. To achieve top marks, you must meet all three in every extended response.

• AO1 - Knowledge and Understanding (30-40%) covers accurate knowledge of sociological theories, concepts, and research studies. You must show precise, relevant knowledge — not vague or general statements

• AO2 - Application (20-30%) tests your ability to apply knowledge to specific contexts, examples, or items in the exam. For item-based questions, referencing the item is essential for high AO2 marks

• AO3 - Analysis and Evaluation (30-40%) is where A* essays stand out. You need to evaluate throughout your answer—not just at the end—and make clear, reasoned judgements

All exam boards use this framework. Your goal is to balance all three in every response. Let me show you how!

Know the Key Topics Inside Out

Strong essay writing relies on strong content knowledge. Make sure you’re confident with all the key topics for your board. For most students, this includes:

• Education

• Families and Households

• Crime and Deviance

• Theory and Methods

Some boards may also include Beliefs in Society, Media, or Social Stratification.

When I was teaching, I’d always give students the exam board specification as a checklist. Ask your teacher for this and use it to regularly check your knowledge of definitions, theorists and key studies.

If you can’t explain cultural capital in one sentence — or give three criticisms of labelling theory — you need more revision.

Build a bank of exam-style definitions for every key concept. Examiners love precise terminology, so learn the exact wording for terms like “hegemony”, “meritocracy” or “cultural capital.” My students and I would create a glossary at the end of every topic - my advice to you is to the same.

Master Essay Structure for Extended Writing Questions

A clear, logical structure is one of the biggest differences between an average essay and an A* essay. Examiners need to follow your argument easily — and the strongest answers are always planned in advance.

For 20- or 30-mark questions, aim for:

• A focused introduction

• Several well-developed PEEL paragraphs

• A purposeful conclusion

The exact number of paragraphs will depend on the question and mark tariff.

My advice is to spend 2–3 minutes planning, before you start your essay writing. Jot down:

• Your main arguments

• The studies or theorists you’ll use

• Where your evaluation will go

A simple plan keeps your essay focused and stops you from drifting off-topic.

Writing Effective PEELE Paragraphs 

PEEL helps you structure paragraphs and hit all Assessment Objectives:

• Point — Make a clear sociological point 

• Evidence — Support it with a theory, study, or example

• Explain — Develop how/why this point answers the question

• Link + Evaluate — Link back to the question and add evaluation

Example structure:

• Point: “Functionalists argue that education performs secondary socialisation”

• Evidence: “Durkheim claimed that schools promote shared norms and values”

• Explain: “This prepares students for wider society by teaching cooperation and social rules”

• Link + Evaluate: “However, Marxists argue this ignores how education reinforces ruling-class ideology”

This structure naturally incorporates evaluation and keeps paragraphs analytical rather than descriptive. This is a winning format that many of my students used to achieve top grades. 

How to Write Evaluation in Every Paragraph

Here's a common mistake I have seen countless students make: saving all their evaluation for the end. That's too late. Top-band answers weave evaluation throughout. 

After every point, ask yourself:

• “What is the weakness of this argument?”

• “Who would disagree with this perspective?”

Use evaluative phrases such as:

• “However…”

• “On the other hand…”

• “This view has been criticised because…”

Then bring in a contrasting theory, methodological critique, or contemporary example.

This shows the examiner that you are engaging critically with the material rather than simply recounting it.

Introduction and Conclusion Tips

Introduction

Keep it short (2–3 sentences). Include:

• A brief definition of key terms

• The focus of the debate

• A signpost of your argument

For example: “Social class refers to economic and social divisions within society. While functionalists argue class inequality is necessary for meritocracy, Marxists see it as a product of capitalist exploitation. This essay will evaluate both explanations before considering feminist and Weberian perspectives.”

Conclusion

Summarise your overall argument and make a clear judgement. Do not add new evidence.

For example: “Overall, although functionalists highlight important aspects of social cohesion, Marxist arguments more convincingly explain persistent class inequality in contemporary Britain.”

Use Mark Schemes and Examiner Reports

As a teacher I would always say that mark schemes are one of the most powerful tools for improving your grade. They literally tell you what examiners want to see.

My advice is to download past papers and mark schemes. Find a top-band answer in the mark scheme and compare it to yours. Ask yourself:

• What did the top answer include that I didn’t?

• How did they embed evaluation?

• How much evidence did they use?

Examiner reports are even more valuable. They highlight common mistakes and explain exactly why students missed marks.

AQA reports often note that weaker answers “describe theories without applying them”, while stronger answers “sustain evaluation throughout”.

Use these insights to shape your revision and writing. If examiners say students lost marks for "lack of contemporary examples", make sure yours are packed with them.

Build Strong Revision Habits

Effective revision is active, not passive. Instead of re-reading notes, use techniques that force you to recall information. Here are some top tips that I have seen work time and time again for students of all abilities:

Start Early

Begin revising at least 3–4 months before exams. Break topics into weekly sections and test yourself regularly.

Flashcards for Key Terms and Theories

Flashcards are perfect for learning sociologists, definitions, and key studies. Include both:

• Basic recall (“What is cultural capital?”)

• Higher-level questions (“Give two criticisms of Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital.”)

Mind Maps for Topic Connections

Use them to link themes across topics. Sociology is highly interconnected, and mind maps help you see patterns and overlaps that strengthen essay answers.

Mind maps help you see these connections visually. Start with the topic in the centre, then branch out into perspectives (Marxism, Feminism, etc.), then add key studies and evaluations.

This technique is especially useful for the extended writing questions that require you to draw on multiple areas of the specification.

Timed Practice and Self-Marking

Write essays under real exam conditions. Use the correct timing:

• 10-markers: around 12 minutes

• 20-markers: around 25 minutes

• 30-markers: around 35 minutes

Then self-mark honestly using the mark scheme.

Keep a record of scores and weaknesses — this makes progress clearer and revision more targeted.

Apply Real-World Examples and Current Events

Sociology isn't all abstract theory—it's about understanding the real world. Examiners reward students who link concepts to contemporary society, for example:

• Gender patterns in A Level subject choices

• Trends in crime statistics

• Changes to education policy

• Inequality highlighted by current social research

Keep up with the news and sociological debates.

When you write an essay, weave these examples naturally. Instead of writing "Feminists argue education reinforces gender stereotypes," write "Feminists argue education reinforces gender stereotypes, for example, girls remain under-represented in A Level Physics, with only 23% of entries in 2023."

This shows applied, current understanding.

Avoid Common Mistakes That Lose Marks

Even strong students sometimes make predictable errors. Here are some I have see many students make over the years:

• Misreading the question: Always highlight command words and requirements from the item

• Lack of terminology: Use precise sociological language

• Weak structure: Avoid long, unfocused paragraphs

• No evaluation: Description alone cannot reach the top bands
  Using outdated examples: Sociology evolves; your examples should reflect current society

Being aware of these pitfalls helps you avoid them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Improve My Evaluation Skills?

Read critically. Question every idea you learn by asking yourself:

• “What are the limitations?”

• “Who disagrees with this theory?”

• “What real-world evidence challenges it?”

Practice writing evaluation sentences such as: 

• "However, critics argue..."

• "A weakness of this approach is..."

• "This fails to account for..."

Comparing perspectives directly (e.g., Functionalism vs Marxism) builds strong evaluation skills.

Should I Memorise Studies or Focus on Themes?

Both matter. Learn a few key studies per topic, but organise your revision by themes such as class, gender, and ethnicity so you can apply ideas flexibly.

Focus on studies that are frequently cited or particularly useful for evaluation.

What's the Best Way to Practise Essays?

Write full essays under timed conditions, then self-mark using mark schemes. 

Practise writing perfect PEELE paragraphs — this builds confidence and accuracy.

Join or create a study group where you mark each other's work. Explaining why an answer does or doesn't work deepens your understanding of mark schemes.

Final Thoughts

Achieving an A* in A Level Sociology isn’t about luck. It’s about consistently applying the right techniques.

You need strong content knowledge, yes — but you also need structured essays, continual evaluation, and clear application to contemporary examples. When you combine those skills, the A* becomes completely achievable.

Start using mark schemes, practise under timed conditions, and build revision habits that strengthen your confidence. You can do this!

Ready to take the next step? Explore our  AQA A Level Sociology revision resources and start working towards your A* today.