AQA A Level Politics specification (7152)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA A Level Politics exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA A Level Politics specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official AQA A Level Politics (7152) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
This A Level Politics qualification offers students a dynamic and engaging opportunity to explore contemporary political structures, issues, and ideologies. It develops critical awareness of political processes and institutions in the UK and the USA and fosters analytical and evaluative skills through debate and discussion. Students examine key political ideologies, understand the influence of political actors and ideas, and draw comparisons across systems. The course is suitable preparation for further study in politics, international relations, law, journalism, and related fields:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
3.1 Government and politics of the UK
- Nature and sources of the British Constitution; significance of key documents; debates on constitutional reform
- Parliament: roles and effectiveness of Commons, Lords, committees, and opposition
- Prime Minister and Cabinet: policy-making, responsibility, and power examples
- Judiciary: role, independence, judicial review, influence on government
- Devolution: powers of devolved bodies and impact on UK governance
- Democracy and participation: forms of democracy, changes in suffrage, participation trends
- Elections and referendums: voting systems, key elections since 1945, effects of campaigns and leadership
- Political parties: structure, funding, ideology, minor parties, movement toward a multi-party system
- Pressure groups: typologies, methods, influence, pluralism
- European Union: aims and impact on UK politics
3.2 Government and politics of the USA and comparative politics
- US Constitution: structure, checks and balances, federalism, rights protection
- Congress: structure, powers, party systems, scrutiny
- President: formal/informal powers, constraints, case studies (e.g. FDR, Reagan)
- Judiciary: appointment, judicial review, landmark rulings (e.g. Roe v Wade)
- Elections: presidential and congressional systems, campaign factors, turnout
- Political parties: ideologies, factionalism, third parties
- Pressure groups: influence, PACs, Super PACs
- Civil rights: constitutional protection, key rulings, salient issues (race, gender, etc.)
- Comparative politics: UK vs US in constitutional arrangements, executive, judiciary, electoral systems, pressure groups, civil rights
3.3 Political ideas
- Liberalism: classical vs modern, key thinkers (Locke, Mill, Rawls)
- Conservatism: traditional vs New Right, key thinkers (Hobbes, Burke, Rand)
- Socialism: revolutionary vs social democracy, key thinkers (Marx, Crosland, Giddens)
- Optional ideology (one of):
- Nationalism (e.g. Rousseau, Garvey)
- Feminism (e.g. de Beauvoir, bell hooks)
- Multiculturalism (e.g. Kymlicka, Parekh)
- Anarchism (e.g. Goldman, Kropotkin)
- Ecologism (e.g. Carson, Bookchin):contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Government and politics of the UK
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 77 marks, 33⅓% of A Level
- Mix of medium-length 'explain' and essay-style questions
Paper 2: Government and politics of the USA and comparative politics
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 77 marks, 33⅓% of A Level
- Includes comparative politics; same question types as Paper 1
Paper 3: Political ideas
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 77 marks, 33⅓% of A Level
- Mix of medium-length 'explain' and essay-style questions
Question types
- 9-mark questions: structured analysis with three points and political examples
- 25-mark extract questions: analysis of a provided source with reasoned judgement
- 25-mark essay questions: synoptic arguments with comparisons (esp. in Paper 2)
Assessment objectives
- AO1: Knowledge and understanding of political institutions and issues
- AO2: Analysis and comparison across political systems
- AO3: Evaluation and argument construction:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA A Level Politics isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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