Edexcel A Level Politics specification (9PL0)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Edexcel 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 Edexcel 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 Edexcel A Level Politics (9PL0) 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 Edexcel specification PDF.
Specification overview
The Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Politics provides students with a critical awareness of the nature of politics and the relationship between political ideas, institutions and processes. It fosters knowledge and understanding of the structures of authority and power within the UK and globally, encouraging learners to develop analytical and evaluative skills. The qualification aims to equip students with the ability to think politically and to understand competing ideologies, enhancing their capacity to engage in informed debate. It supports progression to higher education and careers in law, public policy, journalism, and government service.Subject content breakdown
Component 1: UK Politics
- Democracy and participation
- Political parties
- Electoral systems
- Voting behaviour and the media
Component 2: UK Government
- The constitution
- Parliament
- Prime Minister and Executive
- Relationships between the branches
Core Political Ideas (within Component 1 and 2)
- Liberalism
- Conservatism
- Socialism
Component 3: Comparative Politics (choose one of the following options)
Option 1: Government and Politics of the USA
- US Constitution and federalism
- US Congress, Presidency and Supreme Court
- Democracy and civil rights in the USA
- Comparative analysis with UK politics
Option 2: Global Politics
- Sovereignty and globalisation
- Global governance: political and economic
- Human rights and environmental politics
- Regionalism and global power theories
Assessment structure
Paper 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas
- Section A: UK Politics (short and extended response questions)
- Section B: Core Political Ideas (choice of essay questions)
- 2 hours, 84 marks
- 33⅓% of qualification
Paper 2: UK Government and Political Ideologies
- Section A: UK Government (short and extended response questions)
- Section B: Optional Ideology essay (Liberalism, Conservatism or Socialism)
- 2 hours, 84 marks
- 33⅓% of qualification
Paper 3: Comparative Politics
- Option 1 or 2: USA or Global Politics
- Structured questions and extended essays
- 2 hours, 84 marks
- 33⅓% of qualification
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Edexcel 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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