AQA A Level Sociology specification (7192)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA A Level Sociology 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 Sociology 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 Sociology (7192) 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 Sociology course introduces students to the key concepts, theories, and research methods used to understand social life. It emphasises critical engagement with contemporary issues, social structures, and processes such as inequality, identity, and power. The course supports the development of analytical and evaluative skills through active involvement in sociological debate and research. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of UK society within a global context, encouraging them to reflect on their own social roles and responsibilities:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.Subject content breakdown
4.1 Education with Theory and Methods
- Role and functions of the education system, including links to economy and class structure
- Differential achievement by class, gender, and ethnicity
- Internal processes: teacher/pupil relationships, pupil identities, subcultures, hidden curriculum
- Educational policies: selection, marketisation, privatisation, equality policies, globalisation
- Application of sociological methods to education
- Theory and Methods:
- Quantitative and qualitative methods
- Research design, sources of data, positivism vs interpretivism
- Debates: modernity/post-modernity, science in sociology, objectivity/value freedom, sociology and social policy
4.2 Topics in Sociology
Choose one from each option:
Option 1:
- Culture and Identity: concepts of culture, socialisation, identity, globalisation
- Families and Households: family structures, policies, roles, childhood, demographics
- Health: social construction of health, inequalities, mental illness, healthcare systems
- Work, Poverty and Welfare: poverty and inequality, welfare provision, labour and globalisation
Option 2:
- Beliefs in Society: religion and science, secularisation, globalisation, organisations and movements
- Global Development: underdevelopment, global inequality, aid, conflict, gender, TNCs
- The Media: media ownership, globalisation, news selection, media representation and effects
- Stratification and Differentiation: inequality by class, gender, age, power, mobility, globalisation
4.3 Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
- Definitions, social order, control
- Distribution by class, gender, ethnicity
- Globalisation, media, green and state crime
- Crime control, surveillance, justice system
- Theory and Methods (as above, applied to crime and deviance):contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods
- 2-hour written exam
- 80 marks (33.3% of A-level)
- Questions on education (50 marks), methods in context (20), theory/methods (10)
Paper 2: Topics in Sociology
- 2-hour written exam
- 80 marks (33.3% of A-level)
- Section A: one option from first set (40 marks)
- Section B: one option from second set (40 marks)
Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
- 2-hour written exam
- 80 marks (33.3% of A-level)
- Crime and deviance (50 marks), theory/methods (30 marks)
Question Types
- Combination of short answer and extended essay-style questions
- All papers assess application, analysis, and evaluation
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, methods (44%)
- AO2: Application to issues (31%)
- AO3: Analysis and evaluation (25%)
Total Marks
- Each paper worth 80 marks
- Total scaled mark: 240 for A-level:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA A Level Sociology 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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