Cambridge (CIE) A Level Sociology specification (9699)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) 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 Cambridge (CIE) 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 Cambridge (CIE) A Level Sociology (9699) 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 Cambridge (CIE) specification PDF.
Specification overview
Cambridge International AS & A Level Sociology enables learners to explore key sociological concepts, theories, methods and real-world issues. The course encourages critical reflection on cultural and structural influences on behaviour and identities, with a focus on themes such as inequality, power, social change, and identity. Learners are supported in developing analytical, interpretive and evaluative skills, enabling them to compare theoretical perspectives and apply sociological knowledge to contemporary global contexts. The syllabus promotes independent thinking and research, preparing students for higher education and a wider appreciation of diversity in society.
Subject content breakdown
Paper 1 – Socialisation, identity and methods of research
- Learning and socialisation: roles, norms, values, ideology, status, nurture vs nature, agents of socialisation.
- Social control: conformity, resistance, power, deviance, subcultures, under-socialisation.
- Social identity: class, gender, ethnicity, age, globalisation, hybrid identities.
- Research methods: qualitative/quantitative data, sources, interviews, observations, experiments.
- Research design: strategy, sampling, piloting, operationalisation, interpretation.
- Methodological approaches: case studies, ethnography, triangulation, positivist and interpretivist debates.
- Research issues: ethics, bias, validity, reliability, representativeness.
Paper 2 – The Family
- Role of the family: functionalist, Marxist, feminist perspectives.
- Family diversity: marriage, cohabitation, divorce, household types, New Right and postmodernist views.
- Social policy and family change.
- Gender equality: conjugal roles, emotion work, feminism.
- Age roles: childhood, grandparents, motherhood/fatherhood, cultural comparisons.
Paper 3 – Education
- Role of education: functionalist, Marxist, New Right, cultural reproduction, role allocation.
- Social mobility and meritocracy.
- Curriculum influences: culture, power, status, gender, hidden curriculum, cultural capital.
- Inequality in attainment: social class, material and cultural factors, labelling, compensatory education.
- Ethnicity and gender: racism, expectations, subcultures, masculinity crisis.
Paper 4 – Globalisation, Media and Religion
Globalisation
- Definitions, glocalisation, identity, power and politics.
- Global inequalities, migration, global crime, capitalism, colonialism, social movements.
Media
- Traditional vs new media: ownership, digitalisation, conglomerates.
- Media theories: pluralist, Marxist, postmodernist, censorship, hegemony.
- Media effects: representation, moral panics, behavioural influence.
Religion
- Defining religion, measuring belief, religiosity by social group.
- Religion’s social role: functionalist, Marxist, social change, fundamentalism.
- Secularisation, feminism and religion, post-modernity, New Age movements.
Assessment structure
Paper 1 – Socialisation, identity and methods of research
- 1h30m, 60 marks
- Section A: Three compulsory short-answer and explanation questions
- Section B: One essay from a choice of two
- 50% AS / 25% A Level
Paper 2 – The Family
- 1h30m, 60 marks
- Section A: Three compulsory short-answer and explanation questions
- Section B: One essay from a choice of two
- 50% AS / 25% A Level
Paper 3 – Education
- 1h15m, 50 marks
- Four compulsory questions including one essay
- 20% A Level
Paper 4 – Globalisation, Media and Religion
- 1h45m, 70 marks
- Answer two essays from different sections (Globalisation, Media, Religion)
30% A Level
- AS Level: Papers 1 & 2
- A Level (staged): Year 1 – Papers 1 & 2; Year 2 – Papers 3 & 4
- A Level (full): All four papers in same series
Key tips for success
Doing well in your Cambridge (CIE) 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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