AQA GCSE Sociology specification (8192)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA GCSE 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 GCSE 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 GCSE Sociology (8192) 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
GCSE Sociology introduces students to the fundamentals of sociological thought, focusing on key areas such as families, education, crime and deviance, and social stratification. Through examining these themes, learners explore how individuals interact with social structures and processes. The course fosters critical thinking, the application of sociological theories, and the development of research skills. Students engage with both classical and contemporary perspectives, including the work of theorists like Durkheim, Marx, and Weber. By studying society from different viewpoints, students gain insight into issues of power, inequality, and social change within a UK context.
Subject content breakdown
3.1 The sociological approach
- Conflict vs consensus debates; classical theorists (Durkheim, Marx, Weber)
- Perspectives: functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism
- Key terms: society, norms, values, roles, socialisation, discrimination
- Sociological methods in context of core topics
3.2 Social structures, social processes and social issues
- Evaluate and compare sociological explanations
- Respond to extracts and data; analyse contemporary issues
3.3 Families
- Functions: sexual, economic, reproductive, educational (Parsons, functionalism, feminism, Marxism)
- Family forms: nuclear, extended, lone parent, reconstituted, single sex (Rapoports)
- Conjugal roles: division of labour, decision making (Oakley)
- Changing relationships: pre-industrial to modern, teenage-adult relationships (Willmott and Young)
- Criticisms: isolation, unrealistic idealisation, gender roles, breakdown (Zaretsky, Delphy & Leonard)
- Divorce: post-1945 trends, causes and consequences
3.4 Education
- Roles and functions: social mobility, cohesion, economic needs (Durkheim, Parsons)
- Capitalism and education: correspondence principle (Bowles & Gintis)
- Achievement: class, gender, ethnicity (Halsey, Ball)
- Processes: labelling, setting, counter cultures (Ball, Willis)
3.5 Crime and deviance
- Social construction: anomie, labelling (Merton, Becker)
- Social control: formal/informal mechanisms (Heidensohn)
- Behaviour factors: social class, gender, age (Cohen, Carlen)
- Crime data: patterns, trends, ‘dark figure’ of crime
3.6 Social stratification
- Functionalist theory: role allocation and rewards (Davis & Moore)
- Socio-economic class: Marx, Weber
- Life chances: inequalities by class, gender, ethnicity (Devine)
- Poverty: relative deprivation, underclass (Townsend, Murray)
- Power and authority: traditional, charismatic, rational-legal (Weber)
- Power relationships: patriarchy and intersectionality (Walby)
3.7 Sociological research methods
- Research design: aims, hypotheses, sampling, pilot studies
- Qualitative vs quantitative: interviews, observations, questionnaires
- Primary/secondary sources; data interpretation
- Practical and ethical issues
Assessment structure
Paper 1: The sociology of families and education
- Topics: Families and Education
- 1 hr 45 mins, 100 marks, 50% of GCSE
- Includes multiple choice, short and extended response questions in Sections A and B
- Draws on wider sociological theory and methods
Paper 2: The sociology of crime and deviance and social stratification
- Topics: Crime and Deviance, Social Stratification
- 1 hr 45 mins, 100 marks, 50% of GCSE
- Includes multiple choice, short and extended response questions in Sections A and B
- Draws on wider sociological theory and methods
Assessment objectives
- AO1: Knowledge and understanding (40%)
- AO2: Application of knowledge (40%)
- AO3: Analysis and evaluation (20%)
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA GCSE 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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