AQA GCSE Sociology Revision Guide

Hey sociologists-in-the-making! Whether you’re just starting your GCSE Sociology course or gearing up for exams, this guide will walk you through what to expect and how to revise smartly. Let’s make your Sociology revision as stress-free (and even enjoyable!) as possible✨.

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

• 🏆Marks: 100 marks (50% of overall grade)

• 📌Content: 

• The sociology of families (think: family types, changing roles, divorce, socialisation)

• The sociology of education (schools, achievement, inequality, policies)

• Relevant sociological theories and research methods

• ❓Question Types:  Section A and Section B both contain 2 multiple choice questions as well as both short and end extended responses.

• Short-answer questions (1 - 4 marks)

- 2 Multiple choice questions

- Describe / Identify / Identify and Describe / Identify and explain...

- Interpret statistics / research and examine one strength / weakness of...

• Longer answer questions (12 marks). You will find 2 of these types of questions in both sections A and B.

- Discuss how far sociologists would agree with x...

💡 Tip: Learn to define key terms clearly and back up longer answers with evidence and sociological studies. The examiner loves a well-chosen example!

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

• 🏆Marks: 100 marks (50% of overall grade)

• 📌Content:  

• Crime and deviance (why people commit crimes, the role of the media, social control)

• Social stratification (class, gender, ethnicity, power, poverty)

• Sociological research methods applied to these topics

• ❓Question Types:  Just like Paper 1 - a mix of short and long questions. Section A and Section B both contain 2 multiple choice questions as well as both short and end extended responses.

• Short-answer questions (1 - 4 marks)

- 2 Multiple choice questions

- Describe / Identify / Identify and Describe / Identify and explain...

- Interpret statistics / research and examine one strength / weakness of...

• Longer answer questions (12 marks) You will find 2 of these types of question in both section A and B.

- Discuss how far sociologists would agree with x...

💡 Tip: Be ready to apply theories (like Marxism, Functionalism, Feminism, etc.) to real-life examples. The more you can show your understanding of how society actually works, the better!

✨Here are some top tips to make your revision more effective:

1. Master the key concepts🔑

Make flashcards for terms like socialisation, patriarchy, meritocracy and social mobility. Quiz yourself or get a friend to test you - active recall is your best friend 

2. Use past papers📚

Practice, practice, practice! Doing past papers under timed conditions helps you:

• Get used to the structure

• Learn how to manage your time

• Spot common question types

We've got all the links you need to past papers and mark schemes on this page!

3. Learn your studies💡

Remember the key names and studies (like Willis, Oakley, Durkheim and Weber). Use mnemonics or mind maps to help you remember who did what - it’ll make your essays much stronger! 🕵️‍♀️

4. Practice writing longer answers 🧠

For the 12-mark questions, include:

• A clear introduction

• Well-organised and developed paragraphs that agree and disagree with the statement  

• A short conclusion summarising your argument

Structure and clarity = examiner happiness 😄

5. Mix it up📘

Don’t just read your notes! Try:

• Watching short YouTube explainers 🎥

• Creating mind maps 🧩

• Joining revision groups or discussions 👯‍♀️

• Teaching a topic to someone else (it really works!) 👏

🌟 Final Thoughts

Sociology is all about understanding the world around you - how people live, work and interact. The best way to revise is to connect what you’re learning to real-life examples you see in the news or social media. That’s how you make it stick! 

Good luck with your revision - you’ve got this! 💪