Examinations

Useful Downloads

Please note that there is no coursework component for GCE Government and Politics.

There are, however, six examinations for GCE Government and Politics: three at AS level and a further three at A2. The exams vary in format and require students to respond to source material, answer structured questions and write essays. We set and mark all exams.

The table below offers details on each examination:

Unit

Title

Nature of Assessment

Weightings

Exam Session

AS 1

The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland

1 hour exam

  • Students must answer all questions based on the source material provided.
  • Sources may include text, pictures, graphics or statistics.

30% of AS
15% of A Level

Spring and Summer

AS 2

The Inter-relationship of the UK Executive, Legislature and Judiciary

1 hour exam

  • All questions are compulsory.
  • The exam includes a mix of short answer and longer in-depth response questions.
  • There is choice in Questions 2 and 3.

35% of AS 17.5% of A Level

Spring and Summer

AS 3

Political Behaviour

1 hour exam

  • Students must answer one short essay question from a choice of four.

35% of AS 17.5% of A Level

Spring and Summer

A2 1

The Government and Politics of the USA
OR
The Government and Politics of the Republic of Ireland

1 hour exam

  • Students must answer one
    short essay type question from a choice of three from either Section A or Section B of the exam paper.

15% of A Level

Spring and Summer

A2 2

The Government and Politics of the UK and the USA
OR
The Government and Politics of the UK and Republic of Ireland

1 hour 30 minutes exam
  • Students must answer questions in either Section A or Section B on the source material provided.

18% of A Level

Summer only

A2 3

Political Power
OR
 The Contemporary Relevance of Political Ideologies

1 hour exam

  • Students must answer one essay question from a choice of two from either Section A or Section B.

17% of A Level

Summer only

For guidance on how students can improve their performance in the examinations, see the Chief Examiner’s Reports (above) for GCE Government and Politics or the Exam Tips section.

More information on examinations is available in the full specification.