Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Exam Question Feedback• Exam skills• Exam preparation• Strengths and weaknesses

Exam Question Feedback

• Grades• Examples and Explanations• PACE

P.A.C.E

PointAnalysisContextExample

AO1 Knowledge and UnderstandingLevel 3(9-12

marks)

Full and developed knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories or debates

Level 2(5-8

marks)

Satisfactory knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories or debates

Level 1(0-4

marks)

Poor knowledge and understanding of relevant institutions, processes, political concepts, theories or debates

Mark Scheme (45marks)

Mark Scheme (45marks)AO2 Intellectual Skills

Level 3(9-12

marks)

Good or better ability to analyse and evaluate political information, arguments and explanations

Level 2(5-8 marks)

Sound ability to analyse and evaluate political information, arguments and explanations

Level 1(0-4 marks)

Limited ability to analyse and evaluate political information, arguments and explanations

Mark Scheme (45marks)AO2 Synoptic Skills

Level 3(9-12

marks)

Good or better ability to identify competing viewpoints or perspectives, and clear insight into how they affect the interpretation of political events or issues and shape conclusions

Level 2(5-8

marks)

Sound ability to identify competing viewpoints or perspectives, and a reliable awareness of how they affect the interpretation of political events or issues and shape conclusions

Level 1(0-4

marks)

Limited ability to identify competing viewpoints or perspectives, and a little awareness of how they affect the interpretation of political events or issues and shape conclusions

Mark Scheme (45marks)AO3 Communication and Coherence

Level 3(7-9

marks)

Sophisticated ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making good use of appropriate vocabulary

Level 2(4-6

marks)

Adequate ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making some use of appropriate vocabulary

Level 1(0-3

marks)

Weak ability to construct and communicate coherent arguments, making little or no use of appropriate vocabulary

How to write a good 45 mark answer

• Understand the question• Define key terms• Plan your Structure (3 sides);

- intro (1/2 side)- 4 main points (1/2 side each)- conclusion (1/2 side)

• Careful and logical linking of points• Keep argument focused on question (use phrases from question in

your answer)• Be prepared to attack the question• Your answer does not have to be perfect – just the best you can do in

the time available!

Write your essay with PACE!

How to get a Grade A

How to get a Grade AAnswer the questionAnalyse the question

Focus on the question (link back to question)Examples and Evidence

ContextPolitical vocab (all those big words!!)

Don’t repeat yourselfGeneralisations; there is always an exception to the rule!

Aware of arguments for both sidesClear writing style

EXAM HINT:

• Read the Bill of Rights• Think about “freedom” in the Constitution• Find/memorise 2 quotes about “freedom”

and the US Constitution• Think about conflicting viewpoints

The US ConstitutionStrengths(Protects freedom)

Weaknesses (Doesn’t protect freedom)

EXAM QUESTION

To what extent is there disagreement about how effectively the Constitution protects

freedom?

January 2010 Paper