1. Paper 1 Paper 2
Name of paper Scientific Domain
duration 2 hours
marks
available
60
% of overall AS
grade
30%
Section A Compulsory short-response questions
and problems; calculator can be used.
Section B 30-mark essay response based on
the cultural domain; choice of 3
questions.
Section C compulsory short-response
questions based on source
material relating to social
domain.
Section D

2. Paper 1 Paper 2
Name of paper Cultural & Social Domains Scientific Domain
duration 2 hours 1 hour
marks
available
120 60
% of overall AS
grade
70% 30%
Section A compulsory short-response
questions based on source
material relating to cultural
domain.
Compulsory short-response questions
and problems; calculator can be used.
Section B 30-mark essay response based on
the cultural domain; choice of 3
questions.
30-mark essay response based on
scientific domain; choice of 3
questions.
Section C compulsory short-response
questions based on source
material relating to social
domain.
Section D 30-mark essay response based on
social domain; choice of 3
questions.

3. A2 General Studies
 Two papers, though unlike AS these carry equal weighting
 Both papers 1.5 hours long with two main sections
 Focus on synoptic skills - this means putting together what has been studied at AS in
relation to social, cultural and scientific domains.

4. A2 Paper 1 - Applying Synoptic Skills
 Accounts for 50% of A2 grade
 1.5 hours long with 100 marks available
 A02 (evidencing ideas) accounts for 50% of all marks on this paper
 Section A: four compulsory questions. Three 10-mark questions covering three different
domains (social, cultural, scientific) and one synoptic twenty-mark question.
 Section B: one synoptic 50-mark essay question from a choice of three
 Questions are frequently based on problem-solving, logic and evaluating different types
of knowledge. A recurrent question focus is based around fact and opinion.

5. Centres would help their candidates by coaching them to produce
concise, focused and above all shorter answers to Questions 1, 2
and 3 in Section A. Many Examiners noted candidates who wrote
two full pages in answer to each of these questions, and it was
often the case that such answers earned the full quota of
awardable marks from only a quarter of their wordage
(2012 Examiner’s Report)

9. Statement A is fact - the source (BMA) is a reputable scientific journal
- the statement is the outcome of scientific research
- the symptoms are physically diagnosable
Statement B is opinion

10. Statement A is fact - the source (BMA) is a reputable scientific journal
- the statement is the outcome of scientific research
- the symptoms are physically diagnosable
Statement B is opinion – the scientific credentials of Carlos Santana not established
- no scientific evidence is cited
- much of the language is unclear and subjective

11. Another common question focus in
Section A is based around evaluating
arguments and identifying flaws in
reasoning.

14. Alvin’s statement presumes that prediction techniques will naturally lead to
better protection – not necessarily the case unless other measures, e.g.
early evacuation, were put in place.
Just because some politicians are renowned for lying it does not necessarily
follow that all do.
2/3 of a population sharing a view does not mean it is true.
That events coincide in time does not mean that they are linked

16. Some of the other questions are more
straightforward, focusing on key
aspects of social, cultural and scientific

17. Despite many people in Britain now being irreligious, there are still several ways in which
religion bears a significant influence on life in the UK. The basic laws of our society are
essentially underpinned by religion. For example, murder, stealing and perjury are
conveyed in the Christian Ten Commandments. This is a way in which all of our lives,
implicitly, are influenced by religion. Another way that religious belief influences modern
society is in the attitudes taken towards issues such as family life, marriage and sexuality.
For example, although gay marriage has now been legalised this took a long time to pass
into law. It might be perceived that this was because various governments were fearful of
offending or alienating religious groups and individuals who disagreed with same-sex
marriage. A further way in which religion is shown to impact upon contemporary society
is through religious dress. For example this can be seen in the hijab worn by many Muslim
women and the various types of cross Christians often wear. The fact that religion is
ingrained in something as basic as the clothes we wear, shows how it is undeniably still an
influence in the UK today.