Cambridge AS & A Level Sociology (9699): syllabus, papers and marking
Essays marked in levels against the knowledge–interpretation–analysis–evaluation split, with the descriptor quoted next to each mark.
Syllabus for examination in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (2027–2028 structure unchanged; revised from 2029) · June and November series · grades A*–E (A Level), a–e (AS)
Sociology 9699: where the marks go
A Level Sociology 9699 is four papers: Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research; The Family; Education; and Globalisation, Media and Religion. Short questions ask for brief, precise answers, and the essays are marked on knowledge and understanding, interpretation and application, analysis, and evaluation. High scores come from backing each point with concepts, theories and research evidence, and weighing them.
Our papers use original questions and stimulus on the 2027 and 2028 content, and marking is by level with the descriptor quoted. Each answer is checked for the sociological material behind each point and whether the view is balanced.
Paper structure and what we mark
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research | 1 h 30 min | 60 | 50% AS · 25% A Level | Three compulsory questions, then one 26-mark essay from two |
| Paper 2 — The Family | 1 h 30 min | 60 | 50% AS · 25% A Level | Same format as Paper 1 |
| Paper 3 — Education | 1 h 15 min | 50 | 21% A Level | Four compulsory questions, the last a 26-mark essay |
| Paper 4 — Globalisation, Media and Religion | 1 h 45 min | 70 | 29% A Level | Two 35-mark essays from two different sections |
Syllabus outline
- Paper 1: socialisation and the creation of social identity (learning, social control, identity and change); methods of research (data and design, approaches, research issues)
- Paper 2 The Family: theories of the family and social change; roles and changing relationships (gender, age)
- Paper 3 Education: theories about the role of education; social mobility; the curriculum; intelligence, class, ethnicity and gender in attainment
- Paper 4 Globalisation, Media and Religion: perspectives, identity, power and politics, poverty and inequality; media; religion
How each paper is marked here
- Short questions are marked point by point against the scheme.
- Essays are marked in levels, with the descriptor quoted and the missing concept, study or counter-view named.
- Opening soon: levels rubric in testing.
Where Sociology 9699 candidates lose marks
- Points without sociological material — Marks depend on tying each point to a concept, theory or study; assertions stay in the lower bands.
- Research-methods detail — Describing non-representative sampling techniques was a common gap, as was describing the kind of data instead of the method named; “interviews” without saying which type is too vague.
- One-sided essays — A case for one view with no challenge cannot reach the top levels.
- Evaluation of explanations — Candidates explained deviance confidently but struggled to assess the explanations, while evaluating triangulation went better.
- Over-long short answers — A brief opening question answered at length costs time for the essays.
Sample papers, mark schemes and marked reports for 9699
See a real handwritten script marked by eight examiners at admitportfolio.com/examiners.
Questions teachers ask
- Does this follow the 2027–2028 syllabus?
- Yes. A revised Sociology syllabus follows from 2029.
- Which papers are marked?
- All four, with teacher approval on essays.
- When does it open?
- After the levels rubric test; ask to be told.
- Is this official Cambridge marking?
- No. Cambridge International Education marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for 9699. Only you see the marking, and you decide what reaches the student.
- Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
- No. Every 9699 paper here is original and written to the syllabus for examination in 2024, 2025 and 2026 (2027–2028 structure unchanged; revised from 2029), in the same structure as the real papers shown above.
- Which papers are marked?
- None yet are marked question by question. Practical exams sat at the centre are not marked here.
- How is the next paper chosen?
- From the marks a student lost: the concepts behind them are ranked by marks dropped, and the new paper weights those topics. It is the same syllabus and structure, with new questions.
- When are the exams?
- June and November series. Grades A*–E (A Level), a–e (AS).
Other Cambridge AS & A Level courses
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