Crossbench
UK PoliticsOverviewDemocracy and participationPolitical partiesElectoral systemsVoting behaviour and the media
UK GovernmentOverviewThe constitutionParliamentPrime Minister and executiveRelations between the branches
Political IdeasOverviewLiberalismConservatismSocialismFeminismComparison framework
Global PoliticsOverviewComparative theoriesThe state and globalisationPower and developmentsRegionalism and the EUGlobal governance: political and economicGlobal governance: human rights and environmental
Current AffairsPower MapVoter ProfileParty IndexGlossaryExam Support Site Policies

Examination support

Exam and essay support

How the three papers are structured, what each assessment objective rewards, and a structure for planning extended answers.

The three papers

AI draft · unreviewed
1Paper 1

UK Politics and Core Political Ideas

2 hours84 marks33⅓%
  • Section A, UK Politics: one 30-mark source question from two, and one 30-mark essay from two
  • Section B, Core ideas: one 24-mark question from two
2Paper 2

UK Government and Non-core Political Ideas

2 hours84 marks33⅓%
  • Section A, UK Government: one 30-mark source question from two, and one 30-mark essay from two
  • Section B, Non-core ideas: one 24-mark question from two
3Paper 3

Comparative Politics: Global Politics

2 hours84 marks33⅓%
  • Section A: one 12-mark question from two
  • Section B: one compulsory 12-mark question on comparative theories
  • Section C: two 30-mark questions from three

Structure summarised from the Issue 4 specification. Pearson’s sample assessment materials are unchanged by the 2026 amendments.

Assessment objectives

AO1

Knowledge and understanding

Accurate knowledge of political institutions, processes, ideas and examples.

AO2

Analysis

Explaining connections, similarities and differences, and why evidence matters.

AO3

Evaluation

Weighing arguments to reach substantiated judgements and conclusions.

All Paper 1 and Paper 2 questions assess AO1, AO2 and AO3. In Paper 3, Sections A and B assess AO1 and AO2, and Section C assesses all three.

Planning an extended answer

Introduction
Define the key terms in the question and state a clear line of argument.
Paragraph
Argument, supporting evidence, then the strongest counterargument.
Evaluation
Weigh the two sides and explain which is more convincing, and why.
Conclusion
A judgement that follows from the paragraphs, not a summary of them.
Command words. Appendix 1 of the specification lists the command words used in each question type.
Model paragraphs. Annotated examples showing AO1, AO2 and AO3 in action.

Sources

  1. 1A level Politics specification, Issue 4
    Pearson Edexcel · 2026 · Specification    Opened 4 November 2026
  2. 2Edexcel AS and A level Politics specification amendments
    Pearson · 22 June 2026 · Specification    Opened 4 November 2026