Exam details
Papers
How the three papers are set out: their sections, timing and marks.
The three papers
AI draft · unreviewed1Paper 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.
Sources
- 1A level Politics specification, Issue 4
Pearson Edexcel · 2026 · SpecificationOpened 4 November 2026 - 2Edexcel AS and A level Politics specification amendments
Pearson · 22 June 2026 · SpecificationOpened 4 November 2026