Learn from others: Browse anonymised top 3 and middle 3 mock exam results. No candidate numbers shown.
Click on column headers to sort the table.
| Question | Topic / Title | Max Marks | Class Avg | Performance % | RAG Rating |
|---|
Click on column headers to sort the table.
| Question | Topic / Title | Max Marks | Class Avg | Performance % | RAG Rating |
|---|
Overall: The cohort of 27 students achieved a class average of 40.8/80 (51%) with a pass rate (Grade 4+) of 67% (18 of 27 students). The strongest performance was in the multiple choice and short-answer sections, with Q7b (Institute for Government view, 89%), Q7a (Blair view, 93%) and Q1b (discrimination, 100%) all scoring very well. The weakest area by far was Q7c (Source Agreement, 13%), suggesting students struggled to identify points of agreement between the two sources. The higher-tariff extended writing questions (Q7d and Q8) also showed significant room for improvement.
"Which view do you agree with more?" (12 Marks)
Hover over the highlighted text to see the examiner's commentary.
"The ages of responsibility should be increased." (15 Marks)
One reason legal rights are important is that they protect employees from unfair dismissalEXAMINER: Names a specific legal right, which earns the first of the two marks available for this reason.. This means an employer cannot fire someone without a valid reason and a proper legal process, giving workers job securityEXAMINER: Explains why that right matters to the employee, earning the second mark.. Another reason is that rights guarantee a minimum level of pay, such as the National Minimum WageEXAMINER: Names a second, clearly different right rather than restating the first.. This is crucial because it prevents employers from exploiting vulnerable workersEXAMINER: Develops the second reason into a consequence, which is what turns an identification into an explanation. and ensures they can afford a basic standard of living.
Instead of writing: they stop you getting sackedEXAMINER: Too vague and informal, and it misses the legal terminology of unfair dismissal.
Having multiple identities can benefit a person by allowing them to relate to a wider range of peopleEXAMINER: States a clear social benefit, earning the first mark.. Because they can draw on different cultural backgrounds or languages, it is easier for them to build connections and find common groundEXAMINER: Explains how that benefit actually works in practice, earning the second. socially and at work.
Instead of writing: it makes them more interestingEXAMINER: A subjective opinion rather than a benefit that can be explained.
One benefit of strong community cohesion is that there is usually less crime and antisocial behaviourEXAMINER: A recognised outcome of cohesion, stated precisely enough to earn the mark.. A second benefit is that residents feel a stronger sense of belonging and are more willing to help their neighboursEXAMINER: A genuinely separate second benefit, not a rewording of the first..
Instead of writing: everyone is nice to each otherEXAMINER: Too simplistic, and it avoids the terminology expected at GCSE.
One role of the Speaker is to chair debates in the House of CommonsEXAMINER: Identifies a primary function of the Speaker, which is all the single mark requires. and ensure that MPs follow parliamentary rules.
Instead of writing: they are the boss of the governmentEXAMINER: Factually wrong: the Speaker is politically impartial and does not run the government.
One main difference is that the Prime Minister is a politician who leads the government and makes political decisionsEXAMINER: Sets out one side of the first difference., whereas the Monarch is politically neutralEXAMINER: Gives the other side. A difference question only scores fully when both sides are stated.. The Monarch cannot publicly share their political opinions or pass laws themselves. Another difference is how they get their position. The Prime Minister is an elected MP chosen by their partyEXAMINER: Opens a second difference about how each one reaches the role., while the Monarch inherits their role as head of stateEXAMINER: Completes the second difference by contrasting inheritance with election. and performs largely ceremonial duties like giving Royal Assent.
Instead of writing: the Prime Minister makes laws but the King doesn't do anythingEXAMINER: Inaccurate, because it ignores the Monarch's ceremonial duties such as granting Royal Assent.
One feature of devolution is that powers are transferred from the UK Parliament in Westminster to national bodies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern IrelandEXAMINER: Defines what devolution is and names where powers go.. Secondly, these devolved bodies control local issues such as health and educationEXAMINER: Gives specific devolved policy areas rather than a general claim.. Finally, the UK Parliament keeps control over reserved matters like defence and foreign policyEXAMINER: Names the limit on devolution, which is a distinct third feature..
Instead of writing: Scotland makes all its own laws nowEXAMINER: Factually wrong: Westminster retains reserved matters such as defence and foreign policy.
The jury system is used so that a defendant is judged fairly by a group of their peers rather than a single judgeEXAMINER: States the principle of trial by peers, earning the first mark.. It also ensures that ordinary citizens are involved in the justice system, which helps maintain public confidenceEXAMINER: A separate reason about public trust rather than a restatement of fairness..
Instead of writing: it is cheaper than paying a judgeEXAMINER: Factually wrong: jury trials are more expensive and slower than trial by a judge alone.
Firstly, young offenders have their cases heard in a Youth Court rather than a standard Magistrates' CourtEXAMINER: Names the specific court, which is more precise than saying a different court is used.. Secondly, the public are not allowed in and media reporting is strictly restricted to protect the young person's identityEXAMINER: Identifies reporting restrictions and gives the reason for them.. Finally, their sentences focus much more heavily on rehabilitation rather than just punishmentEXAMINER: A third distinct difference, about the purpose of sentencing..
Instead of writing: they don't get sent to prisonEXAMINER: Inaccurate: young offenders can be sent to youth offender institutions for serious offences.
One benefit of using a tribunal is that the process is much less formal and usually quicker than a traditional courtEXAMINER: Identifies the advantage, earning the first mark.. This means a claimant can often represent themselves without needing to pay for an expensive solicitorEXAMINER: Explains the practical consequence for the claimant, earning the second., keeping costs low.
Instead of writing: you are guaranteed to win your caseEXAMINER: Factually wrong: tribunals weigh evidence impartially and claimants can lose.
Correct Answer: B
Integration is a two-way process of adaptation, unlike assimilation (option C). No mark for any other option.
Up to 2 marks per reason (1 mark for a valid reason, 1 further mark for development that explains how or why). Maximum 4 marks. Do not credit the same reason given twice in different words. Indicative content:
1 mark for identifying a valid way, 1 further mark for development explaining how or why it has that effect. Maximum 2 marks. A single point repeated without development scores 1. Indicative content:
1 mark for each of two acceptable points, maximum 2 marks. No development required. Do not credit the same point twice in different words. Accept any of:
1 mark for any one acceptable role. Accept any of:
Up to 2 marks per difference (1 mark for stating a difference, 1 further mark for development). Maximum 4 marks. Both sides of the comparison must be clear for the development mark. Indicative content:
1 mark each for any three acceptable points, maximum 3 marks. Each must be distinct; do not credit the same point twice in different words. Accept any of:
Correct Answer: A
Jury trial is a feature of the Crown Court only. No mark for any other option.
1 mark for each of two acceptable points, maximum 2 marks. No development required. Do not credit the same point twice in different words. Accept any of:
1 mark each for any three acceptable points, maximum 3 marks. Each must be distinct; do not credit the same point twice in different words. Accept any of:
1 mark for identifying a valid way, 1 further mark for development explaining how or why it has that effect. Maximum 2 marks. A single point repeated without development scores 1. Indicative content:
© 2025 GCSE Citizenship Podcasts. All Rights Reserved.