The Examiner's Perspective: May/June 2024 Analysis
The May/June 2024 series for Sociology (9699) Papers 1 and 2 presented a balanced but challenging set of papers. Paper 1 (Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research) and Paper 2 (The Family) tested core foundational concepts with a mix of highly accessible conceptual questions and demanding evaluative essays.
Where the Marks Are Won or Lost
In Paper 1, the distinction between validity and reliability remains the primary battleground. Question 5 forced students to evaluate questionnaires specifically through the lens of validity. High-scoring candidates successfully distinguished between positivist arguments (which champion reliability, representativeness, and objectivity) and interpretivist critiques (which focus on the imposition problem and lack of depth). In Paper 2, the focus shifted to domestic policies, marriage trends, and the critical role of grandparents. Marks were easily lost on Question 2(a) by candidates who failed to link marriage decline directly to sociological concepts like individualisation, secularisation, or genderquake.
Common Examiner Pitfalls
Examiners highlighted several key areas where candidates missed vital marks:
- Asymmetrical Explanations: In multi-part explanation questions (such as Q2a and Q2b on both papers), candidates often wrote an excellent first point but failed to develop the second point to the same depth.
- Descriptive Juxtaposition: On the 26-mark essay questions (Q4 and Q5), weaker responses tended to present side-by-side descriptive blocks of functionalist, Marxist, or feminist views without explicitly evaluating the core premise of the prompt.
- Key Term Confusion: Confusing validity (truthfulness/accuracy) with reliability (consistency/replicability) in the methods questions remains a pervasive issue.
Strategic Advice & Preparation
To secure top-band marks, candidates must practice structural essay planning. A high-scoring response should structure its evaluation using the PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) method, ensuring that every paragraph actively addresses the essay prompt. For Paper 1, solidify your understanding of research methods by pairing each method with its corresponding theoretical perspective (e.g., questionnaires with Positivism, unstructured interviews with Interpretivism). For Paper 2, keep up-to-date with contemporary trends, such as shifting age identities (e.g., Postman's 'death of childhood' and Giddens' 'third age') and the diversifying roles of extended family members.
Future Outlook & Predictions
Given the heavy emphasis on traditional perspectives and structural inequalities in this series, future exams are highly likely to pivot toward postmodern views of family diversity and the fluid nature of the life course. Additionally, keep a close eye on the ethical debates surrounding research methods, as this remains an area ripe for testing in upcoming Paper 1 cycles.