Guidance

Sociology: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

Updated 6 September 2017

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2017

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grade-descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1/sociology-grade-descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1

1. Grade 8

To achieve grade 8, candidates will be able to:

  • demonstrate relevant and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a wide range of sociological theories and concepts, different sociological perspectives, evidence, and methods
  • apply relevant sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods accurately to UK contexts and some global contexts using a wide range of subject specific terminology
  • critically analyse and evaluate a range of information and evidence, constructing a sustained line of reasoning that leads to informed arguments, substantiated judgements and well-evidenced conclusions about contemporary social life

2. Grade 5

To achieve grade 5, candidates will be able to:

  • demonstrate mostly accurate and appropriate knowledge and understanding of a range of sociological theories and concepts, different sociological perspectives, evidence, and methods

  • apply mostly appropriate sociological theories, concepts, evidence, and methods to UK contexts and some global contexts using some appropriate subject specific terminology

  • analyse and carry out some evaluation of information and evidence, constructing an appropriate line of reasoning that leads to plausible arguments, judgements and conclusions, which are supported by some evidence, about contemporary social life

3. Grade 2

To achieve grade 2, candidates will be able to:

  • demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of some sociological theories and concepts, different sociological perspectives, evidence, and methods
  • apply, in a limited way, basic sociological theories and concepts, evidence, and methods to familiar UK contexts using everyday language
  • describe information and make generalised arguments and simple judgements about contemporary social life
Back to top