Ace A-Level Sociology with Smart Revision
Revise A-Level Sociology with practice on education, families, crime, beliefs, stratification, and sociological theory.
Content reviewed February 2026 · Aligned to current specifications
About A-Level Sociology
A-Level Sociology provides a systematic study of how society is structured and how social forces shape individual behaviour, identity, and life chances. You will examine topics such as education, families and households, crime and deviance, media, beliefs in society, and sociological research methods. The course challenges you to question taken-for-granted assumptions about the world and to evaluate competing theoretical perspectives.
Sociology is excellent preparation for degrees in sociology, social policy, criminology, social work, politics, and media studies. The critical thinking and essay-writing skills you develop are transferable to many careers. It also provides valuable context for understanding social issues, inequality, and policy debates.
Key challenges include learning to evaluate sociological perspectives (functionalism, Marxism, feminism, postmodernism, interactionism) critically rather than simply describing them, applying research methods knowledge to assess the reliability and validity of studies, and writing coherent, well-evidenced essays under timed conditions. Students who engage with current affairs and social debates tend to produce the most compelling work.
Topics Covered
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Exam-Style Questions
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Detailed Explanations
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Study Tips for Sociology
- ✓ For every topic, learn the position of each major sociological perspective (functionalist, Marxist, feminist, interactionist, New Right, postmodernist) and prepare evaluation points that compare them. Synoptic links between perspectives are essential for top grades.
- ✓ Learn key studies with specific details — researcher name, date, method, key findings, and at least one evaluation point. For example, Bowles and Gintis (1976) used questionnaire data to argue that education corresponds to capitalist workplace values, but their Marxist framework can be criticised for being overly deterministic.
- ✓ Master the research methods vocabulary and be prepared to apply it to unfamiliar scenarios. Know the difference between reliability and validity, and between positivist and interpretivist approaches, and be able to evaluate any research method in context.
- ✓ Use point-evidence-analysis-evaluation paragraphs in all your written work. Every argument you make should include a sociological concept, supporting evidence from a named study or statistic, analysis of its significance, and a critical evaluation.
Exam Tips for A-Level Sociology
- ✓ In 10-mark outline and explain questions, develop two or three points in depth with sociological concepts and evidence rather than listing many undeveloped points. Quality matters more than quantity.
- ✓ For 30-mark essay questions, address the specific question asked — do not simply write everything you know about a topic. Structure your essay around the question, with each paragraph directly addressing the claim or statement you have been given.
- ✓ Apply relevant contemporary examples alongside classic sociological studies. Referencing current statistics on educational achievement gaps or recent changes in family structures demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and impresses examiners.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Useful Resources
Sociology at other levels: GCSE Sociology · International A-Level Sociology
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