GCSE

WJEC GCSE Sociology Revision

Adaptive practice aligned to the Welsh Joint Education Committee (Eduqas) specification. 8 topics, exam-style questions, and instant AI feedback.

Start Revising Free All Exam Boards

About WJEC GCSE Sociology

WJEC is the principal exam board in Wales and also offers qualifications in England under the Eduqas brand. Their specifications are known for accessible language and clear assessment objectives.

GCSE Sociology explores how society is structured and how social institutions — families, education, crime, and social stratification — shape our lives. You will learn about sociological theories, research methods, and the way factors like class, gender, and ethnicity influence opportunities and outcomes.

Topics in WJEC GCSE Sociology

1 Families

2 Education

3 Crime & Deviance

4 Social Stratification

5 Research Methods

6 Culture & Identity

7 Power & Politics

8 Sociological Theory

Study Tips for WJEC Sociology

For each topic, learn how to apply all the main perspectives (functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism). Create a grid showing what each perspective would say about education, the family, crime, etc. This makes comparison questions much easier.

Learn specific studies and sociologists for each topic — know the researcher name, date, method, and key findings. For example, for education, know that Bowles and Gintis argued that schools reproduce inequality through the hidden curriculum.

For research methods, practise evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of different methods (questionnaires, interviews, observation, experiments) using the concepts of reliability, validity, representativeness, and ethics.

Use real-world examples from the news to illustrate sociological concepts. Being able to link theory to current events shows the examiner that you truly understand the ideas rather than just memorising them.

Exam Tips for WJEC Sociology

For evaluation questions, do not just list points for and against. Develop each point by explaining why it strengthens or weakens the argument. Use phrases like however, this could be criticised because or a strength of this view is to structure your evaluation.

When asked to apply your knowledge to a source or item, explicitly refer to the material provided. Weave evidence from the source into your answer rather than just writing a generic response and mentioning the source at the end.

Define key terms when they appear in your answer. Starting with a clear definition of concepts like social class, patriarchy, or labelling demonstrates precise understanding and earns easy marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is GCSE Sociology assessed?

There are two written exam papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes. Paper 1 typically covers the sociology of families and education, and Paper 2 covers crime and deviance plus social stratification. Both include research methods questions.

Is GCSE Sociology hard?

Sociology requires strong essay-writing skills and the ability to evaluate different viewpoints. The content itself is accessible and interesting, but achieving high grades requires you to analyse and evaluate rather than just describe.

Do I need GCSE Sociology for A-Level Sociology?

Most sixth forms do not require the GCSE as a prerequisite. A strong English Language grade and good essay-writing skills are usually considered more important. However, having the GCSE gives you a useful head start.

What is the difference between Sociology and Psychology?

Sociology focuses on how society and social structures affect groups and individuals. Psychology focuses on the mind, brain, and individual behaviour. Sociology is more about the big picture of how society works, while Psychology zooms in on the individual.