A/B/C Grade Examples
These performance descriptions show the level of attainment characteristic of the grade boundaries at A Level. They give a general indication of the required learning outcomes at the A/B and E/U boundaries at AS and A2.
AS Performance Descriptions/grade boundaries
Assessment Objective 1 and 2
Knowledge and understanding of the theories, methods, concepts and various forms of evidence
A/B boundary performance descriptions
Candidates characteristically:
a) demonstrate accurate knowledge and understanding of a range of sociological theories, methods and concepts, supported by evidence
b) present appropriate material in a logical,accurate and coherent manner, with few errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Candidates characteristically:
a) demonstrate an ability to select, apply and interpret, accurately and appropriately, different types of sociological evidence from a range of sources
b) make some analysis and evaluation of evidence and arguments that have relevance to the question paper.
E/U boundary performance descriptions
Candidates characteristically:
a) demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, methods and concepts with limited evidence
b) present some sociological material with limited coherence and some errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Candidates characteristically:
a) demonstrate a limited ability to select, apply and interpret different types of sociological evidence
b) make a limited analysis and evaluation of evidence and arguments
A2 Performance Descriptions/grade examples
Knowledge and understanding of the theories, methods, concepts and various forms of evidence
A/B boundary performance descriptions
Candidates characteristically:
a) demonstrate full, detailed, accurate and wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, methods and concepts and the connections between them, citing wide ranging evidence
b) present sociological material in a logical and coherent manner, where spelling, grammar and punctuation are largely accurate.
Candidates characteristically:
a) demonstrate an ability to select, apply and interpret, accurately and appropriately, different types of sociological evidence from a wide range of diverse sources
b) make detailed and accurate analysis and evaluation of sociological evidence and arguments on a variety of issues that are highly relevant to the question paper.
E/U boundary performance descriptions
Candidates characteristically:
a) demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, methods and concepts, with some limited evidence of understanding of the connections between them, supported by
some evidence
b) present some sociological material that displays a basic structure with limited coherence and some errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Candidates characteristically:
a) demonstrate a basic ability to select, apply and interpret different types of sociological evidence from a limited range of sources
b) make basic analysis and evaluation of evidence and arguments that have some relevance to the question paper.
