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AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

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June series Large entry almost entirely first time candidates. Lack of experience in this paper evident and markers were instructed to bear this in mind.

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Page 1: AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

AS SociologySY4 feedback 2010

Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

Page 2: AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

SY4

• SY4 is demanding in terms of the

range of skills required and the breadth of knowledge.

• It is a longer exam• It is accessible yet challenging

Page 3: AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

June series

• Large entry almost entirely first time candidates.

• Lack of experience in this paper evident and markers were instructed to bear this in mind.

Page 4: AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

Compulsory section

• Answers to question a were mixed• The best answers were clearly

contextualised• Some answers merely listed the

strengths of non participant observation

• Some candidates ignored the non participant element and this disadvantages them

Page 5: AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

Compulsory section• Many candidates produced research

designs that were logical and clearly justified.

• However a significant number ignored the request for qualitative data and produced rehearsed “cover all” type answers. This is to be avoided

• Designs often lost focus and context and some made only cursory references to methodological issues.

Page 6: AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

Options• Both options were popular and in

both there were some excellent answers

• Some lack of experience and confusion was evident in the part a questions and this was accounted for in the marking.

• However there were obvious gaps in knowledge and this should be fairly easy to rectify with careful preparation and planning.

Page 7: AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

Options.......part b questions• As in other modules many candidates

continue to argue for the view in the question rather than debate the view. Consequently they are very unlikely to achieve band 4 marks in either domain. Adopting this approach also means that they have failed to respond to the command words in the question.

• Clear understanding of command words is a pre requisite of success

Page 8: AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

Improving performance

• Learn key terms – these are the focus of questions

• Read the questions carefully, noting commands and debates.

• Plan answers following clear and logical order (use opening/ closing gambits to flag up skills)

• Remain focussed throughout• Write a concluding paragraph

Page 9: AS Sociology SY4 feedback 2010 Principal Examiner Barbara Greenall

For further information, please contact the subject officer at the WJEC

Joanna Lewis245 Western AvenueCardiffCF5 2YX

[email protected]