AS & A Level Sociology 9699 · Topic 5

Education and society: past paper questions

73 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: Explain, Describe, Evaluate

Real questions on education and society

The newest 20 of 73 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

9699/12 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[10]
Explain this view.
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9699/12 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[6]
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. Section B Answer one question in this section. EITHER
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9699/21 · May/June 2026 · Q4[26]
Evaluate the view that the distinction between childhood and adulthood has become less clear. Or
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9699/31 · May/June 2026 · Q4[26]
Evaluate the view that the purpose of education is to provide economic benefits for society.
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9699/33 · May/June 2026 · Q1[4]
Describe two ways that streaming may have a negative impact on a pupil’s education.
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9699/32 · February/March 2026 · Q1[4]
Describe two ways schools promote value consensus.
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9699/32 · February/March 2026 · Q2[8]
Explain two ways the interests of the powerful can influence the curriculum.
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9699/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1[4]
Describe two ways ethnicity can influence the experience of childhood in the family.
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9699/22 · October/November 2025 · Q1[4]
Describe two ways the family supports capitalism.
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9699/23 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[6]
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. Section B Answer one question in this section. EITHER
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9699/11 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[10]
Explain this view.
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9699/11 · May/June 2025 · Q3b[6]
Using sociological material, give one argument against this view. Section B Answer one question in this section. EITHER
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9699/22 · February/March 2025 · Q2a[8]
Explain two ways the family supports capitalism.
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9699/22 · February/March 2025 · Q2b[6]
Explain two strengths of Marxist views of the family.
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9699/23 · October/November 2024 · Q2a[8]
Explain two ways women in the family play an important role in maintaining capitalism.
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9699/23 · October/November 2024 · Q2b[6]
Explain one strength and one limitation of Marxist feminist views of the family.
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9699/23 · October/November 2024 · Q4[26]
Evaluate functionalist explanations of the role of the family. OR
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9699/31 · May/June 2024 · Q1[4]
Describe two ways that schools disadvantage boys.
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9699/31 · May/June 2024 · Q2[8]
Explain two reasons why cultural differences between ethnic groups may affect their educational attainment.
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9699/33 · May/June 2024 · Q1[4]
Describe two ways the hidden curriculum can contribute to social cohesion.
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What examiners said

Comprehensive responses • Many candidates could give two examples of a school process, such as assemblies, examinations, respect for teachers or school rules. • Full answers made a clear link to how each of these relates to value consensus, such as by referring to patriotism, universalistic values or respect for authority. Limited responses • Some candidates needed to identify a specific school p...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9699/32 Q1 (Cambridge)

Comprehensive responses • The majority of candidates were able to identify two ways in which the interests of the powerful can influence the curriculum. • Common responses related to academic knowledge being given higher status, cultural capital, and the correspondence principle. • Most candidates were able to provide relevant sociological material to support these, such as Young, Bowles and Ginti...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9699/32 Q2 (Cambridge)

Candidates should be encouraged to construct their responses in a clear and structured way: - Identified point. - Point then explained. - Relevant supporting sociological material (e.g. concept, study, social policy, theoretical approach). - Application of this material to demonstrate the original point made. It would be beneficial for candidates to adopt this approach as it would help focus the...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9699/22 Q2(a) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise education and society

In the syllabus

5.1 Theories about the role of education

Functionalist views about how education contributes to value consensus and social solidarity.
Education and role allocation.
Marxist views about how education contributes to the maintenance of the capitalist economic system.
Education as an instrument of ideological control and cultural reproduction.
New Right and social democratic views on the relationship between education and the economy.

5.2 Education and social mobility

Equal opportunity and the idea of meritocracy.
The extent to which education systems are meritocratic today.
The importance of education in influencing life chances, and the consequences of educational under- achievement for the individual and for society.
Evidence and arguments about the links between education and social mobility.

5.3 Influences on the curriculum

The social construction of knowledge.
Factors influencing the content of the curriculum, including power, status, culture, economic demands, and gender.
Education and cultural reproduction, including the ethnocentric curriculum, the gendered curriculum, and the hidden curriculum.
The curriculum and the concept of cultural capital.

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