Education: past paper questions
Real questions on education
The newest 20 of 222 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0495/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(i)[2]
homeschooling
See it on the paper → - 0495/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]
formal education.
See it on the paper → - 0495/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[2]
Give two examples of gender hierarchy in schools.
See it on the paper → - 0495/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[6]
Describe three features of progressive schooling.
See it on the paper → - 0495/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2d[6]
Explain three ways schools prepare students for the workplace.
See it on the paper → - 0495/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2e[8]
Discuss why state schools are criticised. Your answer should include: • at least three developed points with evidence.
See it on the paper → - 0495/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2f[14]
Evaluate the view that all ethnic groups are given equal opportunities in schools. Your answer should include: • at least three arguments for and three arguments against • a conclusion. Crime, deviance and social control
See it on the paper → - 0495/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(i)[2]
gendered curriculum
See it on the paper → - 0495/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]
pro-school sub-culture.
See it on the paper → - 0495/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[2]
State two linguistic factors that can affect educational experience.
See it on the paper → - 0495/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[6]
Describe three features of the official curriculum.
See it on the paper → - 0495/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2d[6]
Explain three ways education is meritocratic.
See it on the paper → - 0495/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2e[8]
Discuss the limitations of the Marxist view of education. Your answer should include: • at least three developed points with evidence.
See it on the paper → - 0495/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2f[14]
Evaluate the view that material factors have the most influence on educational achievement. Your answer should include: • at least three arguments for and three arguments against • a conclusion. Crime, deviance and social control
See it on the paper → - 0495/23 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(i)[2]
role model
See it on the paper → - 0495/23 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[2]
international school.
See it on the paper → - 0495/23 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[2]
State two strengths of homeschooling.
See it on the paper → - 0495/23 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[6]
Explain three ways in-school factors can affect educational achievement.
See it on the paper → - 0495/23 · October/November 2025 · Q2d[6]
Explain three roles of education.
See it on the paper → - 0495/23 · October/November 2025 · Q2e[8]
Discuss the limitations of faith schools. Your answer should include: • at least three developed points with evidence.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The majority of candidates explained what selective education meant by reference to ability, fees, gender, etc. Most candidates referred to schools selecting who can study there but answers referring to streaming were also accepted.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0495/21 Q2(a) (Cambridge)
This question was well answered with candidates clearly understanding the ‘hidden curriculum’. Common answers typically referred to hierarchies, socialisation and sanctions and rewards. Answers were also sometimes linked to theories such as feminism and Marxism.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0495/21 Q2(b) (Cambridge)
This question was accessible and most candidates addressed it with some degree of success. Peer pressure and anti/pro-school sub-cultures were frequently discussed. The best answers remained focused on the ‘educational achievement’ part of the question but in a number of answers seen this was not the case, resulting in lower marks. At times, candidates did not separate out their points into paragr...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0495/21 Q2(c) (Cambridge)
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