CAIE A Level 9699

Sociology 2025 · May/June · Paper 32

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This CAIE A Level Sociology Paper 32 focuses on key education topics such as gender and schooling, ethnicity and attainment, intelligence and testing, and the role of education in creating value consensus. Students can expect structured essay-style questions that ask them to describe, explain, and evaluate sociological ideas rather than multiple-choice or calculation questions.…

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Questions & Model Answers 4 Qs

Q1
Short Answer 4 marks
Describe two ways schools can be seen as feminised.
Schools can be seen as feminised because they may reward traits such as obedience, neatness, and cooperation, which are often associated with femininity.
One valid way schools may be feminised is through the emphasis on behaviour and qualities linked to femininity.
Schools can be seen as feminised because the curriculum, teaching styles, or school culture may favour girls' ways of learning and communication over boys'.
Another valid way is that school practices may be structured in ways that advantage girls or feminine norms.
Q2
Short Answer 8 marks
Explain two ways racism can affect attainment in schools.
Racism can lower attainment through teacher labelling and expectations, where minority ethnic pupils are seen as less able or more disruptive, leading to less encouragement and fewer opportunities.
Negative labelling can become a self-fulfilling prophecy and reduce achievement.
Racism can affect attainment through institutional discrimination, such as biased disciplinary practices, streaming, or exclusion, which can limit access to higher sets and qualifications.
Institutional racism can directly reduce educational opportunities and outcomes.
Q3
Structured 12 marks
'IQ tests are a fair measure of educational ability.' Using sociological material, give two arguments against this view.
IQ tests are culturally biased and may reflect the language, values, and experiences of the dominant culture rather than true educational ability.
A common sociological criticism is that IQ tests do not measure ability fairly across different social and cultural groups.
IQ tests measure only a narrow range of abilities and ignore other important forms of intelligence, such as creativity, practical skills, and emotional intelligence.
This argues that IQ tests are not a full or fair measure of educational potential.
Q4
Essay 26 marks
Evaluate the view that education contributes to value consensus.
Education may contribute to value consensus by transmitting shared norms, values, and beliefs through the hidden curriculum, national curriculum, and socialisation into common standards of behaviour.
This supports the view by showing how education can promote shared values.
Functionalists argue that education creates social solidarity by teaching a common culture and preparing individuals to cooperate in wider society.
Functionalist theory is a key argument for education contributing to value consensus.
However, education may not create value consensus because different social groups experience schooling differently, and the curriculum may reflect the values of dominant groups rather than society as a whole.
This challenges the view by suggesting education can reproduce inequality and conflict rather than consensus.
Marxists and feminists argue that education can promote ruling-class or patriarchal values, meaning it may create false consensus rather than genuine shared agreement.
This evaluation point shows that apparent consensus may mask domination by powerful groups.
Paper Details
Board CAIE
Level A Level
Subject Sociology
Code 9699
Year 2025
Session May/June
Paper No. Paper 32
Q&A 4 questions
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