How To Get An A Or A* In A-level Politics
A-level Politics is one of the most engaging and challenging subjects offered in the United Kingdom. Covering everything from political ideologies and key thinkers to the structure of government and global politics, it demands both knowledge and analytical skill. According to FFT Education (2024), only 28.4% of students achieved an A or A* in A-level Politics exams.
So what separates top-performing students from the rest?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to secure an A or A* in A-level Politics. From understanding your exam board and the course structure to answering essay questions with confidence. Not to mention, practising past papers effectively and building a high-impact revision strategy.
Whether you’re with Edexcel or AQA, or just looking for reliable help from a qualified Politics A-level Tutor, this article is packed with techniques to help you get the best grade possible.
Understand the A-Level Politics Exam Board
Before you can prepare effectively, you need to know how your exam board operates. While most A-level Politics students in the UK take either the Edexcel A-level Politics or AQA Government and Politics course, the structure and expectations vary between boards.
Edexcel vs AQA: What’s the difference?
| AQA | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Covers three core modules | Covers three core modules |
| Focus on UK politics, US politics, comparative politics, and ideologies | Political ideologies integrated across all modules |
| US politics only (no global politics option) | Offers choice between US or global politics |
| Each exam paper is 2 hours long | Each exam paper is 2 hours long |
| Each paper is marked out of 77 (total 231 marks) | Each paper is marked out of 84 (total 252 marks) |
Whichever exam board you follow, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the assessment structure, content focus, and types of questions you’ll face in each paper. While AQA and Edexcel differ slightly in their approach, both demand strong analytical skills, clear essay writing, and deep subject knowledge to achieve top grades.
Many students find that working with experienced Politics A Level Tutors Spires™ helps them bridge knowledge gaps, master exam techniques, and develop the confidence needed to perform at their best across all papers.
Assessment Objectives (AOs)
Regardless of your exam board, the four AOs will guide every mark you earn:
- AO1 – Knowledge and understanding of political systems and ideologies
- AO2 – Analysis of concepts and ideas
- AO3 – Evaluation and argument
-
AO4 – Communication: structure, clarity, paragraph coherence
Understanding how your exam is marked is just as important as understanding the content itself. A Spires A-Level Politics tutor can help you decode the marking criteria and identify the areas you need to improve on. Secure an A or A* in A-level Politics with expert, 1-to-1 lessons that are tailored to your schedule.
Outline of A Level Politics Course
The Politics course covers a broad range of topics across the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as aspects of global politics.
Core topics include:
- UK Politics – democracy, political participation, elections, political parties
- UK Government – the constitution, Parliament, the Prime Minister and executive
- US Politics & Comparative Politics – the presidency, Congress, federalism
- Political Ideologies – conservatism, liberalism, socialism (plus optional ideologies)
Political Theory and Key Thinkers
Understanding the theory behind each ideology is essential, but to truly excel, it must be connected to real-world politics. This is where key thinkers come in—they provide the foundational ideas that inform the content of your curriculum and shape your exam responses.
For example:
- Use examples from the US Congress or UK Parliament to support arguments about democracy, authority, or representation.
- Link an ideology (e.g. liberalism) to specific key thinkers like John Locke or John Rawls and show how their ideas influence both historical and contemporary current affairs.
Your examiner wants to see you explain how these thinkers influence political institutions or policy decisions. The more precisely you apply this information to real contexts, the stronger your essay will be.
To gain a thorough understanding of political systems, you’ll need to move beyond memorising textbook definitions. Instead, aim to analyse, compare, and apply these theories using critical thinking and structured essay writing. This approach will impress both your teacher and examiner and bring you closer to the highest grade available.
Remember: knowing the curriculum is one thing — familiarising yourself with how to use it in essays is what sets top students apart. And if you’re not sure how to integrate political ideas effectively, work with a Politics A-Level tutor from Spires™. Our experts will provide targeted feedback and expert advice tailored to your exam board.
Look at Politics A Level Grade Boundaries
Every A Level Politics student should understand how grade boundaries work. They shift slightly each year depending on national performance and exam difficulty.
Grade Boundaries (Edexcel Politics, June 2024)
| Grade | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3A | Paper 3B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A* | 59/84 | 60/84 | 58/84 | 61/84 |
| A | 52/84 | 53/84 | 51/84 | 54/84 |
Grade Boundaries (AQA Politics, June 2024)
| Grade | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A* | 58/77 | 50/77 | 60/77 |
| A | 50/77 | 40/77 | 53/77 |
- Edexcel students needed approximately 59–61 out of 84 marks across each paper to achieve an A*.
- For AQA, the threshold was slightly different, with around 58–60 out of 77 needed per paper.
- These tight margins show how every mark counts, especially when aiming for an A or A*.
If you’re studying A-Level Politics, use these benchmarks to guide your revision. They can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and decide which paper to prioritise. For example:
- You might score higher on Paper 1 but need to boost performance on Paper 3.
-
Or you may find source-based questions more challenging and need more practice in that format.
To access the top bands, you’ll need a solid understanding of the material, including political ideologies, case studies, and the core theories behind government systems. Our A-level Politics Tutors can help you achieve an A or A* with targeted strategies and personalised feedback.
Finally, don’t forget to stay up to date with grade boundaries and examiner reports each year. They offer valuable insights into how marks are awarded and what kinds of answers are rewarded. Being familiar with yearly shifts in standards can help you prepare more effectively and avoid last-minute surprises.
Practise Politics A-Level Past Papers
There’s no better way to prepare for your A-level Politics exam than by practising real past papers. Reviewing past paper questions helps you:
- Build confidence with the exam format
- Develop effective time management
- Improve how you approach answering questions under pressure.
- Apply your knowledge more precisely
- Recognise patterns in common essay questions
How to Practise Effectively:
- Attempt one timed past paper essay each week to simulate real exam conditions
- Annotate mark schemes to understand what earns top marks
- Read through the examiner’s reports to identify and avoid common mistakes
- Use past questions to create a structured list of essay plans
- Make use of high-quality revision resources alongside practice to reinforce knowledge
A-level Politics students who review and reflect on past exams consistently outperform those who simply revise content. For best results, hone your exam technique with an A-level Politics Tutor. Learn how to develop your analytical skills and essay writing through tailored lessons.
Revision Tips for A-Level Politics Students
Not all revision techniques are created equal. A* students revise strategically, using active methods that promote long-term memory and analytical skill.
What works:
- Flashcards: Use for key definitions, data, and concepts
- Seneca Learning: Complete topics before lessons to build prior knowledge
- Essay planning: Sketch outlines for 1–2 questions per week
- Past exam questions: Rotate weekly for full-paper practise
Revision schedule tip:
- Focus first on topics with low confidence or past weaknesses
- Use your exam board’s Politics specification as a checklist
- Space revision to prevent burnout and encourage reading comprehension
Revision Techniques to Avoid
Not all revision is effective, and some methods can actually hold you back from achieving top grades in A-Level Politics. If you’re aiming for an A or A*, it’s crucial to focus on quality over quantity when it comes to your revision sessions. Here are some common pitfalls that students should steer clear of.
Passive Reading Without Application
Simply rereading your textbook or class notes might feel productive, but it doesn’t build the kind of active recall needed in politics exams. You need to familiarise yourself with real exam conditions and test your ability to explain, evaluate, and compare.
Ignoring the Exam Specification
One major mistake is revising too broadly without aligning to your exam board’s requirements. The specification is your roadmap. It tells you exactly what political ideologies, thinkers, and concepts you’re expected to know. Ignoring it can lead to wasted time and missed marks.
Memorising Without Practising
Students who avoid practising past papers or essay questions often struggle under exam conditions. Writing under time pressure helps improve structure, argument development, and clarity.
Last-Minute Cramming
Trying to cram everything in the week before your A-level Politics exam rarely works. It leads to stress, burnout, and shallow learning. Instead, aim for consistent, spaced revision and regular self-testing throughout the term.
Whether you need to refine your essay technique, stay accountable, or break down complex ideologies, expert support is just a click away. A Politics A-Level Tutor can help you build your subject knowledge and every exam question you’ll face.
Online Resources for A-Level Politics
There’s no shortage of excellent online resources to help you revise for A level Politics exams and improve your understanding of political systems.
Recommended sites and platforms:
- BBC Politics – up-to-date reporting on UK political events
- The Guardian Politics – excellent for opinion and ideological debates
- Seneca Learning – interactive Politics revision (great for ideology & concept review)
- YouTube & Podcasts – search for “A-level Politics explained” for free video lessons
Answering Essay Questions in A-Level Politics Exams
Success in Politics A level exams depends heavily on your ability to write structured responses to essay questions under timed pressure.
How to approach an essay:
- Understand the question – define key terms and identify the debate
- Create a clear thesis – take a stance and outline your main argument
- Structure with clarity – each paragraph should build toward your conclusion
- Evaluate constantly – weigh evidence, consider counterarguments, reach a judgement
| Paragraph | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Intro | Define terms + state argument |
| Main 1 | First argument + evidence + evaluation |
| Main 2 | Counterargument + critique |
| Main 3 | Third perspective or deeper insight |
| Conclusion | Reaffirm stance with justified judgement |
Many students can explain, but few can evaluate well. Working with an Online Politics Tutor helps you strengthen this skill, ensuring your essays reach the top band. Prepare for A level Politics (or Politics and Government) with lessons from a qualified expert. 100% of our tutors are DBS-checked and have at least two years of teaching experience.
Find a Tutor for A Level Politics
Sometimes, the smartest move is to get personalised help. An A-level Politics Tutor from Spires can provide targeted support where you need it most — whether that’s revising ideology, mastering essay structure, or understanding exam technique.
When to seek help:
- You’re consistently scoring below your target grade
- Essay feedback is vague or inconsistent
- You struggle to stay motivated or manage time
- You’ve hit a plateau and don’t know how to improve
Why Spires?
- Flexible online lessons built around your schedule
- Guidance on past paper questions
- Deeper understanding of subject knowledge
- Help with time management skills
- In-depth essay feedback
-
Revision strategy planning
Frequently Asked Questions About A-Level Politics
Is it easy to get an A in A-Level Politics?
It’s not exactly easy, but getting an A in A-Level Politics is very achievable with the right exam preparation. The subject is rigorous, requiring critical thinking, essay writing, and a solid grasp of ideologies and political systems. But compared to subjects like Further Maths or Physics, many students find Politics more accessible —particularly those with strong writing skills and an interest in current affairs.
Success depends on your ability to:
- Understand and apply political theory (e.g. liberalism, conservatism)
- Answer exam questions with structured, evaluative arguments
- Use political knowledge to back up your points clearly and concisely
Working through past papers and reviewing mark schemes helps enormously. For personalised support, a Politics A-level Tutor can show you exactly how to bridge the gap between a B and an A.
How to do well in Politics A-Level?
Doing well in Politics A-Level means developing strong content knowledge and sharpening your analytical and essay-writing skills. The most successful students are strategic about how they revise and write under timed conditions.
To improve your performance:
- Follow the specification closely and make it your revision roadmap
- Do weekly practise essay plans, using questions from past papers
- Stay updated with UK and US current affairs to enrich your examples
You’ll also want to spend time on reading comprehension and evaluation, especially if you’re with Edexcel and facing source-based questions. You’ll need to build both the knowledge base and the critical writing skills needed to score highly.
How to get full marks in A-Level Politics?
To get full marks on an A-Level Politics question, you need precise, well-developed evaluation, a confident tone, and a logical essay structure. Full-mark responses are rare, but not impossible.
These essays typically:
- Present a balanced, well-structured argument
- Use a range of examples from the UK and US political systems
- Reference ideology and key thinkers appropriately
- Conclude with a clear judgment backed by analysis
Practising with past exam papers, studying examiner reports, and refining your writing with feedback are key. A Spires tutor can help mark mock essays and guide you towards full marks.
How to get an A star in Politics A-Level?
Getting an A* requires consistency. You need high marks across all papers, especially Paper 3, and a strong performance in analysis, evaluation, and communication. But it’s absolutely within reach for dedicated students.
To aim for an A*:
- Structure every essay clearly and argue each point with evidence
- Understand the ideologies, systems, and political theory deeply
- Reflect current affairs where appropriate to show wider understanding
Completing one full essay per week and reviewing your answers against the marking criteria can lead to rapid improvement. If you’re serious about an A*, polishing your technique to develop arguments is one of the most effective decisions you can make.
How to cram for A-Level Politics exams?
Cramming isn’t ideal for Politics, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. If you’re short on time, you need high-efficiency methods that target exam performance directly.
Here’s how to cram effectively:
- Focus on essay planning for common topics (like elections or political ideologies)
- Use flashcards to memorise definitions, thinkers, and key case studies
- Practise timed past papers, especially the essay sections
It’s also smart to read model answers and highlight what makes them effective. Even in a short timeframe, a Spires Politics tutor can help you prioritise what matters most and give you a fast-track path to exam success.
What is the easiest A-Level to get an A in?
No A-Level is “easy,” but Politics is often cited as more accessible than science-based subjects, especially for students with strong writing skills. If you enjoy debate, argument, and essay structure, Politics could be a strong choice.
That said, it still requires:
- Regular revision and essay practice
- Confidence with political systems in the UK and US
- A clear understanding of ideological debates
Politics might not rely on difficult formulas, but it does test your ability to think clearly, structure responses, and engage with complex ideas — all of which take practice.
How to get better at A-Level Politics?
Improving at Politics A-Level is all about identifying where you’re falling short and applying focused strategies. Whether it’s timing, essay clarity, or depth of evaluation, every student has growth areas.
Here’s how to level up:
- Revisit your weaker essays and rewrite them with improved structure
- Read the examiner’s reports to understand what top answers include
- Use flashcards to strengthen your memory of concepts and data
- Stay on top of current events to add real-world relevance
Most importantly, practise writing under timed conditions. Improvement comes with repetition—and with smart feedback. Spires Online Tutors can help you interpret feedback, polish essays, and build a consistent approach that aligns with exam board expectations.
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