How to Achieve an A* in A-Level Politics

A-Level Politics is a subject that demands critical thinking, analytical writing, and the ability to engage with contemporary political issues. To achieve an A*, you must demonstrate a deep understanding of political systems, theories, ideologies, and current affairs, and communicate your insights clearly and persuasively in well-structured essays.

This guide outlines the essential strategies, skills, and resources you will need to maximise your potential and secure top marks in A-Level Politics.

Understand the Specification in Detail

The first step in achieving an A* is to have a thorough understanding of the content and assessment structure set out by your exam board (e.g., AQA or Edexcel).

Action Points:

Download your exam board’s specification and become familiar with the three components:

• For Edexcel: UK Politics, UK Government, Comparative Politics (USA or Global), and Core Political Ideologies.
• Identify the key themes, thinkers, institutions, and ideologies within each topic.
• Understand the different assessment objectives (AO1 – knowledge and understanding, AO2 – analysis, AO3 – evaluation).

Use the specification as a checklist to guide your revision and ensure complete topic coverage.

Build Strong and Up-to-Date Political Knowledge

Examiners expect you to support your arguments with relevant and recent examples. Keeping abreast of current political developments is essential.

Strategies:

• Regularly read quality news sources such as The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, or BBC News.
• Watch Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), election coverage, and key political speeches.
• Follow political podcasts
• Create a political journal or news log where you summarise major developments and key debates.

Examples must be accurate, relevant, and recent,  particularly for questions that assess the effectiveness of institutions or the impact of events such as general elections or Supreme Court rulings.

Master the Core Political Content

Key Topics (based on Edexcel A-Level Politics):

• UK Politics: Democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour.
• UK Government: The constitution, Parliament, Prime Minister and Cabinet, the judiciary, devolution.
• Political Ideologies: Conservatism, liberalism, socialism (plus nationalism, feminism, anarchism depending on your optional unit).
• Comparative Politics: The US system of government (federalism, Congress, presidency, judiciary, rights), or global politics.

Revision Techniques:

• Create concise summary notes for each topic and subtopic.
• Use tables to compare and contrast systems (e.g., Parliament vs Congress).
• Make flashcards of key thinkers, ideologies, case studies, and definitions.
• Create timelines for events such as Brexit, constitutional reform, and major US elections.

A-Level Politics requires not just factual recall, but the ability to synthesise content across topics, for example comparing powers of the UK Prime Minister and US President.

Focus on Essay Writing and Exam Technique

Essay writing is the single most important skill in A-Level Politics. To achieve an A*, your essays must go beyond knowledge and demonstrate critical evaluation, balance, and coherence.

Essay Structure:

Introduction: Define key terms, identify the question’s focus, outline your line of argument.

Main Body: Organise into clear, well-developed paragraphs.

• Each paragraph should contain a point, evidence (e.g., facts, examples, theories), analysis, and evaluation.
• Include counterarguments and rebuttals to demonstrate critical engagement.

Conclusion: Return to the question and provide a clear judgement supported by your analysis.

Top Tips:

• Use political vocabulary and terminology accurately (e.g., “judicial review”, “mandate theory”, “pluralism”).
• Plan before writing, even a 3-minute plan can help maintain focus.
• Aim for balance, address both sides of an argument before reaching a conclusion.
• Include a range of contemporary examples to support your points.

Understand and Apply Political Theorists and Ideologies

Your knowledge of ideologies and key thinkers must go beyond surface definitions. You should be able to explain their ideas, apply them to real-world politics, and critically evaluate them.

Examples of Key Thinkers:

• Conservatism: Edmund Burke, Michael Oakeshott, Robert Nozick.
• Liberalism: John Locke, John Stuart Mill, Mary Wollstonecraft, John Rawls.
• Socialism: Karl Marx, Rosa Luxemburg, Beatrice Webb, Anthony Crosland.
• Optional Ideologies: e.g., nationalism (Rousseau, Maurras), feminism (bell hooks, de Beauvoir).

Use your theorists to strengthen your arguments. Avoid simply name-dropping; instead, explain how their ideas support or challenge particular policies or political developments.

Make Full Use of Past Papers and Mark Schemes All available Politics past papers can be found on Revision World. 

Practising exam questions is essential for developing exam technique and time management.

How to Use Past Papers Effectively:

• Practise full essays under timed conditions.
• Use mark schemes and examiners’ reports to understand what top-level answers include.
• Identify the command words in each question (e.g., ‘evaluate’, ‘to what extent’, ‘analyse’) and practise tailoring your responses accordingly.
• Create model plans for common essay questions to build confidence and speed.

Aim to write at least one full essay per week in the final months before your exam.

Revise Actively and Strategically

Avoid passive revision (simply reading notes) and instead use active learning techniques to reinforce understanding.

Active Revision Techniques:

• Teach topics to others or summarise aloud to yourself.
• Use mind maps to link ideas, ideologies, and political institutions.
• Complete quizzes on key dates, concepts, and thinkers.
• Record summaries of topics and listen back during revision breaks.

Space out your revision and interleave topics to help long-term retention.

Manage Your Time and Mindset

Top grades require not only academic preparation but also good time management and exam confidence.

In the Run-Up to Exams:

• Create a revision timetable with time blocked out for different units. 
• Alternate between content revision and essay practice.
• Use examiners' reports to see where students commonly lose marks.

On the Day:

• Read each question carefully and plan briefly before writing.
• Stick to the allocated time per question (e.g., 30–35 minutes for a 30-mark essay).
• Remain calm, stick to your structure and focus on clarity and evidence.

Final Tips from A* Students

• “Know your case studies, but know how to use them in argument, not just list them.”
• “Balance is key. Show both sides of an issue, then explain why one is stronger.”
• “Keep up with the news. You’ll have fresher and more relevant examples than other students.”
• “Make your own notes. It helps you process and personalise the content.”