Edexcel A-Level Politics | Paper 1 | 2027 Predicted Paper | Question 3(a) Mark Scheme
Question 3 Mark Scheme
Questions 3(a) and 3(b) are 24-mark Core Political Ideas essays. The command “To what extent…” requires students to compare areas of agreement and disagreement within the ideology and reach a sustained judgement about which is more significant. Students must use appropriate named thinkers from the specification, and the 24 marks are divided equally between AO1, AO2 and AO3, 8 marks each.
Pearson's current guidance is especially important here: stronger answers should be strand driven rather than thinker driven. Thinkers should support the comparison between ideological strands, rather than becoming five separate mini-biographies. Students who do not use named specification thinkers, or who consider only one side, cannot progress beyond Level 2.
Level | Marks | Indicative characteristics |
Level 1 | 1–4 | Limited knowledge, little relevant comparison and weak or unsupported judgement. |
Level 2 | 5–9 | Some accurate knowledge, but comparison or balance is limited and judgements are only partially supported. |
Level 3 | 10–14 | Mostly accurate knowledge with some effective comparison of similarities and differences. Evaluation is present but uneven. |
Level 4 | 15–19 | Accurate and relevant knowledge, sustained comparative analysis and mostly substantiated judgements. |
Level 5 | 20–24 | Thorough knowledge, perceptive comparison between strands and sustained evaluation leading to a focused judgement about the extent of agreement or disagreement. |
Pearson advises students to make mini-conclusions throughout and says a conclusion is essential because AO3 requires an overall judgement.
Question 3(a), Liberalism
To what extent do classical liberals and modern liberals disagree over the meaning of freedom?(24 marks)
Students should compare classical and modern liberal understandings of freedom, rather than writing a general essay on liberalism. The central distinction is between negative freedom, associated with limiting external interference, and positive freedom, associated with helping individuals fulfil their potential. However, students must also recognise the substantial common liberal commitment to individual liberty.
The specification makes individualism and freedom defining liberal principles. It distinguishes classical liberalism, which sees freedom as best protected by a minimal state, from modern liberalism, which developed because freedom could no longer simply mean being left alone.
Indicative content
Arguments suggesting significant disagreement
Students may explain that classical liberals tend towards negative freedom:
Freedom is primarily the absence of external constraints and unnecessary interference.
Individuals should have a substantial private sphere in which they can make their own decisions.
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