Edexcel A-Level Politics | Paper 2 | 2026 Predicted Paper | Question 1 Mark Scheme
Both parts of Question 1 are 30-mark source questions, divided equally between AO1, AO2 and AO3, 10 marks each. “Evaluate” requires students to analyse the competing arguments in the source, compare them directly and make supported judgements. A 30-mark response should therefore be a sustained, balanced essay rather than a series of separate source points.
Crucially, Edexcel states that AO2 and AO3 must arise from the political information in the source. Own knowledge can develop and exemplify arguments already present in the source for AO1, but students should not introduce a completely new argument and then analyse or evaluate that instead. A response without comparative analysis, or without balanced consideration of both views, cannot progress beyond Level 2.
The relevant specification requires students to understand Parliament's interaction with the executive, including backbenchers, select committees, the opposition and ministerial question time, as well as the relative effectiveness of Parliament and the executive in their relationship.
Levels of response
Level | Marks | Characteristics |
Level 1 | 1–6 | Superficial knowledge, limited comparison, largely descriptive evaluation and weak conclusions. |
Level 2 | 7–12 | Some accurate knowledge and some comparison, but analysis is uneven and judgements are only partly supported. |
Level 3 | 13–18 | Mostly accurate knowledge, mostly focused comparisons and generally effective evaluation, with some supported judgements. |
Level 4 | 19–24 | Accurate, carefully selected knowledge, consistent comparative analysis and mostly substantiated judgements leading to focused conclusions. |
Level 5 | 25–30 | Thorough knowledge, perceptive and sustained comparative analysis, and consistently substantiated evaluation leading to a fully focused and justified conclusion. |
Question 1(a)
Question
Using the source, evaluate the view that Parliament remains an effective check on the power of the executive.
The student needs to decide how convincing the source's arguments are on both sides. Strong answers should pair arguments directly, for example parliamentary voting power against executive control of a majority, rather than writing one half of the essay about Parliament and the other half about the executive.
Indicative content
The following is indicative rather than exhaustive. Other arguments should receive credit where they are valid, relevant and clearly rooted in the source.
Arguments supporting the view that Parliament remains an effective check
Parliament can defeat or constrain the government.
The source argues that the executive needs sufficient support in the House of Commons to implement its programme.
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