Edexcel A-Level Politics | Paper 2 | 2027 Predicted Paper | Question 2(b) Mark Scheme
Question 2 Mark Scheme
Question 2 is a 30-mark non-source essay, worth 10 marks each for AO1, AO2 and AO3. “Evaluate the view that…” requires students to develop arguments both supporting and challenging the proposition, analyse the relative strength of those arguments, and reach a reasoned judgement. Pearson suggests approximately 45 minutes for the response.
Unlike Question 1, this is not source-based. Students must use their own knowledge, and there is a synoptic requirement to make relevant links to Component 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas. Pearson states that an answer without any synoptic points cannot reach Level 5, while an answer that does not consider both sides in a balanced way cannot progress beyond Level 2.
Levels of response
Level | Marks | Characteristics |
Level 1 | 1–6 | Limited knowledge, weak analysis, simplistic evaluation and few or no useful connections between ideas. |
Level 2 | 7–12 | Some accurate knowledge and emerging analysis, but arguments and judgements are uneven or only partly supported. |
Level 3 | 13–18 | Mostly accurate knowledge, generally focused analysis, relevant synoptic material and some substantiated judgements. |
Level 4 | 19–24 | Accurate and carefully selected knowledge, coherent analysis, effective synoptic connections and mostly substantiated evaluation. |
Level 5 | 25–30 | Thorough and effectively selected knowledge, perceptive and sustained analysis, effective synoptic links and consistently substantiated judgements leading to a fully focused conclusion. |
Pearson's current guidance confirms these five mark bands and recommends an essential conclusion, with interim or mini-conclusions helping students maximise AO3.
Question 2(b)
Question
Evaluate the view that Royal Prerogative powers are the most important source of power available to the UK executive.
Students need to compare prerogative powers with the other sources of executive power explicitly identified by the specification, especially the initiation of legislation, secondary legislation, policy making and control of the government's political programme. Simply describing examples of prerogative powers is not enough.
The specification explicitly identifies the executive's main powers as including Royal Prerogative powers, initiation of legislation and secondary legislative power. It also identifies the executive's roles in proposing legislation, proposing the budget and making policy decisions within the law and budget.
Indicative content
Arguments supporting the view
Prerogative powers can be exercised without needing prior parliamentary legislation.
Commons Library defines prerogative powers as legal powers that do not require parliamentary authority for their existence or exercise.
Most are now exercised by ministers or by the monarch on ministerial advice.
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