How is Cambridge IGCSE Sociology assessed?

Two papers. Paper 1 (Research Methods, Identity and Inequality, 2 hours, 80 marks) is 50%. Paper 2 (Family, Education and Crime, 1h 45m, 80 marks) is 50%. Both sat at the end of the course.

What content is covered?

Paper 1: research methods, identity: self and society, social stratification and inequality (class, gender, ethnicity, age). Paper 2: family, education, crime/deviance/social control, teachers teach 2 of 3 topics; candidates answer questions on 2 of 3. All topics use global contexts alongside UK examples.

How much research methods?

Paper 1 Question 1 is a compulsory 40-mark question on Research methods, including data response. Learn questionnaires, interviews, observation, experiments, sampling, reliability, validity, ethics. Research methods knowledge is also useful across Paper 2 topics.

Which sociological perspectives are tested?

Four core perspectives: functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism. Each applies to all topics. Every essay rewards perspective application. Learn each perspective's key claims on family, education, crime, inequality.

How does this compare to UK GCSE Sociology?

Both cover core sociological topics. Cambridge IGCSE (0495) uses global contexts and treats Identity as a separate topic. UK GCSEs (AQA 8192) are UK-focused. Both are 2 written papers. Content depth is broadly comparable, though CIE lets teachers pick 2 of 3 topics for Paper 2.

Does Cognito cover Cambridge IGCSE Sociology?

Cognito has past papers and mark schemes for Cambridge IGCSE Sociology (0495). Use them for timed practice and check your answers against the official mark schemes as you go.

CIE GCSE Sociology (0495) Specification

Cambridge IGCSE Sociology (0495) is a single-tier linear qualification with two written papers, each 80 marks and worth 50% of the qualification. Paper 1 (2 hours) covers research methods, identity: self and society, and social stratification and inequality; Paper 2 (1h 45m) covers family, education and crime/deviance/social control (teachers teach 2 of 3; candidates answer questions on 2 of 3). All topics use a global lens with non-UK contexts alongside UK examples.

Download the official spec (PDF)

specification overview

1. Research methods
Paper 1
- Sociological approaches and procedures used in research
- Research methods: questionnaires, interviews, observations, experiments, secondary sources
- Sampling, reliability, validity, ethics; planning research on a specified topic
2. Identity: self and society
Paper 1
- Relationship between the individual and society; culture, values, norms, roles
- Primary and secondary socialisation
- Formation of identity by class, gender, ethnicity, age
3. Social stratification and inequality
Paper 1
- How societies are stratified; why inequalities exist
- Class, gender, ethnicity, age-based inequality; poverty and wealth, power, life chances
- Global perspectives on inequality
4. Family
Paper 2
- Types of family, family diversity globally
- Roles within the family, gender and power
- Family change: marriage, divorce, cohabitation
5. Education
Paper 2
- Role of education (functionalist, Marxist, feminist views)
- Educational achievement by class, gender, ethnicity
- In-school processes and educational reforms
6. Crime, deviance and social control
Paper 2
- Concepts of crime and deviance, social control
- Theories of crime (functionalist, subcultural, Marxist, feminist)
- Patterns and trends in crime globally

subject content

Paper	What's assessed	Length	Marks	Weight	Question types
Paper 1: Research Methods, Identity and Inequality	Research methods, identity: self and society, social stratification and inequality	2 hours	80	50%	Three questions each worth 40 marks; candidates answer two. Question 1 (Research methods) is compulsory and includes data response. Candidates choose either Question 2 (Identity) or Question 3 (Social stratification and inequality)
Paper 2: Family, Education and Crime	Family, education, crime/deviance/social control (teachers teach 2 of 3; candidates answer questions on 2 of 3)	1h 45m	80	50%	Candidates answer two optional structured questions from a choice of three

PaperPaper 1: Research Methods, Identity and Inequality

What's assessedResearch methods, identity: self and society, social stratification and inequality

Length2 hours

Marks80

Weight50%

Question typesThree questions each worth 40 marks; candidates answer two. Question 1 (Research methods) is compulsory and includes data response. Candidates choose either Question 2 (Identity) or Question 3 (Social stratification and inequality)

PaperPaper 2: Family, Education and Crime

What's assessedFamily, education, crime/deviance/social control (teachers teach 2 of 3; candidates answer questions on 2 of 3)

Length1h 45m

Marks80

Weight50%

Question typesCandidates answer two optional structured questions from a choice of three

CIE is global, questions use non-UK contexts (India, Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore) alongside UK examples. On Paper 2, teachers should teach 2 of the 3 topics (Family, Education, Crime); candidates answer questions on 2 of the 3 topics.

assessment structure

AO	What it means	Overall
AO1	Knowledge and understanding of sociological concepts, theories, evidence, views and research methods.	39%
AO2	Interpretation and application of sociological ideas.	39%
AO3	Analysis and evaluation of sociological arguments and evidence.	22%

AOAO1

What it meansKnowledge and understanding of sociological concepts, theories, evidence, views and research methods.

Overall39%

AOAO2

What it meansInterpretation and application of sociological ideas.

Overall39%

AOAO3

What it meansAnalysis and evaluation of sociological arguments and evidence.

Overall22%

assessment objectives

Master the 4 core perspectives
Functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism. Every essay rewards perspective application. Learn each perspective's key claims on family, education, crime, inequality.
Learn research methods with global examples
CIE tests research methods with global contexts. Learn questionnaires, interviews, observation, experiments, sampling, reliability/validity, ethics.
Learn named theorists and studies
CIE rewards named studies. Prepare: Parsons (family), Willis (education), Merton (crime), Marx (class), Oakley (gender), Murdock (family).
Practise extended-response essays
Both papers have extended-response essays. Reward: intro, 2-3 developed points with evidence and perspective application, considered evaluation.
Study global sociological data
CIE uses global contexts (not just UK). Follow global stats on family types, education, crime, inequality, UNESCO, World Bank, UN reports.
Structure evaluation clearly
AO3 (22%) rewards balanced evaluation. Every extended answer needs: perspective 1 view, perspective 2 counter-view, evaluation of methods/evidence, considered judgement.

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GCSE Sociology (Cambridge IGCSE (CIE))

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