plumiRole and functions of education: AQA A‑Level Sociology questions
Every AQA A-Level Sociology exam question on Role and functions of education, 2020–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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![June 2025 Paper 1, question 04: Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of the role and functions of education in society. [30 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71921-jun25-ib-04-qp.webp)
![June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 03: Outline three features of the functionalist theory of education. [6 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71911-jun25-q-03-qp.webp)
![June 2024 Paper 1, question 04: Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the usefulness of Marxist perspectives in understanding the role of education. [30 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71921-jun24-ib-04-qp.webp)
![June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 03: Outline three criticisms of feminist views of education. [6 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71911-jun24-q-03-qp.webp)
![June 2023 Paper 1, question 01: Outline two similarities between the functionalist and Marxist views of education. [4 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71921-jun23-q-01-qp.webp)
![June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 03: Outline three criticisms of Marxist views of the role of education in capitalist society. [6 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71911-jun23-q-03-qp.webp)
![June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 04: Outline and explain two ways in which government educational policies may reflect the needs of the economy. [10 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71911-jun23-q-04-qp.webp)
![June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 02: Using one example, briefly explain how schools can be seen to prepare pupils for the world of work. [2 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71911-jun22-q-02-qp.webp)
![November 2021 Paper 1, question 04: Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the view that the education system is meritocratic. [30 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71921-nov21-ib-04-qp.webp)
![November 2020 Paper 1, question 02: Outline three functions that the education system performs for society. [6 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71921-nov20-q-02-qp.webp)
![November 2020 AS Paper 1, question 01: Define the term ‘secondary socialisation’. [2 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71911-nov20-q-01-qp.webp)
![November 2020 AS Paper 1, question 05: Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate the functionalist approach to the education system. [20 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71911-nov20-ia-05-qp.webp)
All 13 questions on Role and functions of education, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q04 (30 marks): Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of the role and functions of education in society. [30 marks]
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q03 (6 marks): Outline three features of the functionalist theory of education. [6 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q04 (30 marks): Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the usefulness of Marxist perspectives in understanding the role of education. [30 marks]
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q03 (6 marks): Outline three criticisms of feminist views of education. [6 marks]
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q05 (20 marks): Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of the role the education system plays in preparing pupils for work. [20 ma
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q01 (4 marks): Outline two similarities between the functionalist and Marxist views of education. [4 marks]
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q03 (6 marks): Outline three criticisms of Marxist views of the role of education in capitalist society. [6 marks]
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q04 (10 marks): Outline and explain two ways in which government educational policies may reflect the needs of the economy. [10 marks]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q02 (2 marks): Using one example, briefly explain how schools can be seen to prepare pupils for the world of work. [2 marks]
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q04 (30 marks): Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the view that the education system is meritocratic. [30 marks]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q02 (6 marks): Outline three functions that the education system performs for society. [6 marks]
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q01 (2 marks): Define the term ‘secondary socialisation’. [2 marks]
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q05 (20 marks): Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate the functionalist approach to the education system. [20 marks]
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