A-Level · Edexcel · Politics
Edexcel A-Level Politics (9PL0) revision for every paper
Past papers from 2019 to 2025 for UK politics and government, political ideas, and the USA or Global Politics. Write your answer, get it marked against the Pearson mark scheme with feedback, then rewrite it and compare it with a model answer.
What you'll study
The Edexcel Politics papers on Markaroo
How people take part in UK politics, and the three core ideas every student studies.
- Democracy and participation
- Political parties
- Electoral systems
- Voting behaviour and the media
- Conservatism, liberalism and socialism, with their named thinkers
How the UK is governed, and one non-core idea. All five are covered.
- The constitution
- Parliament
- Prime Minister and executive
- Relations between the branches
- Your idea: anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism or nationalism
The US system on its own terms, then compared with the UK through rational, cultural and structural theory.
- US Constitution and federalism
- US Congress
- US presidency
- US Supreme Court and civil rights
- US democracy and participation
- Comparative approaches: UK and USA
The alternative to 3A: states and global governance, read through realism and liberalism.
- The state and globalisation
- Global governance: political and economic
- Global governance: human rights and environmental
- Power and developments
- Regionalism and the European Union
- Comparative theories: realism and liberalism
Assessment
How Edexcel Politics is examined
| Paper | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Papers 1 and 2 | One source question (choose 1 of 2); one essay (choose 1 of 2); one political ideas essay (choose 1 of 2) | 30 + 30 + 24 |
| Paper 3A or 3B | One ‘Examine’ question (choose 1 of 2); one compulsory ‘Analyse’ question; two essays (choose 2 of 3) | 12 + 12 + 30 + 30 |
Every paper is 2 hours, 84 marks and a third of the A-Level. There is no coursework. Your written answers are marked against Pearson's levels mark scheme for each question type, with feedback on what would move you up.
Markaroo is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson. Past papers are attempted and marked inside the app, not offered as downloads.
Questions
Edexcel Politics on Markaroo
What does Edexcel A-Level Politics (9PL0) cover on Markaroo?
All three components. Paper 1 is UK Politics with the core political ideas (conservatism, liberalism and socialism); Paper 2 is UK Government with all five non-core ideas (anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism and nationalism); and Paper 3 is covered in both versions: 3A, the Government and Politics of the USA, and 3B, Global Politics. Pick your Paper 2 idea and your Paper 3 option in the app and your notes, flashcards and papers follow your choice.
How is Edexcel A-Level Politics assessed?
Three written exams, each 2 hours, worth 84 marks and a third of the A-Level. There is no coursework. Papers 1 and 2 each have a 30-mark source question, a 30-mark essay and a 24-mark political ideas essay. Paper 3 has a 12-mark 'Examine' question, a compulsory 12-mark 'Analyse' question, and two 30-mark essays chosen from three.
What kinds of question can I practise?
Every question type: the 30-mark source questions where your analysis and evaluation must come from the source, the 30-mark essays, the 24-mark ideas essays that need the thinkers named in the specification, and Paper 3's 12-mark Examine and Analyse questions and 30-mark essays, for the USA or Global Politics.
How does Markaroo mark Politics answers?
Your answer is marked against Pearson's levels mark scheme for that question type, including the rules examiners apply, such as needing both sides argued in a balanced way and named thinkers in ideas essays. You get a mark with feedback on what to improve, can rewrite and have it marked again, and can compare your work with a model answer for the question.
Is there a free plan for Edexcel Politics on Markaroo?
Yes. The free plan gives you your coach, your technique profile and a live predicted grade, 2 written answers marked free, and the first topic of every unit in revision notes and flashcards, including each note's quick-check quiz, which is always free and never uses up your allowance — no card required. Plus unlocks everything from £6.99 a month (add more subjects for £5 each, with a 7-day free trial): unlimited questions and AI essay marking, every topic, all model answers and the rewrite loop.
I'm studying AQA Politics. Is that covered?
Yes, as a separate course: AQA A-Level Politics (7152) has its own papers, notes and flashcards. The two specifications use different papers, question styles and set thinkers, so choose the course for the board you sit.