AWARDED: At top end, candidates had excellent knowledge of range of regional bodies and could carefully assess their influence compared with states. Candidates understood growing significance of regional bodies at political level (EU most significant). Strength of EU as economic entity covered by most. Pleasing that numerous candidates went beyond EU to discuss AU, NAFTA and ASEAN. MISSED: Varied collection of responses. ADVICE: \"A question such as this will benefit from a wide range of regional bodies.\" \"Reference back to the title is a good way of ensuring continued relevance.\" KEY PRINCIPLE (from ER 2025, applicable to all questions): Address the question directly. For this question, define what the key term means and what it is supposed to achieve. Then evaluate whether regional bodies are effectively able to challenge individual states for influence in global politics. ESSAY TECHNIQUE: Pair competing viewpoints in each section of your answer. Use specific, contemporary political evidence to support your analysis. Avoid historical examples unless they directly illuminate a current issue. Each paragraph should contain analysis (AO2) and a mini-judgment (AO3), not just description (AO1). AO3 CONCLUSIONS: Do not just repeat your paragraph themes. Answer the question directly, explain why your judgment is reached, and contextualise it within the current political situation. A strong conclusion takes a clear position and justifies it with the weight of the evidence presented. EXAMINER RECOMMENDATIONS (from ER 2025, applicable to all questions): 1. ANSWER THE QUESTION ASKED: If you hoped for a different question, put that aside and ensure every paragraph addresses what was actually asked. Do not import a prepared essay on a related but different topic. 2. CONSIDER BOTH SIDES: Pair competing viewpoints in each section. For each argument in favour, address the strongest counterargument. Do not just list points for and against separately. 3. USE EVIDENCE EFFECTIVELY: Select contemporary, specific political evidence. Avoid vague generalities. Name specific legislation, court cases, election results, government actions, and political events. Evidence should support analysis, not replace it. 4. VALUE TIMED PRACTICE: The more practice you have of responding in exam conditions, the better you will perform. For the final question on each paper, time pressure is real -- practise to a strict timer.