Predicted Mock Paper - Summer 2026
Question | Most likely question | Reasoning |
Q1A (12) | Executive (Presidents vs PMs) | Executive comparison as Q1 has not been asked since 2023 Mock (accountability angle). Second Trump term makes this irresistible. |
Q1B (12) | Interest groups and pressure groups | Interest groups last appeared in Q1 in the Specimen. The comparative angle with UK pressure groups is overdue. |
Q2 (12) | Parties in US and UK | Parties as the Q2 Analyse focus last appeared in the Specimen. 2025 Q2 was constitutions, 2024 devolution, 2023M executives. |
Q3A (30) | Elections - campaign finance and influence | Money in US politics has not been asked at 30-mark level since 2022. Campaign finance is central after 2024 election. |
Q3B (30) | Constitution and amendment / federalism | Amendment process rarely appears; 2025 covered federalism decline. A direct amendment question is ripe. |
Q3C (30) | Judiciary / Civil Rights | Judicial branch is a perennial Q3C. After Dobbs and recent immigration rulings a targeted rights question fits the rotation. |
Q1A Examine the differences between the powers held by the US President and the UK Prime Minister. (12)
Q1B Examine the similarities between how interest groups operate in the US and how pressure groups operate in the UK. (12)
Q2 Analyse how political parties in the US and UK differ in their internal organisation and discipline. (12)
Q3A Evaluate the view that US elections are now determined more by campaign finance than by policy or candidate quality. (30)
Q3B Evaluate the view that the US Constitution is now too difficult to amend. (30)
Q3C Evaluate the view that the Supreme Court has become the most consequential branch of federal government. (30)
Time: 2 hours. The total mark for this paper is 84.
Answer ALL questions from Section A. Answer ONE question from Section B.
(a) Examine the differences between the powers held by the US President and the UK Prime Minister. (12)
(b) Examine the similarities between how interest groups operate in the US and how pressure groups operate in the UK. (12)
Analyse how political parties in the US and UK differ in their internal organisation and discipline. In your answer you must consider the relative role of party leaders in enforcing unity. (12)
Answer ONE question from this section.
Evaluate the view that US elections are now determined more by campaign finance than by policy or candidate quality. (30)
Evaluate the view that the US Constitution is now too difficult to amend. (30)
Evaluate the view that the Supreme Court has become the most consequential branch of federal government. (30)
TOTAL FOR PAPER: 84 MARKS