In government & politics, are you suppost to learn things that are not in the Spec?

In both of my text books for unit one, people & participation, they talk about stuff like the differences between Power & Authority. But it isn't in the Specification. Is this stuff just FYI, or is it actually on the test?

Reply 1

politicallyconfused

is your text book the Andrew Heywood AS Politics one? browny/orangey cover?
if so, it's not exam board specific.
Just refer to your syllabus. We used that text book and were on Edexcel, so missed out stuff like selection of MPs for parties.

Reply 2

Conor C

politicallyconfused

We are doing the AQA board.

These are the text books I am using- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQA-Government-Politics-Watts-Duncan-Volume-Ed-NEW-BOOK_W0QQitemZ320441192647QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Books_NonFictionBooks_NonFictionBooks_SM?hash=item4a9bc890c7

and -http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQA-AS-Government-and-Politics-Unit-Fairclough-P-N_W0QQitemZ280392227742QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Books_NonFictionBooks_NonFictionBooks_SM?hash=item4148addb9e

Reply 3

Sequin

If its not on the spec, it wont be in the test. Your textbook wont be exam board specific, and will be trying to cover as many topics as possible. Just learn what is on your spec.