[BlackAlpaca]

I'm studying A2 4A government and politics.

Is there anybody else who's studying this? There seems to be a lack of resources except a shoddy book which I don't really find useful at all.

My question is,
What can I do to get an A in this paper? I obviously watch the news all the time, read the main articles on BBC and read the rubbish book, but I don't feel like it's enough!

Anybody help me?!

If you haven't guessed, I like my exclamation marks

[APersonCalledClara]

Heya I'm studying this paper! What topics have you learnt? In class we've done the US Constitution and Federalism (as one topic), and the Supreme Court. I'm also self teaching myself the Presidency because I'm doing politics at uni.

Well what textbook do you use? We use the US Government and Poltiics by Anthony J. Bennett, 3rd Edition so it's pretty up to date up to the 2008 Presidental Elections. I found this pretty helpful!

In terms of getting an A (again, it depends what topics you're learning), I suggest going on schmoop.com - it's an American educational website and if you go to the 'civics' section they have some pretty helpful articles. on top of this you could subscribe to the 'Politics Review' where there are articles to help you with your studies (it's aimed at A Level students) and if you're doing the supreme court have a look at recent cases online!

Are you doing paper 3A by any chance? I'm confident about paper 4A now but feel like I'm going to fail 3A!

Hope this helps!

Our teacher also just bought us this workbook ('a present' :P) by Phillip Allan Updates called student workbook A2 US Governent and Politics , Governing the USA. it won't help you get an A but it has everything you need to know and build the framework of your essay.

[CUFCDan]

(Original post by APersonCalledClara)
Heya I'm studying this paper! What topics have you learnt? In class we've done the US Constitution and Federalism (as one topic), and the Supreme Court. I'm also self teaching myself the Presidency because I'm doing politics at uni.

Well what textbook do you use? We use the US Government and Poltiics by Anthony J. Bennett, 3rd Edition so it's pretty up to date up to the 2008 Presidental Elections. I found this pretty helpful!

In terms of getting an A (again, it depends what topics you're learning), I suggest going on schmoop.com - it's an American educational website and if you go to the 'civics' section they have some pretty helpful articles. on top of this you could subscribe to the 'Politics Review' where there are articles to help you with your studies (it's aimed at A Level students) and if you're doing the supreme court have a look at recent cases online!

Are you doing paper 3A by any chance? I'm confident about paper 4A now but feel like I'm going to fail 3A!

Hope this helps!

Our teacher also just bought us this workbook ('a present' :P) by Phillip Allan Updates called student workbook A2 US Governent and Politics , Governing the USA. it won't help you get an A but it has everything you need to know and build the framework of your essay.

Where are you doing Politics?

[APersonCalledClara]

(Original post by CUFCDan)
Where are you doing Politics?

What uni wise? Hopefully Kent - got an offer for ABB (Technically it's Politics and International Relations with a Year in Hong Kong)

If you meant now I go to Brighton and Hove High School :P

[BlackAlpaca]

(Original post by APersonCalledClara)
Heya I'm studying this paper! What topics have you learnt? In class we've done the US Constitution and Federalism (as one topic), and the Supreme Court. I'm also self teaching myself the Presidency because I'm doing politics at uni.

Well what textbook do you use? We use the US Government and Poltiics by Anthony J. Bennett, 3rd Edition so it's pretty up to date up to the 2008 Presidental Elections. I found this pretty helpful!

In terms of getting an A (again, it depends what topics you're learning), I suggest going on schmoop.com - it's an American educational website and if you go to the 'civics' section they have some pretty helpful articles. on top of this you could subscribe to the 'Politics Review' where there are articles to help you with your studies (it's aimed at A Level students) and if you're doing the supreme court have a look at recent cases online!

Are you doing paper 3A by any chance? I'm confident about paper 4A now but feel like I'm going to fail 3A!

Hope this helps!

Our teacher also just bought us this workbook ('a present' :P) by Phillip Allan Updates called student workbook A2 US Governent and Politics , Governing the USA. it won't help you get an A but it has everything you need to know and build the framework of your essay.

Absolutely fantastic, thank you!!

As for me studying 3A, no . We studied 3B which was ideologies. I'd gladly help you if I can. We've studied; US Constitution, Presidency and Congress, this paper is pretty dry. Studying Economics at University and politics should help, so I want to do well haha.

[APersonCalledClara]

No problem

Ohh shame! Yeah 3A is about Presidential Elections and Third Parties - Oh wish I was doing 3B! Would have been a lot more useful for university :P

Ah well I recommend to definitely do the constitution because our teacher (who is a senior marker) is confident the 30 mark question will be on whether or not the consitution works rather than it being on federalism. Plus I find it overlaps with the other three topics with the section about the checks and balances!

Well if you need any more advice i'm here!

[Tay594]

I'm doing this unit! I can't find anyone doing it!
I don't know anywhere online that has good resources but we use the same textbook at the other person suggested.
We could possibly exchange notes if you have done them on word?
We are doing The Constitution and federalism, The Supreme Court, Congress and the Presidency though I only have notes for the first 2 and some for Congress as I haven't finished them yet!

Any predications on what is going to come up?

[APersonCalledClara]

Yeah I'll be happy to share notes when i've done them... (Retaking GOVP2 so currently concentrating on that at the moment)

Decided to drop the Presidency and going to do just the Constitution and the Supreme Court! (Risky I know, but they link well :P)

Teacher is 99.96% sure that for the Consititution and Federalism Question the 30 mark question will be about the Constitution - most likely on why it works for the US, which you then present the arguement for and against it.

[halfbaked20]

Hi guys,

I wonder if you could give me any info - I'm a private candidate doing GOVP1, 2, 3A and 4A this May/ June and wonder if anyone knows what questions came up in January as they aren't on the AQA website and I don't have a specific tutor to contact (self teaching is hard!)

Unit 1 on Wednesday - SCARED! Hope revision is going well

[.gina]

I'm resitting Unit 2, 3A and doing 4A for the first time and really dreading them! Anyone got any advice on what kind of things to include to get good marks? I seem to be floating along at C/D and I really need to do better than that.

[halfbaked20]

(Original post by .gina)
I'm resitting Unit 2, 3A and doing 4A for the first time and really dreading them! Anyone got any advice on what kind of things to include to get good marks? I seem to be floating along at C/D and I really need to do better than that.

Do you remember what the unit 2 q's on the british constitution or the core exec were by any chance? And did you do unit 1 in Jan too? If so do you remember what came up at all?

I'm finding that examples are the key really, I know it's hard to do but I think every paragraph should have a point, an example for this point and a sort of mini conclusion. Also, not just sticking to the theory, actually giving practical examples. For example, if you're saying the British Constitution has different sources you can explain what they are and in practical terms, how they work - statues being written and the most important, sources from the EU which in reality are now just as important, right down to conventions which have been developed over centuries.

Good luck with it!

[.gina]

I only did Unit 2. The 10 mark question for Core Executive was about individual ministerial responsibilities but I don't really remember the rest, and I did legislature not constitution. As the judiciary have come up a lot lately though I'm going to revise the constitution in the hopes it isn't a judiciary question as we never got taught it XD

I think you're right with examples though, I seem to know a lot but don't back up all my knowledge with analysis, losing a lot of marks :/

[heythereimannie]

Wow took me ages to find this thread, thought no-one was gonna be doing it!

I'm not going to learn the judiciary really don't get it.
I'm more worried about 3B though

[willnotrest]

what do people think is gonna come up in unit 3a? getting nervous :P

[APersonCalledClara]

(Original post by willnotrest)
what do people think is gonna come up in unit 3a? getting nervous :P

Ahh that's my next exam!!! :/ What topics are you doing? We only learnt Political parties and Presidential Elections.

For Presidential elections hopefully what is a primary for the 10 marker and 30 marks either the electoral college or national nominating convention and whether or not they are still effective.

Political parties we're thinking it's going to be on third parties - then you could use the example of the 2000 presidential elections and how they practically ruined Gore's chance of winning! 10 markers wise probably the ideology of either the Democratic party or the Republican party.

Hope this helps!

[.gina]

(Original post by APersonCalledClara)
Ahh that's my next exam!!! :/ What topics are you doing? We only learnt Political parties and Presidential Elections.

For Presidential elections hopefully what is a primary for the 10 marker and 30 marks either the electoral college or national nominating convention and whether or not they are still effective.

Political parties we're thinking it's going to be on third parties - then you could use the example of the 2000 presidential elections and how they practically ruined Gore's chance of winning! 10 markers wise probably the ideology of either the Democratic party or the Republican party.

Hope this helps!

They used 3rd parties for January, so even though it's unlikely to come up as the 30-marker this time I really hope it doesn't! I like it for a 10 marker but always feel like I repeat myself when it's 30 marks XD

[APersonCalledClara]

(Original post by .gina)
They used 3rd parties for January, so even though it's unlikely to come up as the 30-marker this time I really hope it doesn't! I like it for a 10 marker but always feel like I repeat myself when it's 30 marks XD

Oh did it? Yay! :P It could possibly a 10 markers then :P Then perhaps it'll be on party decline? Hate this bit of the topic though! >.< :P

[willnotrest]

I'm thinking probably party decline although that is somewhat covered in the part weakness question that came up last June I think. I hope it is party decline- get a bit of David border in there!

[willnotrest]

* broder

[BlackAlpaca]

What do you guys think will come up?