AQAGCSE65 resources

AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies (8100) past papers and mark schemes. Democracy, rights, society, and global issues. 29 resources from 2019 to 2024.

📅June 2019 – June 2024📄65 resources available✅Free to download

Papers Overview Paper Structure Key Info Key Topics Command Words Grade Boundaries Revision Tips Try AI Tutor ✦

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65 of 65 resources — page 1 of 3

June 2023

7 files

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1 – June 2023

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Mark scheme: Paper 1 – June 2023

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 – June 2023

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Mark scheme: Paper 2 – June 2023

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 – June 2023

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1 – June 2023

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper: Paper 2 – June 2023

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June 2022

6 files

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Mark scheme: Paper 1 – June 2022

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 – June 2022

Question Paper

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Mark scheme: Paper 2 – June 2022

Mark Scheme

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 – June 2022

Question Paper

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1 – June 2022

Question Paper

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper: Paper 2 – June 2022

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November 2021

5 files

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper: Paper 2 – November 2021

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Mark scheme: Paper 1 – November 2021

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 – November 2021

Question Paper

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Mark scheme: Paper 2 – November 2021

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 – November 2021

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November 2020

7 files

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GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper: Paper 2 – November 2020

Question Paper

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📄

GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1 – November 2020

Question Paper

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✅

GCSE Citizenship Studies – Mark scheme: Paper 1 – November 2020

Mark Scheme

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📄

GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 – November 2020

Question Paper

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✅

GCSE Citizenship Studies – Mark scheme: Paper 2 – November 2020

Mark Scheme

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📄

GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper: Paper 1 – November 2020

Question Paper

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📄

GCSE Citizenship Studies – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 1 – November 2020

Question Paper

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About AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies

AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies (specification code 8100) is assessed through two written papers and a non-exam assessment (NEA) that together determine the final grade. The two written papers account for 80% of the grade, while the NEA accounts for 20%. Paper 1 covers 'Rights and responsibilities' and 'Politics and participation'. It examines knowledge of how democracy and government work in the UK — including Parliament, elections, political parties, the voting system, and how laws are made. It also covers rights and responsibilities in the UK legal system, the role of courts and judges, and how citizens can challenge decisions through the legal system, including judicial review. Paper 2 covers 'Life in modern Britain' and 'Global issues and active citizenship'. This includes the nature of British society — diversity, community, and identity — as well as national and international institutions such as the EU, UN, and NATO. Students explore global issues including climate change, international aid, and human rights violations. The non-exam assessment involves students taking action to make a difference on a citizenship issue of their choosing, planning and carrying out a response, and reflecting on it. The NEA is marked by the school and moderated by AQA. Both papers include a mix of short-answer questions and extended written responses requiring evaluation of political and social issues.

Exam Paper Structure

Paper 1No calculator

Rights and Responsibilities, and Politics and Participation

⏱ 1 hour 45 minutes🎯 60 marks📊 40% of grade

The UK legal system and rightsDemocracy and governmentParliament and electionsHow citizens can challenge decisions

Paper 2No calculator

Life in Modern Britain and Global Issues

⏱ 1 hour 45 minutes🎯 60 marks📊 40% of grade

British society — diversity, identity and communityNational and international institutions (EU, UN, NATO)Global issues: climate, human rights, conflictActive citizenship

Key Information

Exam Board	AQA
Specification Code	8100
Qualification	GCSE
Grading Scale	9–1
Assessment Type	2 written exams (80%) + non-exam assessment (20%)
Number Of Papers	2
Exam Duration	1 hour 45 minutes per paper
Total Marks	120 marks across 2 papers
Calculator Status	Not applicable
Available Sessions	June 2019 – June 2024
Total Resources	29

Key Topics in Citizenship Studies

Topics you need to know

Democracy and ParliamentUK legal system and rightsLocal and national governmentBritish society and identityInternational institutions (EU, UN, NATO)Global issues (climate, human rights)Citizen action and participation

Exam Command Words

Command word	What the examiner expects
Describe	State the main features of a political process or institution
Explain	Give reasons for a political or social event, using specific knowledge
Analyse	Examine the causes or effects of an issue in depth
Evaluate	Weigh up different viewpoints and reach a justified conclusion
Discuss	Consider arguments for and against a viewpoint using knowledge and evidence
Justify	Give reasons to support a viewpoint or decision you have chosen
To what extent	Consider how far a statement is true, weighing evidence on both sides

Typical Grade Boundaries

Grade	Approximate mark needed
Grade 9	76–86%
Grade 8	65–75%
Grade 7	54–64%
Grade 6	45–53%
Grade 5	36–44%
Grade 4	27–35%
Grade 3	18–26%
Grade 2	9–17%
Grade 1	1–8%

⚠️ Written papers are 80% of the grade; NEA (20%) is teacher-assessed. Check AQA's website for official grade boundaries.

How to Use AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Past Papers Effectively

Citizenship Studies rewards students who can link their knowledge of political and legal systems to real, current examples. When practising past papers, notice that the highest-mark questions typically ask you to evaluate a viewpoint or make a judgement — these are not answered with definitions alone. You need to weigh up different perspectives using evidence. For questions about Parliament, elections, and democracy, learn the specific vocabulary: bicameral legislature, first-past-the-post, proportional representation, judicial independence. Using these terms correctly signals to the examiner that you have subject-specific knowledge rather than general awareness. The 12-mark extended response questions (on both papers) require you to consider multiple viewpoints and reach a justified conclusion. A common mistake is writing an entirely one-sided response — even if you personally agree with one position, the mark scheme rewards balance. Practise the structure: thesis → evidence/counter-argument → synthesis → conclusion. For current events questions (often about global issues on Paper 2), keep up to date with major political and social events. While you can't predict the specific case studies that will appear, having a strong knowledge of relevant current events (climate agreements, human rights issues, UK political developments) allows you to give better-developed examples in your answers.

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AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download Past Papers

June 2023

June 2022

November 2021

November 2020

About AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies

Exam Paper Structure

Key Information

Key Topics in Citizenship Studies

Exam Command Words

Typical Grade Boundaries

How to Use AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Past Papers Effectively

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