9699 · Cambridge International AS Level
9699/22
The Family
Sociology · June 2024 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.5 / 5
120
180 min
Theoretical Perspectives and Socialisation Agents
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
120
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 examination papers for 9699/12 (Paper 1) and 9699/22 (Paper 2) maintained the rigorous standard expected by Cambridge International.
The exam tested structural core content, balancing straightforward descriptive questions with highly evaluative essays that demanded deep theoretical awareness.
Overall, the papers was highly accessible to well-prepared candidates, though scoring in the top level of the mark scheme required structured, non-juxtaposed evaluation.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Knowledge and Understanding
Weight: 3100%Interpretation Analysis
Weight: 267%Analysis and
Weight: 133%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A
Approx. 63% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 53% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 45% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 37% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 28% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Theories of the family and social change
48 marks this session
Socialisation and the creation of social identity
46 marks this session
Methods of research
14 marks this session
Family roles and changing relationships
12 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Socialisation and the creation of social identity
Methods of research
Family roles and changing relationships (Paper 2)
Theories of the family and social change
Family roles and changing relationships
Methods of research (Paper 1)
Socialisation and the creation of social identity (Paper 1)
Theories of the family and social change (Paper 2)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research (9699/12):
Paper 2 The Family (9699/22):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Theories of the family and social change
48 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSocialisation and the creation of social identity
46 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMethods of research
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiFamily roles and changing relationships
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2024 examination papers for 9699/12 (Paper 1) and 9699/22 (Paper 2) maintained the rigorous standard expected by Cambridge International.
- 2Message
The exam tested structural core content, balancing straightforward descriptive questions with highly evaluative essays that demanded deep theoretical awareness.
- 3Message
Overall, the papers was highly accessible to well-prepared candidates, though scoring in the top level of the mark scheme required structured, non-juxtaposed evaluation.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Sociology
The May/June 2024 examination papers for 9699/12 (Paper 1) and 9699/22 (Paper 2) maintained the rigorous standard expected by Cambridge International. The exam tested structural core content, balancing straightforward descriptive questions with highly evaluative essays that deman
The May/June 2024 examination papers for 9699/12 (Paper 1) and 9699/22 (Paper 2) maintained the rigorous standard expected by Cambridge International.
The exam tested structural core content, balancing straightforward descriptive questions with highly evaluative essays that demanded deep theoretical awareness.
Overall, the papers was highly accessible to well-prepared candidates, though scoring in the top level of the mark scheme required structured, non-juxtaposed evaluation.
- Total marks
- 120
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 examination papers for 9699/12 (Paper 1) and 9699/22 (Paper 2) maintained the rigorous standard expected by Cambridge International. The exam tested structural core content, balancing straightforward descriptive questions with highly evaluative essays that demanded deep theoretical awareness. Overall, the papers was highly accessible to well-prepared candidates, though scoring in the top level of the mark scheme required structured, non-juxtaposed evaluation.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research (9699/12):
Paper 2 The Family (9699/22):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
63% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Extended Evaluative Essay
(Evaluate View)
52·2·43%
Medium Answer
(Explain / Apply / Limit)
40·6·33%
Structured Essay
(Explain View)
20·2·17%
Short Answer
(Describe/Identify)
8·2·7%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section B (
0.65 m/minPaper 2 Section B (
0.65 m/minTotal marks
52
Total time
80 min
Avg pace
0.65
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Postmodernism and Individualisation Thesis in Family Diversity
88%88%
Observation Methods (Participant vs Non-Participant)
82%82%
May/June 2024 AS Level Sociology Exam Analysis
The May/June 2024 examination papers for 9699/12 (Paper 1) and 9699/22 (Paper 2) maintained the rigorous standard expected by Cambridge International. The exam tested structural core content, balancing straightforward descriptive questions with highly evaluative essays that demanded deep theoretical awareness. Overall, the papers was highly accessible to well-prepared candidates, though scoring in the top level of the mark scheme required structured, non-juxtaposed evaluation.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Describe (Short Answer), Explain (Medium Answer), Explain View / Argument (Structured), Evaluate Essay
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.