Short answer: yes — keeping up with current affairs makes a big difference in A Level Politics. Examiners reward essays that use accurate, up-to-date examples to support analysis and evaluation.

The good news? You don’t need hours a day. With a simple weekly routine and an organised examples bank, you can stay current without overwhelm.

Why Current Affairs Matter

• AO1 (knowledge): Specific, recent cases show precise knowledge of institutions, laws, elections and decisions.
• AO2 (analysis): Real cases help you explain how and why political processes work.
• AO3 (evaluation): Weighing competing arguments is easier with concrete evidence you can compare.

New to the mark scheme? See how Politics exams are marked (AOs).

What Counts as “Current”?

• Best: Examples from the last 12–24 months (UK/US depending on your option).
• Still useful: Older landmark cases (e.g., constitutional reforms, major court rulings) if directly relevant.
• Be specific: name the bill, judgment, vote %, turnout, date, office holder, committee, etc.

A Simple Weekly Habit (25–35 mins total)

1. 10 mins: Skim two reliable news sources. Screenshot/save 2–3 items.
2. 10 mins: Log them in your examples bank (date · what happened · why it matters · syllabus tag).
3. 5–15 mins: Write one timed paragraph using a new example (Point → Evidence → Explain → mini-Judgement).

Need a template? Use our essay guide: Politics essay structure & examples.

How to Build (and Use) an Examples Bank

• Create a one-page tracker with columns: Date · Topic · Example · Why it matters · Tag.
• Tag by syllabus area (e.g., Parliament, PM & Executive, Judiciary, Elections, Rights).
• Rehearse recall: re-write one example from memory each week with a one-line explanation.

For materials to support your reading, see best textbooks & resources for AQA A Level Politics.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do link each example directly to the concept in the question.
• Do keep it recent and accurate; one well-developed example beats three vague ones.
• Don’t write a news summary; turn the example into analysis and evaluation.
• Don’t rely on unverified social media posts.

FAQs

What if I fall behind on the news?
Focus on quality over quantity. Update your bank with 2–3 strong examples and practise one timed paragraph—consistency wins.

Are older examples useless?
No. Use older landmark cases if they directly fit the question, but balance them with a recent example.

How many examples per essay?
Typically one specific, well-explained example per paragraph (3–4 paragraphs) is enough for high marks.

Related Guides

How to prepare for A Level Politics · Assessment Objectives explained · How to write Politics essays · What is the pass mark?