What the Research Says

The Cambridge Nationals external assessment is scenario-based. You will be given information about an individual and asked to analyse their needs, evaluate services, and recommend improvements. Practising with case studies trains you to apply knowledge rather than simply recall it. Research on transfer of learning (Barnett & Ceci, 2002) shows that practising in exam-like contexts significantly improves performance.

Step-by-Step Method

1. 1
   Read the scenario carefully — Underline key details: age, conditions, needs, current care, problems mentioned.
2. 2
   Identify PIES impact — For each issue, consider how it affects Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social development.
3. 3
   Link to theory — Connect the scenario to relevant theory — Maslow, care values, legislation like the Care Act 2014.
4. 4
   Write recommendations — Suggest specific, realistic improvements. Name the service, explain how it helps.
5. 5
   Check against mark schemes — Compare your answer with the mark scheme criteria. Did you cover analysis, evaluation, and recommendations?

When and How Often

About 30 minutes per case study. Do at least one per week in the lead-up to the exam.

Common Mistakes

• ❌
  Ignoring the scenario — Generic answers score poorly. Every point must reference the specific individual and their circumstances.
• ❌
  Forgetting to recommend — Analysis without recommendations misses half the marks. Always suggest improvements.
• ❌
  Vague suggestions — “They should get help” is not enough. Name the service, explain the process, justify the choice.