What the Research Says

The 16-mark “How far do you agree?” question demands a structured argument. Practising quick plans — identifying for/against points and a conclusion — trains the analytical thinking needed without the time cost of writing full essays every time. Research on planning (Kellogg, 1988) shows that students who plan produce higher-quality arguments.

Step-by-Step Method

1. 1
   Read a past paper statement — E.g. “The main reason for X was Y. How far do you agree?”
2. 2
   Plan 2 agree points — What evidence supports the statement?
3. 3
   Plan 2 disagree points — What evidence challenges it? What other factors matter?
4. 4
   Draft a conclusion — How far do you agree? Which side has stronger evidence?
5. 5
   Time yourself — Aim to plan in under 3 minutes — that is all you get in the exam.

When and How Often

7 minutes per plan. Do 3–4 plans per revision session.

Common Mistakes

• ❌
  Writing full essays every time — Plans are faster and build the same skills. Save full essays for exam practice.
• ❌
  One-sided plans — Always plan both sides. The exam demands balance.
• ❌
  No conclusion in plan — If you do not plan your conclusion, you will forget it under time pressure.