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Exam pass rate: Approximately 60% to 68% of candidates in the Arts stream achieve an Ordinary Pass (S) or higher in Political Science annually.
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Exam Review

Key Facts: GCE A/L Political Science Exam

50 MCQs

Official Paper 1 Question Count

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

5 Hours

Total Examination Duration (Papers 1 & 2)

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Subject 31

Official National Subject Code

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

3 Media

Administered in Sinhala, Tamil, and English

Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka

Grade S+

Minimum Passing Standard for University Admission

University Grants Commission (UGC) Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka GCE A/L Political Science (Subject Code 23) evaluates political theory, comparative constitutions, Sri Lankan republican governance, and international institutions through a 50-MCQ Paper 1 and a 3-hour essay Paper 2.

Sample GCE A/L Political Science Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GCE A/L Political Science exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which classical Greek philosopher is regarded as the 'Father of Political Science' for his empirical study of city-state constitutions and his famous declaration that 'Man is by nature a political animal'?
A.Aristotle
B.Plato
C.Socrates
D.Herodotus
Explanation: Aristotle is considered the father of political science because he pioneered the empirical and comparative method by analyzing 158 Greek city-state constitutions in his treatise 'Politics'. In this work, he famously asserted that human beings are by nature political animals (zoon politikon) who can only realize full moral and intellectual development within an organized political community. His systematic classification of constitutions based on who rules and in whose interest laid the foundation for modern political analysis.
2In the evolution of political science methodology, what was the primary characteristic that distinguished the 'Behavioral Revolution' from traditional approaches?
A.Exclusive focus on constitutional law and historical legal texts
B.Emphasis on empirical observation, quantification, and observable political actions of individuals
C.Total reliance on normative moral philosophy and ethical ideals
D.Restriction of inquiry strictly to sovereign heads of state and formal treaties
Explanation: The Behavioral Revolution, which gained prominence in the 1950s led by scholars like David Easton and Robert Dahl, shifted the focus of political science from formal-legal institutions toward the observable political behavior of individuals and groups. It emphasized rigorous empirical research, scientific methodology, statistical quantification, and interdisciplinary insights from sociology and psychology. In contrast, traditional approaches were largely normative, historical, and descriptive.
3Which influential modern political scientist defined politics as the 'authoritative allocation of values for a society' through an input-output systems model?
A.Harold Lasswell
B.Robert Dahl
C.David Easton
D.Gabriel Almond
Explanation: David Easton formulated the widely accepted definition of a political system as those interactions through which values are authoritatively allocated for a society. His systems analysis model views politics as a continuous process where environmental 'inputs' (demands and supports) are processed through institutional 'conversion mechanisms' into 'outputs' (decisions and policies), with feedback loops continually reshaping new demands. This framework provided political science with an objective, systemic method for comparative analysis.
4Harold Lasswell encapsulated the core dynamic of political power and distributive politics in the title of his 1936 foundational work as:
A.The End of History and the Last Man
B.The Ruling Class and Political Formula
C.The Authoritative Allocation of Values
D.Politics: Who Gets What, When, How
Explanation: Harold Lasswell defined politics concisely as 'Who Gets What, When, How' in his influential 1936 book. This realistic formulation views politics as a continuous struggle over scarce social, economic, and prestige values, emphasizing that political science must examine the mechanisms by which power determines the distribution of these resources across society.
5In classical political theory and international jurisprudence, which four constituent elements are universally recognized as essential to define a sovereign state?
A.Population, territory, government, and sovereignty
B.Army, currency, written constitution, and common religion
C.Language, judicial court, flag, and national anthem
D.Parliament, police force, political parties, and state revenue
Explanation: According to standard political theory and codified in the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, a state must possess four fundamental elements: a permanent population, a defined territory, a functioning government, and sovereignty (both internal supremacy and external independence). Without any one of these four elements, a community cannot be recognized as a sovereign state.
6Which theory of the origin of the state asserts that political authority was instituted by God and that rulers are answerable only to the Creator and not to their subjects?
A.Force Theory
B.Divine Origin Theory
C.Social Contract Theory
D.Patriarchal Theory
Explanation: The Divine Origin Theory is the earliest systematic theory explaining the birth of the state, claiming that God created the state and appointed rulers as his earthly representatives. Consequently, the ruler's authority is sacred and unquestionable, making resistance to the sovereign a sin as well as a crime. This doctrine was widely used by European absolutist monarchs such as King James I and argued by Sir Robert Filmer to justify royal prerogative.
7Which statement best summarizes the fundamental premise of the 'Force Theory' of state origin as formulated by theorists such as Franz Oppenheimer and Edward Jenks?
A.The state was established through divine intervention to protect the virtuous
B.The state emerged through rational economic contracts among trading merchants
C.The state was created through physical conquest, armed domination, and the subjugation of the weak by the strong
D.The state was an organic enlargement of the matriarchal household
Explanation: The Force Theory argues that the state is the historical product of physical coercion, conquest, and predatory warfare. Franz Oppenheimer famously described the state as a political means for the economic exploitation of the vanquished by victorious tribes, summarized in the historical aphorism that 'war begat the king'. The theory emphasizes that organized force remains an indispensable instrument for maintaining state authority.
8In his masterwork 'Leviathan' (1651), how did Thomas Hobbes depict human existence in the state of nature, and what solution did he propose?
A.A peaceful community of equals who voluntarily created a limited constitutional monarchy
B.An idyllic state of perfect moral virtue corrupted by private property, resolved by direct democracy
C.A divine hierarchy where subjects owed unquestioned obedience based on scripture
D.A condition of perpetual war where life was 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short', resolved by an irrevocable covenant establishing an absolute sovereign
Explanation: Thomas Hobbes argued that in the pre-political state of nature, human beings were driven by self-preservation and competition in the absence of a common authority, resulting in a war of all against all where life was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. To escape this relentless insecurity, individuals entered into a social contract surrendering their natural liberties to an undivided, absolute sovereign (the Leviathan) who alone could guarantee civil order and physical security.
9According to John Locke's 'Two Treatises of Government', what is the fundamental purpose of the state, and what right do citizens retain if government breaches its fiduciary trust?
A.To protect the natural rights to life, liberty, and property; citizens retain the right to alter or overthrow tyrannical government
B.To enforce religious uniformity; citizens retain no right of dissent
C.To redistribute all private wealth equally; citizens retain the right to elect judicial officers only
D.To maintain imperial conquest; citizens retain the right to seek sanctuary abroad
Explanation: John Locke argued that individuals in the state of nature possessed inalienable natural rights to life, liberty, and estate (property). Government is created as a fiduciary trust specifically to protect these rights through impartial laws and judges. If a government violates its trust by acting tyrannically, citizens have a moral and political right to dissolve or overthrow it and establish a new constitutional government.
10In Jean-Jacques Rousseau's political philosophy, what crucial distinction exists between the 'General Will' (volonté générale) and the 'Will of All' (volonté de tous)?
A.The General Will represents the executive cabinet, whereas the Will of All represents the judiciary
B.The General Will aims exclusively at the common good of the entire community, whereas the Will of All is merely the aggregate sum of private, selfish interests
C.The General Will is determined by hereditary aristocracy, whereas the Will of All is determined by the church
D.The General Will applies only in wartime, whereas the Will of All operates during peace
Explanation: In 'The Social Contract' (1762), Rousseau made a vital qualitative distinction: the General Will (volonté générale) always looks to the common interest and moral good of the entire political community, whereas the Will of All (volonté de tous) is merely the numerical aggregate of particular private wills, each pursuing sectional or selfish advantage. For Rousseau, legitimate sovereignty resides solely in the General Will, which cannot err when citizens deliberate selflessly for the common welfare.

About the GCE A/L Political Science Exam

The Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Political Science examination (Subject Code 23) is an academic benchmark administered nationwide by the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka. Serving as a premier subject in the Arts stream, the curriculum immerses candidates in classical and contemporary political philosophy, state formation theories, constitutional architecture, comparative governance models (United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland, and India), and international relations. A substantial component evaluates the constitutional history and governance of modern Sri Lanka, spanning the Donoughmore and Soulbury frameworks, the 1972 First Republican Constitution, and the 1978 Second Republican Constitution with its far-reaching amendments such as the 13th, 19th, and 21st Amendments. Performance in this subject contributes directly to the candidate's Z-score used by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for admission into competitive degree programs in Law, Political Science, Public Policy, and International Relations across national universities.

Exam sponsor: Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (doenets.lk). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The examination consists of two papers. Paper 1 contains 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions (2 hours, 100 marks converted to 50% weighting). Paper 2 contains structured essay questions divided into sections where candidates select questions to evaluate analytical depth (3 hours, 100 marks converted to 50% weighting). Candidates complete both papers in their registered medium (Sinhala, Tamil, or English).

Time Limit

Paper 1: 2 hours; Paper 2: 3 hours (Total 5 hours)

Passing Score

Grade S or higher

Exam / Certification Fees

Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Approximately 60% to 68% of candidates in the Arts stream achieve an Ordinary Pass (S) or higher in Political Science annually.. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Political Theory and State Concepts

Nature and scope of political science, theories of origin of the state, sovereignty, power, authority, legitimacy, political ideologies (liberalism, socialism, fascism, anarchism), democracy, and fundamental human rights.

25%

Comparative Constitutions and Institutions

Classification of constitutions, organs of government (legislature, executive, judiciary), separation of powers and checks and balances, and comparative analysis of the UK, US, Swiss, and Indian political systems.

35%

Sri Lankan Constitutional and Political System

Constitutional evolution from 1931, the 1972 First Republican Constitution, the 1978 Second Republican Constitution and key amendments (13th, 19th, 21st), Executive Presidency, Parliament, judiciary, proportional representation, and party dynamics.

15%

International Relations and Foreign Policy

The international system, United Nations structure and primary organs, globalization, principles of Sri Lanka foreign policy, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and regional associations including SAARC and BIMSTEC.

Preparing for the GCE A/L Political Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade S or higher
  • Assessment: The examination consists of two papers. Paper 1 contains 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions (2 hours, 100 marks converted to 50% weighting). Paper 2 contains structured essay questions divided into sections where candidates select questions to evaluate analytical depth (3 hours, 100 marks converted to 50% weighting). Candidates complete both papers in their registered medium (Sinhala, Tamil, or English).
  • Time limit: Paper 1: 2 hours; Paper 2: 3 hours (Total 5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the examination format for GCE A/L Political Science in Sri Lanka?

The examination comprises two papers: Paper 1 consists of 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions lasting 2 hours, testing broad conceptual understanding across the syllabus. Paper 2 is a 3-hour written paper featuring structured essay questions where candidates provide detailed arguments, case citations, and institutional critiques.

How does GCE A/L Political Science contribute to university entrance?

Political Science is one of the primary academic subjects in the Arts stream. Marks from Paper 1 and Paper 2 are aggregated, standardized into a composite raw score, and converted into a Z-score by the Department of Examinations. High Z-scores qualify students for competitive undergraduate faculties such as the Faculty of Law and Faculties of Arts/Social Sciences across Sri Lankan state universities.

Which constitutional amendments in Sri Lanka receive the greatest emphasis?

The examination frequently emphasizes landmark amendments to the 1978 Constitution, particularly the 13th Amendment (devolution of power and Provincial Councils), the 17th, 19th, and 21st Amendments (independent oversight commissions, Constitutional Council, and checks on presidential authority), and the 18th and 20th Amendments (centralization of executive power).

In which language media can candidates sit the Political Science examination?

Candidates may sit the examination in any of Sri Lanka's three national educational media: Sinhala, Tamil, or English. Question papers are officially translated and standardized across all three media by the Department of Examinations.

How are multiple-choice questions graded in Paper 1?

Paper 1 contains 50 four-option or five-option items. Each correctly answered question receives 1 raw mark, yielding a total of 50 marks, which is scaled to 100 for composite grading. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.