9607_s26_qp_41 — 2026 May-June Media Studies 9607 Question Paper 4 Variant 1

9607_s26_qp_41 — 2026 May-June Media Studies 9607 Question Paper 4 Variant 1 · Cambridge CAIE AS & A Level

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9607_s26_qp_41 — 2026 May-June Media Studies 9607 Question Paper 4 Variant 1

This is the official Cambridge AS & A Level Media Studies (9607) Question Paper 4 (Variant 1) from the 2026 May-June examination session. This question paper was sat by Cambridge students worldwide in 2026 and is published by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). Use it for timed practice under exam conditions to build familiarity with the question format, mark allocation, and time pressure.

Also referenced as: 9607_s26_qp_41 · 9607/41/m/j/26 qp · 9607/41 May/June 2026 qp

Paper 4: Critical Perspectives (A2 exam) — This is Paper 4: Critical Perspectives (A2 exam), worth 60 marks with a duration of 2h 30m. Section A: choose 2 of 3 questions on Regulation, Power and the Media, or Postmodernism (15 marks each). Section B: compulsory Media Ecology question (30 marks — worth double, allocate proportional time). Case studies must be majority contemporary (within ~5 years).

To self-assess your performance, use this question paper alongside the corresponding mark scheme (9607_s26_ms_41). Attempt the entire paper under timed conditions before opening the mark scheme — this trains both your subject knowledge and exam technique. Mark each question and record whether marks were lost due to knowledge gaps, method errors, or careless mistakes.

The most effective way to use this Media Studies question paper is to simulate real exam conditions: set a timer for the full duration, work without notes, and write your answers on separate paper. After finishing, mark yourself using the official mark scheme — do not check answers during the paper. This builds exam stamina and reveals your genuine readiness. Repeat this process across 3–5 sessions to identify recurring weak topics in Media Studies (9607).

MSView Mark Scheme: Mark Scheme 4 (v1)

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Same paper, other years

Media Studies (9607) Question Paper 4 (Variant 1) from other exam sessions — practise the same paper across the years, then check each one against its mark scheme.

QP2025 May-June QP2024 May-June QP2023 May-June QP2022 May-June QP2021 May-June QP2020 May-June QP2019 May-June QP2018 May-June QP2017 May-June

Examiner Insights — Paper 4: Critical Perspectives (A2 exam)

Based on analysis of 1 official Cambridge documents (2025)

Time mismanagement on Paper 4 — long Section A answers and a thin Media Ecology response

“There remain problems with Time Management – some students submitted very lengthy Section A answers sometimes followed by really short Media Ecology responses despite this compulsory question being worth double the marks.”— 9607 Paper 4, May/June 2025

How to fix: Section A = 2 × 15 marks (30). Section B Media Ecology = 30 marks. Allocate 1 hour to Section A (2 × 30 mins) and 1 hour to Media Ecology. Many candidates attempt Media Ecology FIRST — examiners confirm this works. Practise full-length timed papers; if you only have time for two thorough Section A answers and a thin Ecology response, you are throwing away half the paper.

Using outdated case studies on postmodernism (Pulp Fiction, The Matrix, Truman Show)

“More than other questions, this topic is regularly hindered by the use of very old examples, including Pulp Fiction, The Matrix series or Truman Show, which is still more common than one would expect given the clear guidance in the syllabus.”— 9607 Paper 4, May/June 2025

How to fix: Contemporary = published within ~5 years of the exam year. For postmodernism, the report rewards: Everything Everywhere All At Once, Eminem's Houdini video, Barbie, Wuthering Heist, Stranger Things, WandaVision, Bridgerton, current reality TV. Older texts can give historical context but must NOT be the spine of your answer. Build a fresh case study bank each year.

Theory name-dropping — referencing theorists without applying them

“Theory was superficially applied to many responses (Propp, Todorov), and in some instances not referenced at all. Many candidates would explain terminology, or theories, rather than applying them to an analysis of the extract – this is a poor use of the candidates time; they will achieve more marks from applying theories to the text rather than simply explaining what particular theorists argued.”— 9607 Paper 2, May/June 2025

How to fix: Theory must be tied to the case study and the question. Don't explain what Levi-Strauss said; SHOW binary opposition operating in the extract. Replace 'as Jenkins argues, audiences are participatory' with 'Jenkins' concept of participatory culture explains how Swifties extend the Eras Tour brand through fan-made TikTok edits — a form of free promotional labour Hesmondhalgh would call cultural exploitation'. Always use SURNAMES (Gerbner, not George).

View full exam guide for Media Studies (9607) →