The First! The Best!

IGNOU MSO
Exam Question Pattern
MSOE-001

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 Question Paper Pattern …
Sociology of Education

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 Super-Notes
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 We are here to help you…
It is in our DNA. We were born out of a
project to help students!

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We are here to help you!
If you are a faculty or student of IGNOU, this document may be just what you need!

IGNOU has a vast syllabus, there is minimal support from the study centers and university.
But, the exams are as tough as exams for regular programs, if not tougher. Unfortunately,
the students, most of whom are working, don’t get sufficient support for their exams.

We at PsychoTech Services have launched several efforts to help IGNOU students – if you
haven’t visited our IGNOU MSO Corner yet, now might be the right time! Back in 2015, we
created the first version of our ‘IGNOU Question Paper Pattern Analysis’ with the objective of
helping IGNOU students with their theory examinations. Several copies and duplicates soon
surfaced. Some of them very brightly colored with fancy graphics. But none with the same
high level of accuracy and quality of analysis and insights.

While this document and the analysis in it would help you a lot, do remember exams are
both a test of your knowledge and your ability to present the answers in a manner that the
examiner is inclined to give you marks. So work on both these aspects – read this for some
very useful tips on How to Score More in your Exams!

Good luck for your exams!!!

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 An approach that works…

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An approach that works…
Our approach is based on a very simple and logical concept… The syllabus of any course
created anywhere on this planet can, typically, be broken into three parts – 1. core concepts,
2. important concepts and 3. related but not as important concepts. Now, logically, if you
have to test your students’ knowledge of a subject which of these three would you focus on?

Simple, right ☺ This is the reason we find that the pattern of questions asked in entrance
exams and university exams anywhere in the world clearly mirror the above. Most questions
are asked from the core concepts, some from the important concepts and rarely from
the related concepts.

Therefore, as a student, it does not make sense for you to put equal effort in all subjects.
When you prepare for your exams, you must prioritize - ‘by-heart’ the core concepts, learn
the important concepts and touch the related concepts if you intend to score a perfect 100!

How do you know which topic belongs to which category? That is what this document will
help you to know. We analyzed all the question papers available on the IGNOU site, right
from the beginning of the course to find out the relative importance of every part of your
syllabus.

This will help you to get maximum marks with minimum effort!

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 10

 Let’s start!
Question Paper
This document Pattern …
is for: MSOE-001

Sociology of Education

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners

 What is the
Exam Setup like?

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 12

The Examination Setup
Environment:
An examination hall, typically in an IGNOU study center. Depending on your luck – it could be
noisy with lot of cheating, peaceful with strict invigilation, comfortable desks or
uncomfortable broken desks, clean or filthy washrooms. Be mentally prepared for the worst!

Time: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 100

Question Paper Structure:

The question paper structure has been fairly consistent since 2008:
• There are two sections – with 5 questions each.
• All questions have equal (20) marks
• You have to attempt any five questions – minimum two questions from each section.
• The questions are mostly essay type with a 500 word limit
• The questions are usually broken into sub-parts comprising of related questions.*
However, there have been some exceptions – MSO-002 exams from December 2011 to June
2013 and MSO-003 in 2014 and 2017 did not have a restriction by section – students could
answer any of the 9 or 10 questions, respectively.
*In our analysis we have counted them as separate and mapped to the respective IGNOU topics

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 13

 The most important blocks are…

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 14

…blocks 2 and 7!
In the past few years, blocks 2 and 7 have been the most important, followed by blocks 6, 1, 3
and 5 respectively.

Weightage of different blocks in exams, %age of total marks

Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 Block 5 Block 6 Block 7 Block 8

Last 3
12% 16% 12% 10% 10% 12% 21% 6%
years

Last 5
15% 17% 10% 9% 11% 16% 17% 6%
years

Lifetime 18% 15% 10% 8% 11% 13% 16% 8%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 15

 Now, let’s look at the
Most Important Units
We suggest students to use this list
for the final full reading before exams –
so that you do not miss any important
chapters in case of insufficient time.

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 16

The Top 10 units – Priority 1
Unit Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

Unit 14 Education, Pluralism and Multiculturalism 6.7% 6.4% 4.5%

Unit 4 Thinkers on Education-II 6.5% 8.3% 9.0%

Unit 22 WTO, GATS, ICT and Higher education 6.1% 5.5% 9.0%

Unit 19 Universilation of Primary Education 5.8% 7.3% 7.5%

Unit 5 Education, Knowledge and Power 5.6% 6.4% 6.0%

Unit 1 The Concept of Education 5.4% 0.9% 0.0%

Unit 21 Expansion of Professional Education and Private Sector 5.0% 5.5% 6.0%

Unit 23 Education: Social Commitment vs. Commodification 5.0% 5.5% 6.0%

Unit 7 Politics of Educational Curriculum 5.0% 4.6% 4.5%

Unit 2 Theoretical Approaches 4.6% 4.6% 3.0%

Throughout this document:

• Priority 1 chapters are highlighted in yellow background (or text)
• Priority 2 chapters in bold text, and
• Priority 3 in normal text.

Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 17

Next 10 units – Priority 2
Unit Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

Unit 6 Education, Nation-building, State and Ideology 4.6% 5.5% 6.0%

Unit 24 Social and Philosophical Foundations of ODL 4.2% 2.8% 1.5%

Unit 8 Education and Socialization 4.2% 5.5% 6.0%

Unit 10 Education and Social Mobility 3.8% 2.8% 4.5%

Unit 15 Education in SAARC Countries- Case Study 3.6% 4.6% 6.0%

Unit 25 Critical Issues in ODL 3.5% 2.8% 3.0%

Unit 13 Education and Policy of Positive Discrimination and Affirmative Action 3.1% 5.5% 7.5%

Unit 12 Role of Education for Empowerment of the Marginalised 3.1% 0.9% 0.0%

Unit 17 Education: Expansion and Growth 2.9% 3.7% 0.0%

Unit 20 Crises in Higher Education 2.7% 2.8% 3.0%

Throughout this document:

• Priority 1 chapters are highlighted in yellow background (or text)
• Priority 2 chapters in bold text, and
• Priority 3 in normal text.

Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 18

Remaining units – Priority 3
Unit Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

Unit 18 Constitutional Provisions and Educational Policies 2.1% 1.8% 1.5%

Unit 9 Education and Social Change 1.9% 1.8% 1.5%

Unit 3 Thinkers on Education-I 1.9% 0.9% 0.0%

Unit 11 Role of Education in Social and Human Development: Emerging Perspectives 1.5% 2.8% 3.0%

Unit 26 ODL: The Emerging Concerns 0.8% 0.9% 1.5%

Unit 16 European/ American Countries- Case Study II 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 19

 Now, let’s look at the topics.
We suggest you use this list for revision –
to ensure that you have learnt
Priority 1 and 2 topics

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 20

The Top 15 topics – Priority 1
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

7.3 Educational Curriculum and the Politics of Domination 4.6% 4.6% 4.5%

19.5 Initiatives, Innovations and Strategies 4.2% 6.4% 6.0%

22.2 Globalisation, ICTs and the Emergence of Knowledge Society 3.3% 3.7% 6.0%

12.4 Perspective on Education for Empowerment 3.1% 0.9% 0.0%

10.11 Relationship between Education and Social Mobility in Indian Society 3.1% 0.9% 1.5%

5.4 Cultural and Economic Reproduction 2.9% 4.6% 4.5%

21.6 Concerns Regarding Private Sector Participation 2.7% 2.8% 3.0%

23.6 Commodification of Education 2.7% 3.7% 4.5%

1.9 Sociological Perspective on Education 2.5% 0.9% 0.0%

6.3 Nation-building in India 2.3% 1.8% 3.0%

21.3 Need for Private Sector Involvement in Professional Education 2.3% 2.8% 3.0%

5.3 Perpetuation of Inequality through Education 2.3% 1.8% 1.5%

14.7 Multicultural Education : Goals and Strategies 2.3% 2.8% 3.0%

18.3 Educational Policies 2.1% 1.8% 1.5%

1.2 Education and Literacy 2.1% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 21

Next 30 topics – Priority 2 (1/2)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

20.3 Major Issues 1.9% 1.8% 3.0%

4.7 Ivan Illich (1926-2002) 1.9% 3.7% 4.5%

2.2 Functionalism 1.9% 3.2% 2.2%

8.9 Gender, Socialization and Education 1.9% 2.8% 1.5%

15.4 Education in SARRC Countries: An Overview 1.9% 3.7% 4.5%

14.3 Cultural Diversities in Multicultural Education 1.9% 2.3% 1.5%

24.2 Defining Open and Distance Learning 1.9% 0.9% 1.5%

15.3 State of Education in Different SAARC Countries 1.7% 0.9% 1.5%

25.2 Equity and Access 1.5% 0.9% 1.5%

6.2 Education and Nation-building 1.5% 1.8% 1.5%

9.4 Education and Change in Society 1.5% 1.8% 1.5%

13.5 Issues of Access, Retention, and Poor Performance 1.5% 3.7% 4.5%

17.3 Growth of Education in the Post Independence Period 1.5% 2.8% 0.0%

4.4 Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) 1.3% 0.9% 1.5%

22.3 General Agreements in Trade in Services (GATS) and Education 1.3% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 22

Next 30 topics – Priority 2 (2/2)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

8.6 Social Class, Socialization and Education 1.2% 1.8% 3.0%

23.3 Constitutional and Legal Framework for Educational Development in India 1.2% 0.9% 0.0%

4.3 John Dewey (1859-1952) 1.2% 0.9% 0.0%

17.2 Growth of Education: A Historical Overview 1.2% 0.9% 0.0%

14.5 Why is Multicultural Education Essential? 1.2% 0.9% 0.0%

11.4 Education for Acceleration of Social and Human Development: International and National
1.2% Initiatives 1.8% 1.5%

13.3 Evolution of the Policy of Positive Discrimination and Affirmative Action in India 1.2% 0.9% 1.5%

2.3 Conflict Theory 1.2% 1.4% 0.7%

24.3 Philosophical Foundations 1.2% 0.9% 0.0%

14.2 Culture, Society and Multiculturalism 1.0% 0.0% 0.0%

2.5 Postmodernism 1.0% 0.0% 0.0%

24.4 Historical Evolution 0.9% 0.9% 0.0%

6.4 Nation-building in other Countries 0.8% 1.8% 1.5%

26.4 Quality Assurance in the Study Materials 0.8% 0.9% 1.5%

1.8 Cultural Dimension of Education in India 0.8% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 23

Remaining topics – Priority 3 (1/3)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

3.3 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) 0.8% 0.0% 0.0%

22.6 Globalisation , Free Market and Higher Education: A Critique 0.8% 0.0% 0.0%

23.5 international Commitment for Educational Well-being 0.8% 0.0% 0.0%

25.8 Apprehensions Regarding ODL 0.8% 0.9% 0.0%

4.5 Paulo Freire (1921-1997) 0.8% 0.9% 0.0%

4.6 Basil Bernstein (1925-2000) 0.8% 1.8% 3.0%

22.5 ICTs Marginalised People and the Higher Education in India 0.8% 1.8% 3.0%

20.4 Emerging Challenges and Search for Alternatives 0.8% 0.9% 0.0%

8.5 Family, Socialization and Education 0.8% 0.9% 1.5%

2.4 Interactionism 0.6% 0.0% 0.0%

23.2 Social Commitment for Education : Dimensions 0.4% 0.9% 1.5%

3.5 Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986) 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

9.5 Education and Social Change in India 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

11.3 Education for capacity Building of the Poor and the Marginalized 0.4% 0.9% 1.5%

3.2 Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 24

Remaining topics – Priority 3 (2/3)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

5.2 Content of Education: What is Worth Knowing? 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

19.7 Role of Distance Education in Teacher Training at Primary Level 0.4% 0.9% 1.5%

19.3 Historical Perspective 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

3.6 Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) 0.4% 0.9% 0.0%

4.2 Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

19.4 The Present Scenario 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

25.5 Networking and Collaboration 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

8.3 Socialization and Formal Education 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

13.4 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Higher Education 0.4% 0.9% 1.5%

19.6 Innovative Intervention in Teacher Education for Universalization of Elementary Education0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

10.9 Status Competition Theory 0.4% 0.9% 1.5%

25.4 Integration of Technology 0.4% 0.9% 1.5%

10.7 Meritocracy and the Functional Paradigm 0.4% 0.9% 1.5%

7.4 National Curriculum Framework 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

25.7 Research in ODL Systems 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 25

Remaining topics – Priority 3 (3/3)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

16.4 Educational Scenario in Some European Countries 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

14.4 Dimensions of Multicultural Education 0.4% 0.5% 0.0%

24.6 Emerging Models of ODL 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%

4.8 Pierre Bourdieu (1930-2002) 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

17.5 Diversification of Educational Streams 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 26

 Now that you know the most
important topics,
What Next?
Move to the next page to find out…

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 Super-Notes
A proprietary approach developed by bringing together
the best of learning theories from Psychology, design
principles from the world of visualization, and
pedagogical methods from over a decade of training
experience, that enables you to:

Learn better, faster!

Click Here to access now!
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