Psychology

exam board specification


"I really enjoy Psychology because it teaches me about the brain, how it works and how it affects human behaviour. There is also lots of support available and it is a very rewarding course." - Alexis Williams, Leeds Jewish Free School

Qualification

A-level 

Assessment

100% Exam

Paper 1 - Research Methods (33.3%)

This component develops knowledge and understanding of how psychologists plan, conduct, analyse and report psychological research. Students will learn about a range of experimental and non-experimental research methods and will carry out their own small-scale practical investigations. These include experiments, observations, questionnaires and interviews, as well as analysing correlational and qualitative data. Students will also develop skills in data analysis, statistics, report writing and understanding psychology as a science.

The paper is a 2-hour examination worth 80 marks. Section A contains 15 multiple-choice questions. Section B focuses on research design and response to a novel source, including planning, evaluating and improving research. Section C focuses on analysing and interpreting data using descriptive and inferential statistics. Mathematical skills form an important part of this paper. 

Paper 2 - Core Studies in Psychology (33.3%)

This component introduces some of the central areas of psychology through 15 core studies. Students study three studies from each of five areas: social, cognitive, developmental, biological and individual differences psychology. The studies include both classic and more contemporary psychological research and explore individual, social and cultural diversity. 

The 2-hour, 80-mark examination has three sections. Section A assesses knowledge, understanding and evaluation of the core studies. Section B explores the wider areas, perspectives, issues and debates within psychology. Section C requires students to apply their psychological knowledge to a novel source or real-world situation. 

Paper 3 – Applied Psychology (33.%)

This component explores how psychological theories and research can be applied to important real-world issues. Students study two compulsory topics: Mental Health and Criminal Psychology, together with one additional option. The available options are Child Psychology, Environmental Psychology, or Sport and Exercise Psychology. At our college, students study Child Psychology as their optional topic. 

The 2-hour, 80-mark examination contains three sections. Section A assesses Mental Health, including definitions of mental health, the medical model, alternatives to the medical model and modern approaches to mental health. Section B assesses Criminal Psychology, including why people turn to crime, building a case, psychology in the courtroom and managing offenders. Section C assesses the optional topic studied. Questions range from short-answer questions to extended responses. 

You can take a look at the exam specification here.

What do I need to study this course?

You will need a grade 5 in GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths, and grade 44 in GCSE Combined Science.

What will I study?

Research Methods: You will learn how psychologists design and conduct research, collect and analyse data and draw conclusions. You will develop practical research skills through experiments, observations, questionnaires and interviews, as well as learning statistical and mathematical techniques.

Core Studies in Psychology: You will study 15 important psychological studies covering social, cognitive, developmental, biological and individual differences psychology. You will examine what these studies tell us about human behaviour and evaluate how psychological research is carried out. Some of the studies are very modern and look at the use of AI in therapy or racial bias in diagnosis of mental disorders.

Applied Psychology: You will explore how psychology can help us understand and address real-world issues. You will study Mental Health and Criminal Psychology, as well as Child Psychology as an additional applied topic.

Areas, Perspectives, Issues and Debates: These themes run throughout the course. You will consider different ways of explaining behaviour and key debates including nature versus nurture, freewill versus determinism, reductionism versus holism, individual versus situational explanations, and psychology as a science. You will also consider ethical issues, socially sensitive research and the usefulness of psychological research. 

What next?

Psychology can lead to many careers including:

• Clinical Psychology
• Counselling
• Educational Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Occupational Psychology