A-level Psychology₇₁₈₂

Find past papers and mark schemes, and specimen papers for new courses, on our website at aqa.org.uk/pastpapers

This specification is designed to be taken over two years with all assessments taken at the end of the course.

A-level exams and certification for this specification are available for the first time in May/June 2017 and then every May/June for the life of the specification.

This is a linear qualification. In order to achieve the award, students must complete all exams in May/June in a single year. All assessments must be taken in the same series.

Our assessment in A-level Psychology includes questions that allow students to demonstrate their ability to:

• draw together their skills, knowledge and understanding from across the full course of study
• provide extended responses.

For example, sections B, C and D of Paper 3 contain extended response questions. An ‘extended response’ is evidence of sufficient length generated to allow students to demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured.

All materials are available in English only.

4.1 Aims

Courses based on this specification must encourage students to:

• develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other
• develop and demonstrate a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods
• develop competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem-solving skills
• develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject
• understand how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society.

4.2 Assessment objectives

Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across all A-level Psychology specifications and all exam boards.

The exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives.

• AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures.
• AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures:
  • in a theoretical context
  • in a practical context
  • when handling qualitative data
  • when handling quantitative data.
• AO3: Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to:
  • make judgements and reach conclusions
  • develop and refine practical design and procedures.

Weighting of assessment objectives for A-level Psychology

At least 10% of the overall assessment of Psychology will contain mathematical skills equivalent to Level 2 or above.

At least 25–30% of the overall assessment will assess skills, knowledge and understanding in relation to research methods.

4.3 Assessment weightings

The marks awarded on the papers will be scaled to meet the weighting of the components. Students’ final marks will be calculated by adding together the scaled marks for each component. Grade boundaries will be set using this total scaled mark. The scaling and total scaled marks are shown in the table below.