AS and A-level Psychology specification updates for first AS exams in 2026 and A-level in 2027

We have made changes to our Psychology (7181) and (7182) specifications from first teach in September 2025. View the updated specification changes and latest resources we have available for AS level and A-level Psychology

2.0 Specification at a glance

These qualifications are linear. Linear means that students will sit all the AS exams at the end of their AS course and all the A-level exams at the end of their A-level course.

2.1 AS

Subject content

Assessments

Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology

What's assessed

Compulsory content 1–3 above

Assessed

  • written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 72 marks in total
  • 50% of AS

Questions

Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks

Section B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks

Section C: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks

Paper 2: Psychology in Context

What's assessed

Compulsory content 4–6 above

Assessed

  • written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 72 marks in total
  • 50% of AS

Questions

Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks

Section B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks

Section C: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks

2.2 A-level

Subject content

Compulsory content

Optional

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3

Assessments

Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology

What's assessed

Compulsory content 1–4 above

Assessed

  • written exam: 2 hours
  • 96 marks in total
  • 33.3% of A-level

Questions

  • Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
  • Section B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
  • Section C: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
  • Section D: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks

Paper 2: Psychology in Context

What's assessed

Compulsory content 5–7 above

Assessed

  • written exam: 2 hours
  • 96 marks in total
  • 33.3% of A-level

Questions

  • Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
  • Section B: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
  • Section C: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 48 marks

Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology

What's assessed

Compulsory content 8 above

Optional content, one from option 1, 9–11, one from option 2, 12–14, one from option 3, 15–17 above

Assessed

  • written exam: 2 hours
  • 96 marks in total
  • 33.3% of A-level

Questions

  • Section A: multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
  • Section B: one topic from option 1, 9–11 above, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
  • Section C: one topic from option 2, 12–14 above, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks
  • Section D: one topic from option 3, 15–17 above, multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, 24 marks