How to Revise A-Level Psychology

Revise A-Level Psychology with practice on approaches, biopsychology, research methods, and key psychological studies.

Revision Strategy

Revising Psychology means understanding concepts and theories well enough to apply them to real-world examples and scenarios. Start by making sure you can define and explain the key terms and theories for each topic, then practise applying them to case studies and exam-style questions. The ability to connect theory to evidence is what earns the highest marks.

Essay structure is critical in Psychology. Most extended answers require you to present arguments and counter-arguments before reaching a supported conclusion. Practise writing structured responses that clearly state a point, support it with evidence or theory, and then evaluate it before moving on. This disciplined approach prevents waffling and keeps your answers focused.

Research methods and evaluation skills are tested across many Psychology papers. Make sure you understand the strengths and weaknesses of different research approaches, can identify bias, and can evaluate the reliability and validity of evidence. These analytical skills are transferable across topics and often provide straightforward marks in the exam.

Study Tips for A-Level Psychology

✓ For every study you learn, know the aim, method, results, and conclusion, but also prepare at least two evaluation points covering strengths and limitations of the methodology. Evaluation is where the higher marks are.
✓ Master research methods thoroughly — understand experimental designs, sampling techniques, types of data, ethical guidelines, and statistical tests. Research methods questions appear across every paper and are worth a significant proportion of the total marks.
✓ Use the GRAVE acronym (Generalisability, Reliability, Application, Validity, Ethics) as a framework for evaluating studies. This ensures your evaluation points are structured and comprehensive rather than vague.
✓ Create comparison tables for different psychological approaches (biological, cognitive, behavioural, psychodynamic, humanistic). Being able to compare and contrast approaches is essential for synoptic questions.

Exam Tips for A-Level Psychology

✓ In evaluation questions, develop your points fully using a point-evidence-explain structure. Saying a study has low ecological validity is only the start — you must explain why (e.g. the lab setting created demand characteristics) and what impact this has on the conclusions.
✓ For application questions, explicitly link psychological concepts and research to the scenario provided in the question. Do not just write everything you know about a topic — the marks are awarded for applying your knowledge to the specific context.
✓ When discussing ethical issues, refer to the BPS Code of Ethics specifically and explain how ethical guidelines were addressed or violated in the study, rather than making general comments about ethics being important.

Topics to Cover

8 topics in A-Level Psychology

Approaches

Biopsychology

Research Methods

Memory

Attachment

Social Influence

Psychopathology

Issues & Debates

Available Exam Boards

A-Level Psychology specification guides for each exam board

AQA Edexcel OCR WJEC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A-Level Psychology a science? +

Yes, A-Level Psychology is classified as a science subject by all major exam boards. It involves studying research methods, designing experiments, analysing data statistically, and evaluating empirical evidence. However, some competitive university courses may specify they require a physical science (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) rather than Psychology.

How hard is A-Level Psychology? +

A-Level Psychology is moderately difficult. The content is generally accessible and interesting, but the volume of studies, theories, and evaluation points you need to learn is substantial. The research methods component requires mathematical and scientific reasoning that some students find challenging.

What do I need to study psychology at university? +

Most psychology degrees do not require A-Level Psychology, though it is helpful. Many universities ask for at least one science A-Level and good grades in GCSE Maths and English. Check individual course requirements, as some specify Biology or Maths alongside or instead of Psychology.

What careers does A-Level Psychology lead to? +

Psychology leads to careers as a clinical psychologist, counsellor, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist, occupational psychologist, human resources professional, market researcher, social worker, mental health nurse, and user experience researcher.

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