How to Revise GCSE Psychology

Explore GCSE Psychology with practice on memory, perception, development, social influence, and research methods.

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 GCSE Psychology

✓ For each key study, learn the aim, method, results, and conclusion using a consistent format. Then practise evaluating each study by identifying strengths and weaknesses of the method, ethical issues, and whether the findings can be generalised.
✓ Understand the difference between the approaches (biological, cognitive, social, behavioural, psychodynamic) and be able to explain how each approach would interpret the same behaviour differently.
✓ For research methods, practise identifying independent variables, dependent variables, extraneous variables, and hypotheses from scenarios you have not seen before. This skill is tested heavily in the exam.
✓ Create mind maps linking key concepts within each topic. For example, link memory models (multi-store, working memory) to studies that support or challenge them, and to practical applications like improving revision strategies.

Exam Tips for GCSE Psychology

✓ When asked to evaluate a study, go beyond simply saying it lacks ecological validity. Explain why — for example, a laboratory experiment on memory may lack ecological validity because memorising word lists does not reflect how we use memory in daily life.
✓ For application questions, you must refer to the scenario provided. Pull specific details from the stem and explain them using psychological concepts. Answers that ignore the scenario will be capped.
✓ Show awareness of ethical guidelines when discussing research. Mention informed consent, right to withdraw, deception, and protection from harm where relevant — examiners expect you to consider the ethics of any study you discuss.

Topics to Cover

8 topics in GCSE Psychology

Memory

Perception

Development

Social Influence

Research Methods

Brain & Neuropsychology

Psychological Problems

Language & Thought

Available Exam Boards

GCSE Psychology specification guides for each exam board

AQA Edexcel OCR

Frequently Asked Questions

How is GCSE Psychology assessed? +

There are two written exam papers, each around 1 hour 45 minutes. The papers cover different topic areas plus research methods. All questions are compulsory, and there is a mix of multiple choice, short answer, and extended writing.

Is GCSE Psychology a science? +

Yes, Psychology is classified as a science because it uses the scientific method — forming hypotheses, conducting controlled experiments, and analysing data. The GCSE includes a significant research methods component that teaches you these skills.

What topics do I study in GCSE Psychology? +

Common topics include memory, perception, development, research methods, social influence, language thought and communication, brain and neuropsychology, and psychological problems. The exact topics depend on your exam board.

Is GCSE Psychology hard? +

Psychology is very accessible because the content relates to everyday life. However, achieving top grades requires strong evaluation skills, a solid understanding of research methods, and the ability to apply psychological concepts to unfamiliar scenarios.

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