How to Revise International A-Level Psychology

Explore International A-Level Psychology with practice on core approaches, research methods, and specialist topics.

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 International A-Level Psychology

✓ Learn key psychological studies in detail - know the researcher, aim, method, results, conclusions and evaluative points for each. iAL Psychology exams require specific study knowledge.
✓ Practice writing AO3 (evaluation) paragraphs. For every theory or study, prepare strengths, weaknesses, methodological issues and alternative explanations.
✓ Understand research methods thoroughly, including experimental design, sampling techniques, ethical guidelines and statistical analysis. Research methods questions appear in every paper.
✓ Create comparison tables for competing theories on the same topic (e.g. explanations of obedience, models of memory) to prepare for evaluation questions.

Exam Tips for International A-Level Psychology

✓ Balance your answers between description (AO1) and evaluation (AO3). Many students describe too much and evaluate too little. At International A-Level, roughly half your marks come from evaluation.
✓ Use psychological terminology precisely. Refer to operationalisation, ecological validity, demand characteristics and other methodological concepts by their proper names.
✓ In application questions, explicitly link psychological theory to the scenario provided. Do not just describe the theory - explain how it applies to the specific situation in the question.

Topics to Cover

8 topics in International A-Level Psychology

Approaches

Research Methods

Biopsychology

Cognitive Psychology

Social Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Abnormal Psychology

Issues & Debates

Available Exam Boards

International A-Level Psychology specification guides for each exam board

Cambridge International Edexcel International

Frequently Asked Questions

Is International A-Level Psychology a science? +

Yes. Psychology is classified as a science A-Level and involves the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. The course covers research methods, statistical analysis and evidence-based evaluation of theories.

Do I need International A-Level Psychology to study psychology at university? +

Most university psychology courses do not require A-Level Psychology, though it is obviously beneficial. Many courses prefer at least one science or maths A-Level. Check individual university requirements.

How is International A-Level Psychology different from UK A-Level Psychology? +

The content and skills are similar, but the International A-Level uses a modular structure with multiple exam sessions per year and resit opportunities. The specific studies and topics covered may differ slightly from UK specifications.

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