Guide to A Level Psychology
Psychology is the second most popular A Level in the UK (after Maths). But what does Psychology A Level test, how difficult is it, and how can you achieve top grades?
How hard is A Level Psychology?
It is difficult to achieve high grades in Psychology. In 2023, only 19.1% of pupils achieved an A or A* in Psychology compared to an average of 27.2% across all subjects.
One aspect of the course which sometimes puts students off is statistics. This is unfamiliar for some students, especially those not taking STEM subjects at A Level. However, the content of the A Level Psychology curriculum is not mathematically rigorous, and is not designed to require A Level Maths.
On the other hand, Psychology does contain a lot of content to learn and memorise, especially the details of psychological studies, which some students find challenging. Furthermore, Psychology is an essay subject, but an unusual one – the essays you are required to write are shorter than those for arts or humanities subjects (or even Sociology) and more formulaic. Learning the knack of Psychology essays takes some time, practice, and plenty of attention to the mark scheme. However, it is eminently achievable, whether your other A Levels are more scientific or artsy.
How to get the best grade in A Level Psychology
Achieving high grades in Psychology is difficult but there are several strategies you can put in place to significantly improve your chances.
The first step is to familiarise yourself with the specification for the exam board you are taking. This is available on the exam board’s website. Get to grips with the key topics, subtopics, and the structure of the exams. If you’re struggling with certain topics, don’t hesitate to ask your teachers or peers for help. Ensure you know the key studies and theories in-depth. Be able to describe, evaluate, and apply them in various contexts.
Take detailed notes in class and review these regularly to consolidate your knowledge and identify any areas which you are weaker in. This will make the task of revision so much more straightforward, as consistent study has been proven time and again to be more effective than cramming.
Your studies will benefit from making use of the many learning resources available. We have linked to some good online resources for the topics students most often find challenging below. However, textbooks, revision guides and your teacher’s notes will all provide different perspectives on the course content, and any one of these could unlock your understanding.
This is where an experienced A Level Psychology tutor comes in. Working 1-1 with a tutor who knows the syllabus inside-out and has a track record of success at A Level can give you the best chance of mastering the content. A good tutor will adapt to your preferred way of learning, taking more time over areas you find challenging, to ensure that you have no gaps in your knowledge. At SLT, all our tutors are highly experienced, personally vetted, subject-matter experts.
When it comes to the final A Levels, the effective application of exam technique can be the difference between grade boundaries. A lot of this can be honed during revision (more on that below) but even following the basics such as efficient time management and ensuring you read and answer each question carefully can ensure you avoid the most common mark-losing piftalls.
The examiners’ reports make clear that only addressing part of the question or answering irrelevantly is the most frequent cause of lost marks. It is also worth paying attention to the number of marks available for each question and given an answer of corresponding length. Examiners state that students often give unnecessary detail (e.g. lengthy description of studies) when application of knowledge to the scenario is what is required.
How to revise for Psychology
Psychology is an unusual subject which requires a mixture of skills – memorisation, essay-writing, critical thinking and mathematics. Your revision will need to ensure you build up these core skills as well as covering the syllabus content.
We always recommend that you begin by reviewing the A Level specification and then preparing a revision timetable which allocates time to cover each topic. Do not forget to allow extra time to go back over particularly challenging areas, as well as to practice past papers.
A lot of students find flashcards useful for revising key psychological concepts and studies. Regular revision using spaced repetition techniques like the Leitner system are proven to be highly effective.
Once you have revised the syllabus, it’s time to begin past paper practice. We recommend that you sit at least five past papers to get used to the style of questions and how they are asked. Then, review the mark scheme for that year, making careful note of what the examiners reward and what they do not. This attention to exam technique is vital for ensuring that achieve the grade you deserve. You can use your performance in past papers to further target your revision in the final weeks before the exam.
At least two of the past papers you sit should be under exam conditions – against the clock and without notes. This will prepare you for the experience of sitting the real thing and will ensure you are well equipped to handle the pressure.
Exam boards
Psychology is offered by all major exam boards. AQA tends to be the most popular, but it is also offered by Eduqas, OCR, Edexcel and CIE.
Past papers
Click here to access past papers for A Level Psychology for all major exam boards.
Grade boundaries for A Level Psychology
Grade boundaries vary from year to year and exam board to exam board. However, an average of three major exam boards in 2023 indicates that grade boundaries are roughly:
- A* = 70%
- A = 62%
- B = 51%
- C = 41%
Learning resources
The following learning resources address the topics students most commonly find challenging:
- approaches
- attachment
- biological approach
- biopsychology
- cognitive approach
- cognitive neuroscience
- forensic psychology
- memory
- origins of psychology
- relationships
- research methods
- schizophrenia
- social learning theory
- statistical tests
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Psychology A Level hard?
A Level Psychology is challenging and a relatively low number of students achieve A or A* grades compared to other subjects. However, with careful revision, hard work and the support of a good teacher or private tutor, top grades are certainly achievable.
What is in A Level Psychology?
Psychology is the study of the human mind and behaviour. The A Level will cover a range of key topics of interest to psychologists (such as how humans behave alone and in groups, the nature of mental illnesses like Schizophrenia, and how romantic relationships work) as well as the history of Psychology, the research methods and approaches used, and ethical debates within the discipline.
Is Psychology A Level worth it?
Psychology is a fascinating A Level if you are interested in human thought, attitudes and behaviour. It can lead on to a wide range of interesting professions, including counselling, therapy or marketing. Psychology pairs well with either science A Levels like Biology, social sciences like Sociology, or arts and humanities subjects like English Literature.
How to pass A Level in Psychology
To pass A Level Psychology, take detailed notes in class and review them a little and often to consolidate your knowledge. Ask teachers and peers for help on any challenging topics. Begin your revision early, paying careful attention to the specification and mark scheme, and do plenty of past paper practice. Consider working with an experience private tutor to give your preparation an extra boost.