Edexcel A-Level Psychology exam papers and weighting (9PS0)
Guide overview All 8 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each Edexcel A-Level Psychology paper assesses
Edexcel A-Level Psychology (specification 9PS0) is examined on three papers. Paper 1 is the four foundation topics — social, cognitive, biological and learning — which everyone sits. Paper 2 pairs compulsory clinical psychology with one application chosen from criminological, child and health. Paper 3 sets no new content: it re-examines the research methods, studies and issues and debates that run through every topic. All eight topics are banked here, so pick your application on the topic selection page and the other two drop away.
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper 1 Foundations in psychology |
Social, cognitive, biological and learning psychology, all compulsory Each topic carries its own content, research methods, classic and contemporary studies and key question Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, including questions on the studies |
2 hours | 90 marks | 35% |
|
Paper 2 Applications of psychology |
Clinical psychology, compulsory, plus one option from criminological, child and health psychology Covers the content, methods and studies of both topics sat Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing across the two applications |
2 hours | 90 marks | 35% |
|
Paper 3 Psychological skills |
Sets no new content: it draws on the methods, studies and debates carried inside every topic Section A on research methods, Section B a review of studies, Section C on issues and debates Rewards the ability to evaluate evidence and argue across the whole specification |
2 hours | 80 marks | 30% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Social Psychology | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 385 |
| Cognitive Psychology | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 353 |
| Biological Psychology | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 292 |
| Learning Theories | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 327 |
| Clinical Psychology | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 442 |
| Criminological Psychology | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 306 |
| Child Psychology | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 293 |
| Health Psychology | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 340 |
Assessment details from the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Psychology, specification 9PS0. Pearson Edexcel specification.
Edexcel A-Level Psychology Active Recall Guide
2,738 questions across every paper on the specification.