OCR A-Level Psychology exam papers and weighting (H567)
Guide overview All 21 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each OCR A-Level Psychology paper assesses
OCR A-Level Psychology (specification H567) is sat as three papers: component 01 is worth 30% and components 02 and 03 35% each. Component 01 is research methods, component 02 the twenty core studies in ten key themes with the areas, perspectives and debates that frame them, and component 03 applied psychology: a compulsory section on issues in mental health plus two of four applied options. All four options are banked here, so pick the two you are sitting on the topic selection page and the other two drop away. **This specification is being replaced by H569: the final first teach was September 2026 and the final assessment is June 2028. From September 2027 schools teach H569, first examined in June 2029, and a student resitting after June 2028 sits H569.**
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Component 01 Research methods |
Research methods and techniques, planning and conducting research, and the analysis and presentation of data Report writing, the nature of science and the mathematical requirements Section A: 20 multiple choice questions; section B: research design around a novel source; section C: analysing and interpreting novel data, with at least 30 marks on mathematics |
2 hours | 90 marks | 30% |
|
Component 02 Psychological themes through core studies |
Section A: the twenty core studies, paired as a classic and a contemporary study in ten key themes Section B: the five areas, the two perspectives and the eight debates in psychology Section C: applying psychology to a novel source, and evaluating your own suggestions |
2 hours | 105 marks | 35% |
|
Component 03 Applied psychology |
Section A: Issues in mental health, compulsory for every learner Section B: two of child, criminal, environmental, and sport and exercise psychology Each applied topic is studied as background, key research and application |
2 hours | 105 marks | 35% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Component | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Methods and Techniques | Component 01: Research methods | Component 01 | 85 |
| Planning and Conducting Research | Component 01: Research methods | Component 01 | 124 |
| Data Recording, Analysis and Presentation | Component 01: Research methods | Component 01 | 155 |
| Report Writing and Scientific Communication | Component 01: Research methods | Component 01 | 49 |
| Practical Activities and the Nature of Science | Component 01: Research methods | Component 01 | 72 |
| Mathematical Requirements for Research Methods | Component 01: Research methods | Component 01 | 177 |
| Studying and Evaluating the Core Studies: the Common Framework | Component 02: Psychological themes through core studies | Component 02 | 104 |
| Core Studies: Social Area | Component 02: Psychological themes through core studies | Component 02 | 182 |
| Core Studies: Cognitive Area | Component 02: Psychological themes through core studies | Component 02 | 144 |
| Core Studies: Developmental Area | Component 02: Psychological themes through core studies | Component 02 | 146 |
| Core Studies: Biological Area | Component 02: Psychological themes through core studies | Component 02 | 137 |
| Core Studies: Individual Differences Area | Component 02: Psychological themes through core studies | Component 02 | 141 |
| Areas and Perspectives in Psychology | Component 02: Psychological themes through core studies | Component 02 | 210 |
| Debates in Psychology | Component 02: Psychological themes through core studies | Component 02 | 200 |
| Practical Applications of Psychology | Component 02: Psychological themes through core studies | Component 02 | 26 |
| Issues in Mental Health | Component 03: Applied psychology | Component 03 | 189 |
| Child Psychology | Component 03: Applied psychology | Component 03 | 301 |
| Criminal Psychology | Component 03: Applied psychology | Component 03 | 305 |
| Environmental Psychology | Component 03: Applied psychology | Component 03 | 312 |
| Sport and Exercise Psychology | Component 03: Applied psychology | Component 03 | 309 |
| Methodological Issues and Debates Running Through Applied Psychology | Component 03: Applied psychology | Component 03 | 169 |
Assessment details from the OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Psychology, specification H567, version 1.4. Replaced by H569: final assessment June 2028. OCR specification.
OCR A-Level Psychology Active Recall Guide
3,537 questions across every paper on the specification.