AQA A Level Psychology specification (7182)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA A Level Psychology exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA A Level Psychology specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
The AQA A-level Psychology specification is structured to develop students’ understanding of psychological concepts, theories and research methods. It fosters scientific inquiry into human behaviour and thought processes while encouraging critical analysis and evaluation. Students learn how psychological knowledge can be applied in real-life contexts, gaining skills relevant to research, communication and ethical awareness. The course provides a strong foundation for further study in psychology and related fields such as counselling, neuroscience, education and health sciences.
Subject content breakdown
1. Introductory Topics in Psychology
- Social influence (conformity, obedience, resistance)
- Memory (models, forgetting, eyewitness testimony)
- Attachment (development, animal studies, deprivation)
2. Psychology in Context
- Approaches in psychology (biological, behavioural, cognitive, humanistic)
- Psychopathology (abnormality definitions, phobias, depression, OCD)
- Research methods (experimental design, data handling, ethics)
3. Issues and Options in Psychology
- Issues and debates (free will vs determinism, nature vs nurture, reductionism)
- One from: Relationships, Gender, Cognition and Development
- One from: Schizophrenia, Eating Behaviour, Stress
- One from: Aggression, Forensic Psychology, Addiction
Mathematical Requirements
- Data interpretation and analysis
- Use of statistical tests and probability
- Graphical representation and quantitative skills
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
- Covers social influence, memory, attachment and psychopathology
- Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing
- 2 hours, 96 marks
- 33⅓% of A-level
Paper 2: Psychology in Context
- Covers approaches, biopsychology and research methods
- Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing
- 2 hours, 96 marks
- 33⅓% of A-level
Paper 3: Issues and Options in Psychology
- Covers issues and debates plus three optional topic areas
- Multiple choice, short answer and extended writing
- 2 hours, 96 marks
- 33⅓% of A-level
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA A Level Psychology isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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