How to Revise for IGCSE Psychology

Revising for your IGCSE Psychology exam can feel a bit daunting, especially with all the named studies, theories, and research methods you need to master. It might seem like a lot, but don’t worry—there are ways to make your revision more effective (and even enjoyable).

As a Psychology teacher with over 10 years of experience, I’m here to share some tried-and-tested revision tips. With a good plan, you’ll be ready to walk into your exams feeling prepared and confident.

Know your specification

Your IGCSE Psychology specification (whether it’s Cambridge or OxfordAQA) is your best friend. It outlines exactly what you need to know for each exam paper—from topics like Memory and Social Influence to Research Methods and Perception.

Think of the specification as a checklist that keeps you on track. It is there to help you focus on what the examiners expect you to learn. Remember that you could be questioned on any of the content listed in the specification.

Top Tip: Before you start revising, skim the specification and turn each point into a checklist (or ask your teacher for one). Highlight the topics you find tricky and tackle those first. This keeps your study time focused and ensures you cover every required topic.

Master key terms and concepts

Psychology has a unique language: key terms like independent variable, schema, cerebellum, or egocentrism can pop up in your exams. Knowing concepts like these and their definitions is essential because

• They help you understand important areas of psychology

• You’ll often need to use or define them in short-answer and extended responses

• Examiners reward precise and correct terminology

Top Tips: Review your exam specification, as exam boards clearly state the key terms and concepts you may need to define. Use our psychology glossary (or the back of your textbook) to help you understand and define key terms accurately. 

Find a strategy that helps you learn these key terms; some examples are below:

• Glossary Notebook: Keep a log of important key terms and definitions. Update it regularly

• DIY Quizzes: Create multiple-choice quizzes or matching exercises to test yourself

• Flashcards: Write the term on one side and the definition on the other. Over time, add extra details like examples or related studies

• Mind Maps: For bigger concepts (e.g., explanations of prosocial behaviour, memory stores, language development), make a visual map of the key ideas, strengths/weaknesses, and any relevant psychologists

Know your named studies 

Gilchrist and Nesberg’s study of motivation on perception, Murdock’s study on the serial position effect, and Von Frisch’s bee study—these are examples of studies you might encounter in IGCSE Psychology. Referring to relevant research shows that you understand the evidence behind theories. It also helps you evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.

Top Tip: Compile a summary of all the named studies or theories your exam board requires. Exam board specifications list the ones you could be asked about explicitly. Create revision grids or mind maps for each study, including:

• The aim and method of the research

• The results and conclusions

• Any criticisms (ethical, methodological, or theoretical)

Having these summaries at hand makes it easier to recall details during the exam, for example: 

Know your learning style

Everyone learns differently, so it is helpful to identify your preferred learning style early on. Try out different revision techniques until you find the one that works for you

Below are a few ideas to help you get started:

• Visual learners: Use mind maps, diagrams, and colour-coding

  • These are especially helpful for revising concepts such as the models of memory

• Auditory learners: Record yourself summarising topics on your phone or watch videos on the topics that you are revising

  • Teaching others helps you to understand the content you’re learning

• Kinaesthetic learners: Create physical models or carry out experiments

  • Practical experience is essential for understanding the research methods content in IGCSE Psychology
    

Know your assessment objectives and command words

In IGCSE Psychology, Assessment Objectives (AOs) tell you which skills are being assessed. Make sure you know what the following AOs mean:

• AO1: Knowledge and understanding

• AO2: Application to scenarios

• AO3: Analysis and evaluation

Likewise, command words (e.g., explain, outline, or evaluate) tell you what the examiners are looking for in your answers. For example, if the question says “evaluate,” you need strengths, weaknesses, and a justified conclusion. It is important to know your command words and structure your answers accordingly.

Top Tip: Know the assessment objectives (AOs) and command words—your exam board (whether it’s Cambridge or OxfordAQA) publishes them online. When you understand exactly what each question demands, you can keep your answers focused and avoid dropping easy marks.

Know your exam papers

Go through past papers to understand the structure of the questions and the types of tasks you might face. Whether it’s multiple-choice, short-answer, or an extended response, each question format tests a different skill.

• Practice under timed conditions to get used to working under pressure

• Review mark schemes to see how marks are awarded and what excellent answers look like

• Use examiners’ reports to learn from common mistakes made by past students

Top Tip: When practising past papers, set a timer. This will help you build good time management skills so you can finish all the questions within the time limit on exam day.

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References

Cambridge University Press & Assessment (2024) Cambridge IGCSE™ Psychology 0266, Version 2: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/718092-2027-2029-syllabus.pdf Accessed 19 May 2025

Oxford International AQA Examinations (2023) Oxford AQA International GCSE Psychology (9218), Version 1.1: https://www.oxfordaqa.com/qualifications/international-gcse-psychology/ Accessed 19 May 2025