Psychology

For AQA at A-Level schools teach the 7182 specification.

For information on other exam boards please contact us.

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Course Overview

The AQA A-Level Psychology course (Specification 7182) offers students a fascinating insight into human behaviour, cognition, and mental processes. The course is divided into six core topics: Social Influence, Memory, Attachment, Psychopathology (Clinical Psychology and Mental Health for the 2025 specification), Approaches in Psychology, and Biopsychology.

In the second year, students also explore Research Methods, Issues and Debates in Psychology, and three specialist topics chosen by their school from nine possible options. These optional topics include areas such as Forensic Psychology, Schizophrenia, Gender, Cognition and Development, and Eating Behaviour, among others.

Throughout the two-year course, students develop critical thinking skills and learn to apply psychological theories and research to real-world scenarios, preparing them for both exams and further study.

Exams

Students sit three written exams at the end of the course, each lasting two hours. These papers cover the core topics, optional topics, and Research Methods. The exams include multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and extended essay responses, requiring both factual knowledge and strong evaluation skills.

Common Challenges

Many students find Research Methods particularly challenging, especially when applying statistical concepts and designing experiments. Another common difficulty is linking psychological theories to contemporary research studies and building evaluative arguments in essays.

Our Top Tips for Success

Master Research Methods Early: Build a strong foundation in statistical tests, key terms, and experimental design.
Know Your Optional Topics Well: Deepen your understanding of your school’s chosen three topics (e.g., Forensic Psychology, Schizophrenia, Gender) and practice linking these to key debates.
Plan and Practise Essays: Develop clear argument structures supported by studies and evaluation points.
Use Past Papers Strategically: Familiarity with question styles will boost exam technique and timing.

How Suppree Tuition Supports You

At Suppree Tuition, we help students master these challenges with a highly focused and personalised approach. During one-to-one sessions, we break down complex concepts such as statistical tests or research design into simple, step-by-step explanations, using real past paper examples to show how these appear in exams.

For essay-based topics like Schizophrenia or Forensic Psychology, we teach students how to structure answers using PEEL (Point, Evidence, Evaluation, Link) and provide banks of key studies and evaluation points tailored to each exam board requirement.

We also dedicate time to practising 16-mark essays under timed conditions, helping students learn how to balance AO1 (knowledge), AO2 (application), and AO3 (evaluation) for maximum marks. Past paper walkthroughs are a core part of our approach — we highlight examiners’ comments, mark schemes, and common pitfalls so students know exactly how to meet assessment objectives.

Our tutors give specific, actionable feedback after each session, ensuring that students not only know what to improve but how to improve it. This combination of targeted practice, real-world application (e.g., linking studies to current psychological research or case studies), and consistent support leaves students feeling confident and exam-ready.