Quick answer: AQA A Level Psychology (7182) is assessed by three two-hour papers, each worth 96 marks and a third of the grade. Past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports are free on the AQA website. The best way to use them is timed practice, marking against the mark scheme, and learning from the examiner reports. Lift College teaches A Level Psychology (AQA 7182) online.
What are the AQA A Level Psychology papers?
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| Paper | Title | Content | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Introductory topics in psychology | Social influence, memory, attachment, psychopathology | 2 hours | 96 | 33.3% |
| Paper 2 | Psychology in context | Approaches in psychology, biopsychology, research methods | 2 hours | 96 | 33.3% |
| Paper 3 | Issues and options in psychology | Issues and debates, plus one option from each of three groups | 2 hours | 96 | 33.3% |
Each paper mixes multiple choice, short answer and extended writing, including 16-mark essays.
Where to find past papers
AQA publishes past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports free on its past papers and mark schemes page. Choose A Level, then Psychology (7182). The most recent series are usually released to the public after a short delay; your tutor or school may have access sooner.
Which papers match the current specification?
The current AQA specification, 7182, was first examined in 2017. Papers from 2017 onwards match it. Older papers from the previous specification still help with essay practice on topics that carried over, such as memory and attachment, but the structure and some content differ.
How to use past papers well
Start with the specification
Read the specification for each topic before you practise. Past papers show how a topic is tested, not every way it can be.
Practise under timed conditions
Two hours for 96 marks is about 1.25 minutes a mark. Practise to that pace.
Learn the command words
"Outline", "describe", "explain", "evaluate" and "discuss" ask for different things. AQA's mark schemes show what each one earns.
Mark your own work
Use the mark scheme and the level descriptors for extended answers, then compare your answer with the examiner's comments.
Read the examiner reports
They say where students lost marks and what top answers did differently.
Build an essay bank
Keep a plan for each likely 16-mark essay, with its key study, evaluation points and an issue or debate you can link to.
What does a high scoring essay look like?
A top band 16-mark answer gives accurate, detailed knowledge (AO1) and thorough, effective evaluation (AO3), is clear and well organised, and uses specialist terms. Evaluation should be explained, not just listed: say why a strength or weakness matters to the theory.
Which topics come up most?
Every topic on the specification can be examined in any year, but research methods carries heavy weight, both in Paper 2 and through questions across all papers. Social influence, memory, attachment, psychopathology, approaches and biopsychology appear every series because they are compulsory. On Paper 3, issues and debates is compulsory and the rest depends on the options you studied.
Grades and UCAS points
A Level Psychology is graded A* to E. An A* carries 56 UCAS points, an A 48, a B 40, a C 32, a D 24 and an E 16.
Key facts
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| Detail | AQA 7182 |
|---|---|
| Awarding body | AQA |
| Papers | 3, each 2 hours, 96 marks |
| Grading | A* to E |
| UCAS points at A* | 56 |
| Exam series | May and June, once a year |
Study A Level Psychology online with Lift College
Lift College's A Level Psychology online course teaches AQA 7182 with a named UK tutor, tutor-marked essays and past paper practice. It costs from £42.49 a month on Study when you start now, 15% off for life, or £49.99 a month after a 7-day free trial. On +Exams it is £76.49 a month when you start now, or £89.99 a month after the trial, with your exam entry and centre fee included.
Most learners take 12 to 18 months, or faster if you study more each week. There are no formal entry requirements: the course is open to anyone aged 14 or over, and under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support. On +Exams Lift College enters you and books your seat at one of ten Tutors & Exams centres across England; on Study you arrange your own entry as a private candidate. A Levels are examined once a year in May and June.
Questions before you enrol? Contact us or call 020 4652 5904.
For a topic by topic revision plan, see our A Level Psychology past papers revision guide.