9990 · Cambridge International A Level
9990/23
Research Methods
Psychology · June 2024 · Variant 3
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
240
360 min
Schizophrenia and General Research Methods
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
240
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 series presented a balanced but conceptually demanding suite of papers.
While Paper 1 tested core study details with typical rigor, Papers 2, 3, and 4 required candidates to demonstrate highly integrated methodological planning and critical evaluation skills.
Students who relied on rote learning struggled on questions demanding application to novel scenarios, whereas those with strong conceptual frameworks excelled.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Cognitive
Weight: 7100%Recall
Weight: 686%Methodological
Weight: 571%Critical Evaluation
Weight: 457%Scenario Application
Weight: 229%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 67% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 53% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 46% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 39% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 32% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.8
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.5
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
General Research Methods
52 marks this session
Schizophrenia (Clinical Psychology)
34 marks this session
The product (Consumer Psychology)
26 marks this session
Anxiety disorders and fear-related disorders (Clinical Psychology)
16 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Research Methods
Organisational work conditions
Consumer decision-making
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (Clinical Psychology)
Mood (affective) disorders: depressive disorder (unipolar) and bipolar disorder
Pain
Andrade (doodling)
The physical environment (Consumer Psychology)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 Approaches, Issues and Debates:
Paper 2 Research Methods:
Paper 3 Specialist Options: Approaches, Issues and Debates:
Paper 4 Specialist Options: Application and Research Methods:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
General Research Methods
52 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSchizophrenia (Clinical Psychology)
34 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThe product (Consumer Psychology)
26 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAnxiety disorders and fear-related disorders (Clinical Psychology)
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2024 series presented a balanced but conceptually demanding suite of papers.
- 2Message
While Paper 1 tested core study details with typical rigor, Papers 2, 3, and 4 required candidates to demonstrate highly integrated methodological planning and critical evaluation skills.
- 3Message
Students who relied on rote learning struggled on questions demanding application to novel scenarios, whereas those with strong conceptual frameworks excelled.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Psychology
The May/June 2024 series presented a balanced but conceptually demanding suite of papers. While Paper 1 tested core study details with typical rigor, Papers 2, 3, and 4 required candidates to demonstrate highly integrated methodological planning and critical evaluation skills. St
The May/June 2024 series presented a balanced but conceptually demanding suite of papers.
While Paper 1 tested core study details with typical rigor, Papers 2, 3, and 4 required candidates to demonstrate highly integrated methodological planning and critical evaluation skills.
Students who relied on rote learning struggled on questions demanding application to novel scenarios, whereas those with strong conceptual frameworks excelled.
- Total marks
- 240
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 series presented a balanced but conceptually demanding suite of papers. While Paper 1 tested core study details with typical rigor, Papers 2, 3, and 4 required candidates to demonstrate highly integrated methodological planning and critical evaluation skills. Students who relied on rote learning struggled on questions demanding application to novel scenarios, whereas those with strong conceptual frameworks excelled.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 Approaches, Issues and Debates:
Paper 2 Research Methods:
Paper 3 Specialist Options: Approaches, Issues and Debates:
Paper 4 Specialist Options: Application and Research Methods:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
75% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Medium Application & Explanation
108·18·45%
Short Answer & Concept Identification
72·28·30%
Extended Design, Essay & Evaluation
60·6·25%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A (
0.50 m/minPaper 1 Section B (
0.57 m/minPaper 2 Section A (
0.68 m/minPaper 2 Section B (
0.64 m/minTotal marks
100
Total time
165 min
Avg pace
0.61
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
85%85%
Adherence to medical advice
80%80%
Piliavin et al. / Milgram comparative social questions
75%75%
May/June 2024 Psychology (9990) Examiner Analysis
The May/June 2024 series presented a balanced but conceptually demanding suite of papers. While Paper 1 tested core study details with typical rigor, Papers 2, 3, and 4 required candidates to demonstrate highly integrated methodological planning and critical evaluation skills. Students who relied on rote learning struggled on questions demanding application to novel scenarios, whereas those with strong conceptual frameworks excelled.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 25%
- Question types
- Methodological short answers, Planning and Evaluation essay
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.