9990 · Cambridge International AS Level
9990/11
Approaches, Issues and Debates
Psychology · June 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
120
180 min
Research Methods and Application
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
120
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
An in-depth examiner analysis of the Summer 2023 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21.
This series highlighted structural gaps in methodological application, key misunderstandings of core biological and cognitive concepts, and a high frequency of blank responses in detailed study results.
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.
Factual
Weight: 5100%Knowledge
Weight: 480%Methodological
Weight: 360%Application Tourism
Weight: 240%Evaluation & Analysis
Weight: 120%
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. 64% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 57% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 50% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 43% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 37% 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
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Write” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.4
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Research Methods (Scenario and Design)
48 marks this session
Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)
12 marks this session
Bandura et al. (aggression)
10 marks this session
Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test)
6 marks this session
Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans)
6 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 (Scenario and Design)
Research Methods (General Core)
Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)
Milgram (obedience) (Social approach)
Pozzulo et al. (line-ups)
Andrade (doodling) (Cognitive approach)
Fagen et al. (elephant learning)
Bandura et al. (aggression)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 Approaches, Issues and Debates (11):
Paper 2 Research Methods (21):
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
Research Methods (Scenario and Design)
48 marks this session
Practise in RevuiDement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBandura et al. (aggression)
10 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBaron-Cohen et al. (eyes test)
6 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPiliavin et al. (subway Samaritans)
6 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
An in-depth examiner analysis of the Summer 2023 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21.
- 2Message
This series highlighted structural gaps in methodological application, key misunderstandings of core biological and cognitive concepts, and a high frequency of blank responses in detailed study results.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2023 2023
Psychology
An in-depth examiner analysis of the Summer 2023 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21. This series highlighted structural gaps in methodological application, key misunderstandings of core biological and cognitive concepts, and a high frequency of blank responses in detailed study r
An in-depth examiner analysis of the Summer 2023 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21.
This series highlighted structural gaps in methodological application, key misunderstandings of core biological and cognitive concepts, and a high frequency of blank responses in detailed study results.
- Total marks
- 120
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
An in-depth examiner analysis of the Summer 2023 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21. This series highlighted structural gaps in methodological application, key misunderstandings of core biological and cognitive concepts, and a high frequency of blank responses in detailed study results.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 Approaches, Issues and Debates (11):
Paper 2 Research Methods (21):
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.
Structured/Medium Answer
(4-6 marks)
42·8·35%
Short Answer
(1-3 marks)
32·18·27%
Extended/Essay
(8-10 marks)
32·3·27%
Design/Application
(14 marks)
14·1·12%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 11 Section A …
0.67 m/minPaper 11 Section A …
0.67 m/minPaper 21 Section A …
0.65 m/minPaper 21 Section B …
0.70 m/minTotal marks
70
Total time
105 min
Avg pace
0.67
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Schachter and Singer (two factors in emotion)
85%85%
Correlational Design and Statistical Interpretation
80%80%
Cognitive Approach (Deep Methodological Application)
75%75%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Structured Short Answer, Comparison Essay, Evaluation Essay
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.