9990 · Cambridge International AS Level
9990/11
Approaches, Issues and Debates
Psychology · June 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
120
180 min
Research Methods Design and Implementation (Paper 2 Core)
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
120
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2025 AS Level Psychology examination maintains high standardisation while introducing highly specific questions on the newer core syllabus additions.
Paper 11 (Approaches, Issues and Debates) tests precise experimental details of studies like Fagen et al.
(elephants) and Perry et al.
(personal space), while Paper 21 (Research Methods) continues to emphasize practical application over rote memorisation.
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.
Knowledge & Understanding
Weight: 7100%Recall Methodological
Weight: 686%Research
Weight: 457%Design &
Weight: 343%Ethical 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. 61% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 54% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 48% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 41% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 35% 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.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” 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
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Milgram (obedience) (Social approach)
14 marks this session
Andrade (doodling) (Cognitive approach)
12 marks this session
Pozzulo et al. (line-ups) (Cognitive approach)
7 marks this session
Bandura et al. (aggression) (Learning approach)
7 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 11 (Approaches, Issues and Debates):
Paper 21 (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
Milgram (obedience) (Social approach)
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAndrade (doodling) (Cognitive approach)
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPozzulo et al. (line-ups) (Cognitive approach)
7 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBandura et al. (aggression) (Learning approach)
7 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 2025 AS Level Psychology examination maintains high standardisation while introducing highly specific questions on the newer core syllabus additions.
- 2Message
Paper 11 (Approaches, Issues and Debates) tests precise experimental details of studies like Fagen et al.
- 3Message
(elephants) and Perry et al.
- 4Message
(personal space), while Paper 21 (Research Methods) continues to emphasize practical application over rote memorisation.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2025 2025
Psychology
The May/June 2025 AS Level Psychology examination maintains high standardisation while introducing highly specific questions on the newer core syllabus additions. Paper 11 (Approaches, Issues and Debates) tests precise experimental details of studies like Fagen et al. (elephants)
The May/June 2025 AS Level Psychology examination maintains high standardisation while introducing highly specific questions on the newer core syllabus additions.
Paper 11 (Approaches, Issues and Debates) tests precise experimental details of studies like Fagen et al.
(elephants) and Perry et al.
- Total marks
- 120
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2025 AS Level Psychology examination maintains high standardisation while introducing highly specific questions on the newer core syllabus additions. Paper 11 (Approaches, Issues and Debates) tests precise experimental details of studies like Fagen et al. (elephants) and Perry et al. (personal space), while Paper 21 (Research Methods) continues to emphasize practical application over rote memorisation. Overall, the papers represent a medium-high difficulty level, where high-scoring candidates are distinguished by their ability to link generic methodological principles to specific psychological contexts.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 (Approaches, Issues and Debates):
Paper 21 (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.
79% 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.
Outline / Description with Application
38·12·32%
Methodological Critique / Explanation
34·10·28%
Short Answer Recall / ID
24·14·20%
Evaluation Essay
(with named issues)
14·2·12%
Design Planning Essay
10·1·8%
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 B …
0.67 m/minPaper 21 Section A …
0.67 m/minTotal marks
84
Total time
126 min
Avg pace
0.67
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans)
5%5%
Baron-Cohen et al. (Eyes Test)
4%4%
Dement and Kleitman (biological sleep stages)
4%4%
Difficulty Verdict & Paper Breakdown
The May/June 2025 AS Level Psychology examination maintains high standardisation while introducing highly specific questions on the newer core syllabus additions. Paper 11 (Approaches, Issues and Debates) tests precise experimental details of studies like Fagen et al. (elephants) and Perry et al. (personal space), while Paper 21 (Research Methods) continues to emphasize practical application over rote memorisation. Overall, the papers represent a medium-high difficulty level, where high-scoring candidates are distinguished by their ability to link generic methodological principles to specific psychological contexts.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Vague terminology: In Fagen et al., writing "food" instead of the specific "banana" as the primary reinforcer received zero marks.
- Data omissions: For Dement and Kleitman, candidates had to use exact numerical data (e.g., 152 dream recalls in REM vs. 0 in NREM for participant KK) to secure full credit on result outlines.
- Non-contextualised evaluation: On Paper 21, general statements about generalisability or ethics that did not reference the specific study details (such as Milgram’s diverse occupations) were strictly marked down.
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.