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9685 · Oxford AQA International A Level

9685/21

Paper 2

Psychology · 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: Oxford AQA

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

360

Duration

360 min

Most tested topic

Scenario-Based Theory Evaluation and Extended Essay Writing

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

360

Duration

360 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The January 2024 examination series for Oxford AQA International Psychology (9685) represents a rigorous and highly symmetric assessment of the specification.

2

With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it demands a deep conceptual understanding alongside swift, precise scenario application.

3

The difficulty is elevated primarily by the substantial essay requirements, with each of the four units containing 12-mark to 20-mark extended writing questions that examine core theoretical models such as Sperry's Split Brain Research, Biological Rhythms, Leading Questions in EWT, and the Nature-Nurture Debate.

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

Knowledge & Understanding5
Application of3
Analysis & Evaluation2
Evaluation1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Knowledge & UnderstandingKnowledge &UnderstandingApplication ofApplication ofAnalysis & EvaluationAnalysis &EvaluationEvaluationEvaluation
SkillWeightShare

  • Knowledge & Understanding

    Weight: 5100%

  • Application of

    Weight: 360%

  • Analysis & Evaluation

    Weight: 240%

  • Evaluation

    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

Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary

Level A*

Approx. 90% of maximum mark

Level A

Approx. 80% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 70% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 60% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 50% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 40% 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

ExplainFrequency: 32

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

DescribeFrequency: 11

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

EvaluateFrequency: 7

Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.

outlineFrequency: 5

Match the expected response style for “outline” questions.

DiscussFrequency: 4

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

NameFrequency: 5

Match the expected response style for “Name” questions.

CalculateFrequency: 2

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

No data available in official reports

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Memory

30 marks this session

Social psychology

30 marks this session

Psychopathology

30 marks this session

Biopsychology

30 marks this session

Cognitive development

30 marks this session

Research methods 1

30 marks this session

Psychology of sleep

30 marks this session

Schizophrenia

30 marks this session

Research methods 2

30 marks this session

Scientific approaches in psychology

30 marks this session

Issues and debates in psychology

30 marks this session

Applied psychology: Work and the individual

30 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

LowHigh
Topic
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Schizophrenia

30
30
60
120

Cognitive development

30
30
30
90

Memory

—
30
60
90

Research methods 1

30
30
30
90

Research methods 2

30
30
30
90

Social psychology

—
30
30
60

Issues and debates in psychology

—
30
30
60

Psychopathology

30
30
—
60

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

2023202420252025
2023 2023 · 3.8/52024 2024 · 3.8/52025 June 2025 · 3.8/52025 Winter 2025 · 4.0/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Unit 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology (PS01): Unit 2: Biopsychology, Development and Research Methods 1 (PS02): Unit 3: Advanced Topics and Research Methods 2 (PS03): Unit 4: Approaches and application (PS04):

90 marks90 min

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

Memory

30 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Social psychology

30 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Psychopathology

30 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Biopsychology

30 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Cognitive development

30 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Research methods 1

30 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Psychology of sleep

30 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Schizophrenia

30 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The January 2024 examination series for Oxford AQA International Psychology (9685) represents a rigorous and highly symmetric assessment of the specification.

  • 2Message

    With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it demands a deep conceptual understanding alongside swift, precise scenario application.

  • 3Message

    The difficulty is elevated primarily by the substantial essay requirements, with each of the four units containing 12-mark to 20-mark extended writing questions that examine core theoretical models such as Sperry's Split Brain Research, Biological Rhythms, Leading Questions in EWT, and the Nature-Nurture Debate.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2024 2024

Psychology

The January 2024 examination series for Oxford AQA International Psychology (9685) represents a rigorous and highly symmetric assessment of the specification. With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it demands a deep conceptual understanding alongside swift, precise scenario app

  • The January 2024 examination series for Oxford AQA International Psychology (9685) represents a rigorous and highly symmetric assessment of the specification.

  • With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it demands a deep conceptual understanding alongside swift, precise scenario application.

  • The difficulty is elevated primarily by the substantial essay requirements, with each of the four units containing 12-mark to 20-mark extended writing questions that examine core theoretical models such as Sperry's Split Brain Research, Biological Rhythms, Leading Questions in EWT, and the Nature-Nurture Debate.

Total marks
360
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

The January 2024 examination series for Oxford AQA International Psychology (9685) represents a rigorous and highly symmetric assessment of the specification. With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it demands a deep conceptual understanding alongside swift, precise scenario application. The difficulty is elevated primarily by the substantial essay requirements, with each of the four units containing 12-mark to 20-mark extended writing questions that examine core theoretical models such as Sperry's Split Brain Research, Biological Rhythms, Leading Questions in EWT, and the Nature-Nurture Debate.

Updated Jun 12, 2026

Paper breakdown

Unit 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology (PS01): Unit 2: Biopsychology, Development and Research Methods 1 (PS02): Unit 3: Advanced Topics and Research Methods 2 (PS03): Unit 4: Approaches and application (PS04):

90 marks90 min

Top chapters

Memory30 marks
Social psychology30 marks
Psychopathology30 marks
Biopsychology30 marks
Cognitive development30 marks
Research methods 130 marks
Psychology of sleep30 marks
Schizophrenia30 marks
Research methods 230 marks
Scientific approaches in psychology30 marks
Issues and debates in psychology30 marks
Applied psychology: Work and the individual30 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Memory30 marks
Social psychology30 marks
Psychopathology30 marks
Biopsychology30 marks
Cognitive development30 marks
Research methods 130 marks
Psychology of sleep30 marks
Schizophrenia30 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

57% within easy or medium reach

166
154
Easy: 40 marksMedium: 166 marksHard: 154 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Explain32 times
Describe11 times
Evaluate7 times
outline5 times
Discuss4 times
Name5 times
Calculate2 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

360Marks

  • Extended Response/Essay

    154·10·43%

  • Short Answer

    84·30·23%

  • Scenario Application

    76·14·21%

  • Practical/Graphing/Calculation

    38·7·11%

  • Multiple Choice

    8·7·2%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

Difficulty →Recurrence % →Research Methods: …Explanations of Ab…Working Memory Mod…Explanations of Ob…Cognitive Behaviou…

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Explanations of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

85%

85%

Selman's Levels of Perspective-Taking

82%

82%

The Cognitive Interview in EWT

80%

80%

Brain Plasticity and Functional Recovery

78%

78%

Difficulty Verdict

The January 2024 examination series for Oxford AQA International Psychology (9685) represents a rigorous and highly symmetric assessment of the specification. With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it demands a deep conceptual understanding alongside swift, precise scenario application. The difficulty is elevated primarily by the substantial essay requirements, with each of the four units containing 12-mark to 20-mark extended writing questions that examine core theoretical models such as Sperry's Split Brain Research, Biological Rhythms, Leading Questions in EWT, and the Nature-Nurture Debate.

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

9685/21 — Oxford AQA International A Level Psychology (2024) | Revui