9685 · Oxford AQA International AS Level
9685/11
Paper 1
Psychology · 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Oxford AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.2 / 5
180
180 min
Piaget's Cognitive Development & Behavioral Therapies for Phobias
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
180
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
This assessment is categorized as moderate (3 stars out of 5).
While the papers contain several direct retrieval questions (such as defining multi-store model features or outlining the somatosensory cortex), they demand a high level of critical evaluation in the 20-mark essay questions and require exact context application in scenarios.
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 Retrieval
Weight: 5100%Application Tourism Critical
Weight: 360%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
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
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
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Write” questions.
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
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
Memory
Biopsychology
Research methods 1
Social psychology
Psychopathology
Cognitive development
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
PS01: Introductory Topics in Psychology: PS02: Biopsychology, Development and Research Methods 1:
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 RevuiSocial psychology
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPsychopathology
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBiopsychology
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCognitive development
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiResearch methods 1
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
This assessment is categorized as moderate (3 stars out of 5).
- 2Message
While the papers contain several direct retrieval questions (such as defining multi-store model features or outlining the somatosensory cortex), they demand a high level of critical evaluation in the 20-mark essay questions and require exact context application in scenarios.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
Psychology
This assessment is categorized as moderate (3 stars out of 5). While the papers contain several direct retrieval questions (such as defining multi-store model features or outlining the somatosensory cortex), they demand a high level of critical evaluation in the 20-mark essay que
This assessment is categorized as moderate (3 stars out of 5).
While the papers contain several direct retrieval questions (such as defining multi-store model features or outlining the somatosensory cortex), they demand a high level of critical evaluation in the 20-mark essay questions and require exact context application in scenarios.
- Total marks
- 180
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.2 / 5
Session analysis
This assessment is categorized as moderate (3 stars out of 5). While the papers contain several direct retrieval questions (such as defining multi-store model features or outlining the somatosensory cortex), they demand a high level of critical evaluation in the 20-mark essay questions and require exact context application in scenarios.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
PS01: Introductory Topics in Psychology: PS02: Biopsychology, Development and Research Methods 1:
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.
72% 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.
Short Answer
101·29·56%
Extended Writing
(Essay)
76·5·42%
Multiple Choice
(MCQ)
3·2·2%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Vygotsky's Theory of Cognitive Development
85%85%
The Multi-Store Model of Memory (Extended Essay)
80%80%
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Depression
75%75%
Difficulty Verdict
This assessment is categorized as moderate (3 stars out of 5). While the papers contain several direct retrieval questions (such as defining multi-store model features or outlining the somatosensory cortex), they demand a high level of critical evaluation in the 20-mark essay questions and require exact context application in scenarios.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- The 'No-Context' Trap: In scenario questions (such as Chan witnessing a theft or Pavel touching a hot pan), candidates often write abstract textbook answers without linking their explanations directly to the named characters.
- Working Memory Model Error: When critique of the Working Memory Model was asked, many students claimed it is limited because it 'does not explain long-term memory'. The marking guidelines explicitly state this is not creditworthy unless the student specifically focuses on the *connection/link* between the WMM and LTM.
- Hypothesis Construction: A recurring error in Research Methods was writing a hypothesis stating a difference instead of a correlation/relationship for a correlational design.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.