PSYCHOLOGY-9PS0 · Pearson Edexcel A Level
PSYCHOLOGY-9PS0/11
GCE Psychology Paper 1
Psychology · 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.6 / 5
260
360 min
Clinical Diagnosis Reliability, Validity and Mathematical Calculations
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
260
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.6 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
High-scoring candidates demonstrated precision in three key areas:
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 andAO2
Weight: 5100%Contextual Application
Weight: 480%ApAO3
Weight: 360%Evaluation Analysis
Weight: 240%Mathematical & Calculation
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. 53% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 44% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 36% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 28% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 20% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 12% 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.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.3
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Clinical psychology
54 marks this session
Issues and Debates
52 marks this session
Research Methods & Synoptic Skills
40 marks this session
Biological psychology
29 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
Clinical psychology
Issues and Debates
Research Methods & Review of Studies
Research Methods & Synoptic Skills
Criminological psychology
Biological psychology
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Foundations in Psychology:
Paper 2: Applications of Psychology:
Paper 3: Psychological Skills:
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
Clinical psychology
54 marks this session
Practise in RevuiIssues and Debates
52 marks this session
Practise in RevuiResearch Methods & Synoptic Skills
40 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBiological psychology
29 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
High-scoring candidates demonstrated precision in three key areas:
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2022 2022
Psychology
High-scoring candidates demonstrated precision in three key areas:
High-scoring candidates demonstrated precision in three key areas:
- Total marks
- 260
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.6 / 5
Session analysis
High-scoring candidates demonstrated precision in three key areas:
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Foundations in Psychology:
Paper 2: Applications of Psychology:
Paper 3: Psychological Skills:
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.
71% 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.
Extended Essay
(12-20 Marks)
84·5·32%
Medium Essay
(6-8 Marks)
76·10·29%
Short Answer
(1-4 Marks)
72·28·28%
Mathematical & Graphing
(1-4 Marks)
28·12·11%
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 1 Foundations…
0.67 m/minPaper 1 Foundations…
0.77 m/minPaper 2 Application…
0.72 m/minPaper 2 Application…
0.69 m/minPaper 3 Skills Sect…
0.69 m/minPaper 3 Skills Sect…
0.64 m/minTotal marks
190
Total time
270 min
Avg pace
0.70
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Multi-Store Model of Memory (MSM)
85%85%
Biological explanations of Schizophrenia (Genetics/Dopamine)
80%80%
Milgram's Agency Theory vs Social Impact Theory
75%75%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 90
- Weighting
- 35%
- Question types
- Short Answer / Scenario Apply (1-4 marks), Data Calculations & Table Completion, Medium Essays (6-8 marks), Extended Essays (12-20 marks)
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.