An expert examiner and study guide for Oxford AQA International AS Level Psychology (9685), outlining paper structures, assessment objective distributions, and key diagnostic advice for high-mark essays and quantitative Research Methods questions.
読了時間 4 分更新日: 2026年6月21日
試験の概要
試験数
2
満点
180
制限時間
3時間
出題形式
3
試験
時間
配点
問題数
配点比率
出題形式
Unit 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
1時間 30分
90
18
50%
Short Answer (Outline differences), Short Answer (Definition), Medium Answer (Outline study procedure), Medium Answer (Explain strength/limitation), Scenario Application (Cognitive interview), Theoretical Description (Model description), Medium Answer (Explain model limitation), Short Answer (Outline findings and conclusions), Scenario Application (Social support / LOC), Extended Evaluation Essay (Describe and evaluate study), Short Answer (Outline clinical definition), Short Answer (Explain definition strength), Scenario Application (DFIMH / FFA abnormal criteria), Multiple Choice (Concept identification), Medium Answer (Brief evaluation of theory), Short Answer (Name and describe clinical features), Extended Essay (Describe and evaluate clinical explanation)
Unit 2: Biopsychology, Development and Research Methods 1
1時間 30分
90
25
50%
Short Answer (Definition of localization), Short Answer (Name and outline area), Medium Answer (Explain glands/hormones with example), Short Answer (Describe system function), Short Answer (Explain research strength), Short Answer (Describe study procedure and findings), Scenario Application (Somatic reflex/neurons sequence), Scenario Application (Plasticity / recovery mechanisms), Multiple Choice (Theoretical term exception), Medium Answer (Describe schema processes), Medium Answer (Evaluate neurological systems research), Extended Essay with Scenario (Describe and evaluate study), Short Answer (Methodology term definition), Short Answer (Identify co-variables), Short Answer (Hypothesis definition), Medium Answer (Write correlational hypothesis), Medium Answer (Explain ethics significance), Short Answer (Detailing consent protocols), Short Answer (Define positive correlation), Short Answer (Identify and explain design type), Medium Answer (Describe random allocation procedure), Short Answer (Identify operationalised IV), Short Answer (Identify extraneous variable and effect), Short Answer (Define demand characteristics), Short Answer (Explain demand characteristics effect)
評価段階
ABCDEU
電卓の規定
A scientific or graphical calculator is permitted. Graphical calculators must be in exam mode with all stored programs and data cleared before the exam; the calculator must not be able to retrieve stored text or formulae.
AO1: AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures. (40%)
AO2: AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures. (30%)
AO3: AO3: Analyse and evaluate scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures: make judgements and reach conclusions. (30%)
過去問と採点基準にもとづいて作成（2023–2025）。
電卓プログラム
Graph: zeros, intersections & turning points
Graphical calculator / GDC (exam mode)
目的: Plot a function to read its roots (zeros), points of intersection, and maxima/minima.
使う場面: Checking solutions, sketching, or solving where an analytic method is hard.
手順
Graph the function(s) and use the built-in zero, intersect and maximum/minimum tools.
試験での注意: Allowed, but clear stored programs/data (graphical calculators in exam mode) and show the required working — unsupported calculator answers score no method marks.
Numerical equation solver
Graphical calculator / GDC (exam mode)
目的: Solve an equation or find a variable numerically when an algebraic route is long or implicit.
使う場面: Iterative or implicit equations, or to confirm an algebraic solution.
手順
Use the equation/zero solver, entering the equation and a sensible starting estimate.
試験での注意: Allowed, but clear stored programs/data (graphical calculators in exam mode) and show the required working — unsupported calculator answers score no method marks.
Numerical integration & differentiation
Graphical calculator / GDC (exam mode)
目的: Evaluate a definite integral \(\int_a^b f(x)\,dx\) or a gradient \(f'(x)\) at a point.
使う場面: Checking calculus answers, or where only a numerical value is needed.
手順
Use the GDC's numeric integral / derivative function with the limits or the point.
試験での注意: Allowed, but clear stored programs/data (graphical calculators in exam mode) and show the required working — unsupported calculator answers score no method marks.
Statistics & probability distributions
Graphical calculator / GDC (exam mode)
目的: 1-var/2-var statistics, linear regression, and cumulative binomial / normal / Poisson probabilities without tables.
使う場面: Statistics questions and hypothesis tests.
手順
Enter data in the statistics editor, or use the distribution menu (binomial cdf, normal cdf, …).
試験での注意: Allowed, but clear stored programs/data (graphical calculators in exam mode) and show the required working — unsupported calculator answers score no method marks.
よくあるミス
1high影響する配点: 2Memory
Referencing semantic memory when asked to outline differences between episodic and procedural memory.
回避方法: Contrast episodic and procedural memory directly (e.g., content, conscious awareness, or time-stamping). The mark scheme strictly penalizes and awards no marks for reference to semantic memory.
2high影響する配点: 3Psychopathology
Describing the process of systematic desensitisation generally without direct reference to the scenario phobia (e.g., Asher's phobia of horses).
回避方法: Integrate scenario details into each step of the SD process (e.g., building a hierarchy starting with a picture of a horse, moving to standing next to a horse, and finally touching a horse). Generic textbook answers are capped at a maximum of 1 mark.
3high影響する配点: 3Research methods 1
Writing a directional/null hypothesis or a statement of difference instead of a non-directional correlational relationship in Section C.
回避方法: Ensure non-directional correlational hypotheses state a 'relationship' or 'correlation' between two fully operationalised variables (e.g., 'the number of years a person plays tennis' and 'their score out of 50 in the mathematics test') without using language of difference or causation.
4high影響する配点: 4Research methods 1
Constructing graphs with incomplete, non-operationalised titles, incorrect axis starts, or touching bars.
回避方法: Write a fully operationalised title (e.g., 'Line graph showing the frequency of attitude ratings (1-10) towards global warming'), label both axes with scales and units, start the Y-axis at exactly zero, and ensure bars do not touch for discrete categorical data.
5medium影響する配点: 2Social psychology
Conflating the concepts of legitimacy of authority and agentic state when explaining obedience.
回避方法: Distinguish the two carefully: references to the agentic state are only creditworthy if they are explicitly linked to being in that state as a result of a direct order from a legitimate authority figure.
6medium影響する配点: 1Memory
Omitting the core procedural detail of Gabbert (2003) regarding different viewpoints.
回避方法: Explicitly state that participants in pairs watched the exact same crime clip but from different, unique perspectives (e.g., one could see a book title that the other could not) before starting post-event discussion.
7medium影響する配点: 3Research methods 1
Failing to show step-by-step calculations for descriptive statistics (mean, median, and mode) in Research Methods.
回避方法: Always present your step-by-step mathematical working clearly on the page. Even if the final numerical answer is correct, a lack of transparent calculations prevents full credit under the mark scheme.