Master the critical distinctions between results and conclusions, learn to avoid the Paper 1 evaluation 'named issue' cap, and construct high-scoring, context-driven research designs for Paper 2 9990 Psychology exams.
阅读时间 5 分钟更新于: 2026年6月21日
试卷概览
卷数
2
总分
120
考试时间
3小时
题型
3
试卷
时间
分数
题数
比重
题型
Paper 1 Approaches, Issues and Debates
1小时 30分钟
60
10
50%
Structured Short Answer, Comparison Essay, Evaluation Essay
Paper 2 Research Methods
1小时 30分钟
60
10
50%
Methodology & Short Answer, Scenario-Based Short Answer & Table Design, Case Study/Field Experiment Planning Essay, Methodological Evaluation
评级
ABCDEU
计算器规定
A silent scientific calculator is required where the syllabus permits one. It must NOT be graphical, programmable, or capable of symbolic algebra (CAS), and it must contain no stored programs or notes.
AO1: Knowledge and understanding (40%)
AO2: Application of knowledge and understanding (30%)
AO3: Analysis and evaluation (30%)
根据历届试题与评分标准整理（2023–2025）。
计算器程序
Table mode for roots & turning points
Scientific calculator (e.g. Casio fx-991 series)
用途: Tabulate \(y\) across a range of \(x\) to locate sign changes (roots) and approximate maxima/minima.
使用时机: Solving or sketching a function when you want to find where its graph crosses or turns.
步骤
Enter the function in TABLE mode, set the start, end and step, then read where the sign of \(y\) changes or where it peaks.
考试提示: Allowed, but the calculator must be silent, non-graphical, non-programmable and free of stored content; always show the working the mark scheme requires.
Statistics mode (mean, SD & regression)
Scientific calculator (e.g. Casio fx-991 series)
用途: Read the mean \(\bar{x}\) and standard deviation directly, and the gradient/intercept (and \(r\)) of a linear regression for bivariate data.
使用时机: Any data-handling, statistics, or required-practical analysis question.
步骤
Enter the data in STAT mode (1-VAR or A+BX), then recall \(\bar{x}\), \(\sigma\) or the regression coefficients.
考试提示: Allowed, but the calculator must be silent, non-graphical, non-programmable and free of stored content; always show the working the mark scheme requires.
Carry exact values with Ans & memory
Scientific calculator (e.g. Casio fx-991 series)
用途: Keep full-precision intermediate values to avoid rounding errors.
使用时机: Multi-step calculations where premature rounding loses the final accuracy mark.
步骤
Use Ans, STO/RCL or the M+ memory to reuse the unrounded result of each step; round only the final answer.
考试提示: Allowed, but the calculator must be silent, non-graphical, non-programmable and free of stored content; always show the working the mark scheme requires.
Equation solver — to CHECK your working
Scientific calculator (e.g. Casio fx-991 series)
用途: Use the built-in EQN/SOLVE mode to verify roots of quadratics or simultaneous equations you have already solved by algebra.
使用时机: As a check only, after solving by hand.
步骤
Enter the coefficients in EQN mode (or use SOLVE) and confirm they match your worked solution.
考试提示: Allowed, but the calculator must be silent, non-graphical, non-programmable and free of stored content; always show the working the mark scheme requires.
常见错误
1high涉及分数: 2Core Studies (General Principles)
Confusing a statistical result of a core study with its conceptual conclusion.
如何避免: Provide raw numerical data or factual findings when asked for a 'result' (e.g. 26 of 40 participants pressed 450V in Milgram), and provide a broad psychological explanation when asked for a 'conclusion' (e.g. individuals will obey an authority figure even to the point of harming another).
2high涉及分数: 4Evaluation Essays (Paper 1 Q10)
Omitting or minimally addressing the named issue in the Paper 1 10-mark evaluation essay.
如何避免: Write about the named issue (e.g., self-reports, ecological validity, quantitative data) first and expand both a strength and a weakness of this issue in depth before evaluating other aspects.
3high涉及分数: 2Research Methods (General Principles)
Providing circular or tautological definitions of psychological and methodological terms.
如何避免: Avoid using the word itself in its definition. For example, do not define 'opportunity sampling' as 'sampling when you have an opportunity'; instead, define it as 'selecting participants who are easily available and present at the specific time and location of the study.'
4medium涉及分数: 10Research Methods Design (Paper 2)
Designing an experimental design with IV/DV manipulation when a correlational study is requested in Paper 2.
如何避免: Ensure that for correlational designs you measure two continuous, quantitative variables (co-variables) without any active grouping or intervention, and state that the results will be plotted on a scatter graph.
5high涉及分数: 3Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia)
Writing completely generic methodological evaluations of core studies without anchoring them to the actual study context.
如何避免: Always link your evaluation to the specific features of the study. Do not just say 'it was a case study of one boy so it lacks generalisability'; specify that the boy's phobia in Saavedra and Silverman was caused by a highly unique traumatic event involving a bowl of buttons falling on him in a classroom, making his experience unrepresentative.
Drawing bar charts with separate, non-touching bars when graphing consecutive or continuous age groups/categories.
如何避免: When plotting consecutive continuous data categories (such as age ranges 20-29, 30-39, etc.), ensure the bars are touching on the x-axis, and fully label both axes with descriptive titles and scale units.