PSYCHOLOGY-7182-CURRENT · AQA A Level
PSYCHOLOGY-7182-CURRENT/21
Paper 2
Psychology 7182 Current · June 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
288
360 min
Research Methods
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
288
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The 2023 series presents a robust test of a student's ability to apply theoretical concepts to novel scenarios (AO2).
While direct recall questions (AO1) provided an accessible baseline, the 16-mark essays and advanced Research Methods questions pushed the difficulty index up, demanding high levels of critical evaluation (AO3) and practical application.
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: 7100%Contextual Application
Weight: 571%Critical Evaluation
Weight: 343%Mathematical & Calculation
Weight: 114%
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. 76% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 67% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 55% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 43% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 31% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 19% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
Where the Marks Are
A significant portion of the marks resides in the Research Methods section (48 marks in Paper 2) and the 16-mark essays across all papers. In the essays, examiners rewarded structured, evidence-based evaluations. PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) paragraph structures that directly addressed the issues and debates within psychology consistently scored in the top bands.
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1
Min per mark: 1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Research Methods
48 marks this session
Social influence
24 marks this session
Memory
24 marks this session
Attachment
24 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
Research Methods
Social influence
Attachment
Memory
Psychopathology
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Introductory topics in psychology:
Paper 2: Psychology in context:
Paper 3: Issues and options in psychology:
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
Research Methods
48 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSocial influence
24 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMemory
24 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAttachment
24 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The 2023 series presents a robust test of a student's ability to apply theoretical concepts to novel scenarios (AO2).
- 2Message
While direct recall questions (AO1) provided an accessible baseline, the 16-mark essays and advanced Research Methods questions pushed the difficulty index up, demanding high levels of critical evaluation (AO3) and practical application.
- 3Strength
Where the Marks Are: A significant portion of the marks resides in the Research Methods section (48 marks in Paper 2) and
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2023 2023
Psychology 7182 Current
The 2023 series presents a robust test of a student's ability to apply theoretical concepts to novel scenarios (AO2). While direct recall questions (AO1) provided an accessible baseline, the 16-mark essays and advanced Research Methods questions pushed the difficulty index up, de
The 2023 series presents a robust test of a student's ability to apply theoretical concepts to novel scenarios (AO2).
While direct recall questions (AO1) provided an accessible baseline, the 16-mark essays and advanced Research Methods questions pushed the difficulty index up, demanding high levels of critical evaluation (AO3) and practical application.
- Total marks
- 288
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The 2023 series presents a robust test of a student's ability to apply theoretical concepts to novel scenarios (AO2). While direct recall questions (AO1) provided an accessible baseline, the 16-mark essays and advanced Research Methods questions pushed the difficulty index up, demanding high levels of critical evaluation (AO3) and practical application.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Introductory topics in psychology:
Paper 2: Psychology in context:
Paper 3: Issues and options in psychology:
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.
Essay
(8-16 Marks)
136·10·47%
Short Answer
98·28·34%
Applied Scenario
48·10·17%
Multiple Choice
6·4·2%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A (
0.50 m/minPaper 1 Section B (
1.00 m/minPaper 1 Section C (
1.00 m/minPaper 1 Section D (
1.00 m/minPaper 2 Section A (
1.00 m/minPaper 2 Section B (
0.80 m/minPaper 2 Section C (
0.80 m/minPaper 3 Section A (
1.00 m/minPaper 3 Option B (R
1.00 m/minPaper 3 Option C (S
1.00 m/minPaper 3 Option D (F
0.80 m/minTotal marks
250
Total time
278 min
Avg pace
0.90
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
85%85%
Bowlby's Monotropic Theory
80%80%
Localization of Brain Function
75%75%
Difficulty Verdict
The 2023 series presents a robust test of a student's ability to apply theoretical concepts to novel scenarios (AO2). While direct recall questions (AO1) provided an accessible baseline, the 16-mark essays and advanced Research Methods questions pushed the difficulty index up, demanding high levels of critical evaluation (AO3) and practical application.
Where the Marks Are
A significant portion of the marks resides in the Research Methods section (48 marks in Paper 2) and the 16-mark essays across all papers. In the essays, examiners rewarded structured, evidence-based evaluations. PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) paragraph structures that directly addressed the issues and debates within psychology consistently scored in the top bands.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.