7181 · AQA AS Level
7181/21
Paper 2
Psychology New · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.2 / 5
144
180 min
Research Methods and Application
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
144
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The 2024 AS Psychology papers were extremely fair, offering a mixture of highly predictable core essay topics and accessible short-answer questions.
Paper 1 focused heavily on foundational models, while Paper 2 integrated Research Methods with standard context topics.
Students who mastered core definitions and structured their evaluation essays carefully would have found these papers highly manageable.
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
Weight: 4100%Recall
Weight: 375%Application (AO2)
Weight: 250%Evaluation & Analysis
Weight: 125%
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. 68% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 53% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 45% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 38% 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.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Social influence
24 marks this session
Memory
24 marks this session
Attachment
24 marks this session
Approaches in Psychology
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
Memory
Attachment
Approaches in Psychology
Social influence
Research Methods
Clinical Psychology and Mental Health (Psychopathology)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology:
Paper 2: Psychology in Context:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- Failing to name or explain a concrete alternative sampling method (e.g., opportunity or stratified) when criticizing volunteer sampling.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Social influence
24 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMemory
24 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAttachment
24 marks this session
Practise in RevuiApproaches in Psychology
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 2024 AS Psychology papers were extremely fair, offering a mixture of highly predictable core essay topics and accessible short-answer questions.
- 2Message
Paper 1 focused heavily on foundational models, while Paper 2 integrated Research Methods with standard context topics.
- 3Message
Students who mastered core definitions and structured their evaluation essays carefully would have found these papers highly manageable.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Psychology New
The 2024 AS Psychology papers were extremely fair, offering a mixture of highly predictable core essay topics and accessible short-answer questions. Paper 1 focused heavily on foundational models, while Paper 2 integrated Research Methods with standard context topics. Students wh
The 2024 AS Psychology papers were extremely fair, offering a mixture of highly predictable core essay topics and accessible short-answer questions.
Paper 1 focused heavily on foundational models, while Paper 2 integrated Research Methods with standard context topics.
Students who mastered core definitions and structured their evaluation essays carefully would have found these papers highly manageable.
- Total marks
- 144
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.2 / 5
Session analysis
The 2024 AS Psychology papers were extremely fair, offering a mixture of highly predictable core essay topics and accessible short-answer questions. Paper 1 focused heavily on foundational models, while Paper 2 integrated Research Methods with standard context topics. Students who mastered core definitions and structured their evaluation essays carefully would have found these papers highly manageable.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology:
Paper 2: Psychology in Context:
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.
63% 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 / Concept Recall
55·21·38%
Extended Writing / Essays
48·4·33%
Application / Scenario-based
36·12·25%
Multiple Choice / Objective
5·3·3%
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/minTotal marks
5
Total time
10 min
Avg pace
0.50
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Bowlby's Monotropic Theory of Attachment
90%90%
Milgram's Obedience & Situational Variables
85%85%
Cognitive Interview / Long-Term Memory Types
80%80%
Cognitive & Behaviourist Approaches Comparison
75%75%
Overall Exam Difficulty Verdict
The 2024 AS Psychology papers were extremely fair, offering a mixture of highly predictable core essay topics and accessible short-answer questions. Paper 1 focused heavily on foundational models, while Paper 2 integrated Research Methods with standard context topics. Students who mastered core definitions and structured their evaluation essays carefully would have found these papers highly manageable.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.