9990 · Cambridge International A Level
9990/21
Research Methods
Psychology · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.5 / 5
120
180 min
Cognitive Approach & Experimental/Case Study Design Application
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
120
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21 sit at a solid Level 4 difficulty.
While they don't introduce radically new format changes, they test a level of granular detail in the core studies (particularly Dement & Kleitman and Hassett et al.) that caught many unprepared.
Paper 21 introduced some tricky scenario-based questions that required high-level translation of experimental terms into real-world applications.
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 and Application (AO2)
Weight: 3100%MethodologicAO3:
Weight: 267%Analysis and
Weight: 133%
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
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 66% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 53% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 46% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 39% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 32% 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
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
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: 2.1
Min per mark: 1.8
Min per mark: 1.3
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Andrade (doodling)
19 marks this session
Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)
16 marks this session
Pozzulo et al. (line-ups)
13 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
Organisational work conditions
Consumer decision-making
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (Clinical Psychology)
Mood (affective) disorders: depressive disorder (unipolar) and bipolar disorder
Pain
Andrade (doodling)
The physical environment (Consumer Psychology)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11 Approaches, Issues and Debates:
Paper 21 Research Methods:
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
Andrade (doodling)
19 marks this session
Practise in RevuiDement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPozzulo et al. (line-ups)
13 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2024 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21 sit at a solid Level 4 difficulty.
- 2Message
While they don't introduce radically new format changes, they test a level of granular detail in the core studies (particularly Dement & Kleitman and Hassett et al.) that caught many unprepared.
- 3Message
Paper 21 introduced some tricky scenario-based questions that required high-level translation of experimental terms into real-world applications.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Psychology
The May/June 2024 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21 sit at a solid Level 4 difficulty. While they don't introduce radically new format changes, they test a level of granular detail in the core studies (particularly Dement & Kleitman and Hassett et al.) that caught many unprepare
The May/June 2024 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21 sit at a solid Level 4 difficulty.
While they don't introduce radically new format changes, they test a level of granular detail in the core studies (particularly Dement & Kleitman and Hassett et al.) that caught many unprepared.
Paper 21 introduced some tricky scenario-based questions that required high-level translation of experimental terms into real-world applications.
- Total marks
- 120
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21 sit at a solid Level 4 difficulty. While they don't introduce radically new format changes, they test a level of granular detail in the core studies (particularly Dement & Kleitman and Hassett et al.) that caught many unprepared. Paper 21 introduced some tricky scenario-based questions that required high-level translation of experimental terms into real-world applications.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 Approaches, Issues and Debates:
Paper 21 Research Methods:
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.
78% 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
(Knowledge & Outline)
42·18·35%
Long Essay / Plan & Design Study
34·3·28%
Data Analysis & Scenario Translation
26·6·22%
Structured Evaluation
(Core Studies)
18·2·15%
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 11 Section A
0.76 m/minPaper 11 Section B
0.55 m/minPaper 21 Section B
0.47 m/minTotal marks
74
Total time
120 min
Avg pace
0.62
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia)
88%88%
Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans)
82%82%
Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test)
78%78%
Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2024 Psychology (9990) Papers 11 and 21 sit at a solid Level 4 difficulty. While they don't introduce radically new format changes, they test a level of granular detail in the core studies (particularly Dement & Kleitman and Hassett et al.) that caught many unprepared. Paper 21 introduced some tricky scenario-based questions that required high-level translation of experimental terms into real-world applications.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 25%
- Question types
- Methodological short answers, Planning and Evaluation essay
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.