PSYCHOLOGY-H567 · Cambridge OCR A Level
PSYCHOLOGY-H567/11
Paper 1
Psychology - H567 · 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: OCR
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
300
360 min
Core Study Methodology and Applied Option Debates
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
300
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
In Research Methods, candidates frequently lose marks by neglecting to operationalise variables fully.
For example, in Q21, writing a non-directional hypothesis required both the independent variable (handshake length specified in seconds) and the dependent variable (friendliness rated on a scale) to be fully operationalised.
In Paper 2 Section B, high-tier marks were achieved by candidates who could move beyond descriptive summaries of core studies to construct a balanced debate around reductionism versus holism.
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 & Understanding
Weight: 5100%Application (AO2)
Weight: 360%Analysis & Evaluation
Weight: 240%Evaluation
Weight: 120%
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. 71% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 63% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 52% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 42% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 32% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 21% 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.
Identify similarities and differences explicitly — paired sentences or a table helps.
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: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Core studies
35 marks this session
Areas, perspectives and debates
35 marks this session
Practical applications
35 marks this session
Data recording, analysis and presentation
35 marks this session
Issues in mental health
35 marks this session
Child psychology
35 marks this session
Criminal psychology
35 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
Data recording, analysis and presentation
Core studies
Areas, perspectives and debates
Issues in mental health
Core studies (Psychological themes through core studies)
Areas, perspectives and debates (Psychological themes through core studies)
Practical applications (Psychological themes through core studies)
Issues in mental health (Applied psychology)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
H567/01 Research methods: H567/02 Psychological themes through core studies: H567/03 Applied psychology:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- Failing to state both variables in a two-tailed alternative hypothesis.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Core studies
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAreas, perspectives and debates
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiPractical applications
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiData recording, analysis and presentation
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiIssues in mental health
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiChild psychology
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCriminal psychology
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
In Research Methods, candidates frequently lose marks by neglecting to operationalise variables fully.
- 2Message
For example, in Q21, writing a non-directional hypothesis required both the independent variable (handshake length specified in seconds) and the dependent variable (friendliness rated on a scale) to be fully operationalised.
- 3Message
In Paper 2 Section B, high-tier marks were achieved by candidates who could move beyond descriptive summaries of core studies to construct a balanced debate around reductionism versus holism.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2022 2022
Psychology - H567
In Research Methods, candidates frequently lose marks by neglecting to operationalise variables fully. For example, in Q21, writing a non-directional hypothesis required both the independent variable (handshake length specified in seconds) and the dependent variable (friendliness
In Research Methods, candidates frequently lose marks by neglecting to operationalise variables fully.
For example, in Q21, writing a non-directional hypothesis required both the independent variable (handshake length specified in seconds) and the dependent variable (friendliness rated on a scale) to be fully operationalised.
In Paper 2 Section B, high-tier marks were achieved by candidates who could move beyond descriptive summaries of core studies to construct a balanced debate around reductionism versus holism.
- Total marks
- 300
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
In Research Methods, candidates frequently lose marks by neglecting to operationalise variables fully. For example, in Q21, writing a non-directional hypothesis required both the independent variable (handshake length specified in seconds) and the dependent variable (friendliness rated on a scale) to be fully operationalised. In Paper 2 Section B, high-tier marks were achieved by candidates who could move beyond descriptive summaries of core studies to construct a balanced debate around reductionism versus holism.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
H567/01 Research methods: H567/02 Psychological themes through core studies: H567/03 Applied 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.
73% 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.
Structured / Applied Scenario
108·15·36%
Essay / Extended Writing
90·6·30%
Short Answer
82·28·27%
Multiple Choice
20·20·7%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A (…
0.70 m/minPaper 1 Section B (…
0.70 m/minPaper 1 Section C (…
0.88 m/minPaper 2 Section A (…
0.88 m/minPaper 2 Section B (…
0.88 m/minPaper 2 Section C (…
0.88 m/minPaper 3 Section A (…
0.88 m/minTotal marks
280
Total time
340 min
Avg pace
0.82
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Cognitive Psychology and Attention
85%85%
Applied Options: Environmental Psychology
75%75%
Examiner notes & key calculations
- The Likert Scale Misnomer: Many candidates erroneously label a standard 1–10 numerical rating scale as a 'Likert scale'. Doing so in design questions caps the overall mark because it reflects a structural misunderstanding of psychometric scaling.
- Generic Strengths & Weaknesses: When evaluating self-report or naturalistic observation methods, generic answers that are not explicitly linked to the context of the study (such as the high street observation or memory survey) fail to score above the lowest bands.
- Formula Workings omission: In Section C of Paper 1, even if the final calculation is correct, marks are systematically deducted if intermediate workings for expected frequencies E=Row Total×Column TotalGrand Total E = \frac{\text{Row Total} \times \text{Column Total}}{\text{Grand Total}} E=Grand TotalRow Total×Column Total are not shown.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.