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PSYCHOLOGY-H167 · Cambridge OCR AS Level

PSYCHOLOGY-H167/21

Psychological themes through core studies

Psychology - H167 · 2022 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: OCR

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

150

Duration

180 min

Most tested topic

Research Design, Data Analysis, and Biological Core Studies

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

150

Duration

180 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The June 2022 series of the OCR AS Level Psychology course presented a well-balanced yet challenging combination of foundational knowledge, practical methodological skills, and synoptic applications.

2

Spanning Paper 1 (Research Methods) and Paper 2 (Psychological Themes through Core Studies), this assessment evaluated both the clinical-theoretical aspects of core research and the student's personal experience with empirical design.

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

Methodological9
Statistical Calculation8
Graphical6
Analysis5
Synoptic4
Debate &3
Knowledge Retrieval2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

MethodologicalMethodologicalStatistical CalculationStatisticalCalculationGraphicalGraphicalAnalysisAnalysisSynopticSynopticDebate &Debate &Knowledge RetrievalKnowledgeRetrieval
SkillWeightShare
  • Methodological

    Weight: 9100%
  • Statistical Calculation

    Weight: 889%
  • Graphical

    Weight: 667%
  • Analysis

    Weight: 556%
  • Synoptic

    Weight: 444%
  • Debate &

    Weight: 333%
  • Knowledge Retrieval

    Weight: 222%

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

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

OutlineFrequency: 13

Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.

ExplainFrequency: 8

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

DescribeFrequency: 5

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

DiscussFrequency: 1

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

IdentifyFrequency: 2

Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.

CalculateFrequency: 1

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1 Section A (…33m / 25 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Paper 1 Section B (…45m / 35 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Paper 1 Section C (…30m / 25 marks

Min per mark: 1.2

Paper 2 Section A (…30m / 25 marks

Min per mark: 1.2

Paper 2 Section B (…30m / 25 marks

Min per mark: 1.2

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Research methods and techniques

40 marks this session

Data recording, analysis and presentation

35 marks this session

Core Studies

25 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

LowHigh
Topic
2022
2023
2024
Σ

Data recording, analysis and presentation

35
33
30
98

Core Studies

25
28
28
81

Research methods and techniques

40
30
70

Areas, perspectives and debates

25
25

Key themes and areas of psychology

25
25

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202220232024
2022 2022 · 3.8/52023 2023 · 3.2/52024 2024 · 3.5/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

H167/01 Research methods: H167/02 Psychological themes through core studies:

75 marks90 min

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

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The June 2022 series of the OCR AS Level Psychology course presented a well-balanced yet challenging combination of foundational knowledge, practical methodological skills, and synoptic applications.

  • 2Message

    Spanning Paper 1 (Research Methods) and Paper 2 (Psychological Themes through Core Studies), this assessment evaluated both the clinical-theoretical aspects of core research and the student's personal experience with empirical design.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2022 2022

Psychology - H167

The June 2022 series of the OCR AS Level Psychology course presented a well-balanced yet challenging combination of foundational knowledge, practical methodological skills, and synoptic applications. Spanning Paper 1 (Research Methods) and Paper 2 (Psychological Themes through Co

  • The June 2022 series of the OCR AS Level Psychology course presented a well-balanced yet challenging combination of foundational knowledge, practical methodological skills, and synoptic applications.

  • Spanning Paper 1 (Research Methods) and Paper 2 (Psychological Themes through Core Studies), this assessment evaluated both the clinical-theoretical aspects of core research and the student's personal experience with empirical design.

Total marks
150
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

The June 2022 series of the OCR AS Level Psychology course presented a well-balanced yet challenging combination of foundational knowledge, practical methodological skills, and synoptic applications. Spanning Paper 1 (Research Methods) and Paper 2 (Psychological Themes through Core Studies), this assessment evaluated both the clinical-theoretical aspects of core research and the student's personal experience with empirical design.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

H167/01 Research methods: H167/02 Psychological themes through core studies:

75 marks90 min

Top chapters

Research methods and techniques40 marks
Data recording, analysis and presentation35 marks
Core Studies25 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Research methods and techniques40 marks
Data recording, analysis and pr35 marks
Core Studies25 marks
Areas, perspectives and debates25 marks
Key themes and areas of psychol25 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

69% within easy or medium reach

28
76
46
Easy: 28 marksMedium: 76 marksHard: 46 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Outline13 times
Explain8 times
Describe5 times
Discuss1 times
Identify2 times
Calculate1 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

150Marks
  • Short Answer

    61·21·41%

  • Extended Essay / Design

    40·4·27%

  • Mathematical & Graphical

    19·4·13%

  • Multiple Choice

    15·15·10%

  • Scenario-Based Analysis

    15·3·10%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Data Presentation …Core Study Procedu…Research Design an…Psychology as a Sc…

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Section A (…

0.76 m/min
25
33

Paper 1 Section B (…

0.78 m/min
35
45

Paper 1 Section C (…

0.83 m/min
25
30

Paper 2 Section A (…

0.83 m/min
25
30

Paper 2 Section B (…

0.83 m/min
25
30

Total marks

135

Total time

168 min

Avg pace

0.80

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Social Area / Cognitive Area in Core Studies Debate

85%

85%

Observations & Inter-rater Reliability

78%

78%

OCR AS Level Psychology (H167) 2022 Exam Analysis

The June 2022 series of the OCR AS Level Psychology course presented a well-balanced yet challenging combination of foundational knowledge, practical methodological skills, and synoptic applications. Spanning Paper 1 (Research Methods) and Paper 2 (Psychological Themes through Core Studies), this assessment evaluated both the clinical-theoretical aspects of core research and the student's personal experience with empirical design.

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 30min
Total marks
75
Weighting
50%
Question types
Short Answer, Short Answer / Essay, Applied Short Answer / Essay

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

PSYCHOLOGY-H167/21 — Cambridge OCR AS Level Psychology - H167 (2022) | Revui