PSYCHOLOGY-H167 · Cambridge OCR AS Level
PSYCHOLOGY-H167/11
Research methods
Psychology - H167 · 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: OCR
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.2 / 5
150
180 min
Data recording, analysis and presentation
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
150
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The 2023 OCR AS Level Psychology (H167) examinations present a balanced but highly demanding set of questions that evaluate both theoretical knowledge and practical execution.
With a difficulty index of 3.2 out of 5, the papers test candidates on their ability to move fluidly between abstract psychological debates and the concrete application of research methods.
The assessment comprises two papers: Paper 1 focuses on Research Methods, demanding high-level design skills and statistical accuracy, while Paper 2 explores Core Studies and psychological themes, requiring detailed recall and comparative evaluation.
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.
Recall of Chemical Principles
Weight: 5100%Application Tourism
Weight: 480%Analysis & C
Weight: 360%Experimental
Weight: 240%Evaluation & Analysis
Weight: 120%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
Method marks
Failing to show full intermediate working out in calculation questions, preventing the acquisition of method marks when final figures contain mathematical slips.
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
Match the expected response style for “What” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
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: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Data recording, analysis and presentation
33 marks this session
Core Studies
28 marks this session
Areas, perspectives and debates
25 marks this session
Key themes and areas of psychology
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
Data recording, analysis and presentation
Core Studies
Research methods and techniques
Areas, perspectives and debates
Key themes and areas of psychology
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Research methods:
Paper 2: Psychological themes through core studies:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
- Failing to show full intermediate working out in calculation questions, preventing the acquisition of method marks when final figures contain mathematical slips.
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Data recording, analysis and presentation
33 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCore Studies
28 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAreas, perspectives and debates
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiKey themes and areas of psychology
25 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 OCR AS Level Psychology (H167) examinations present a balanced but highly demanding set of questions that evaluate both theoretical knowledge and practical execution.
- 2Message
With a difficulty index of 3.2 out of 5, the papers test candidates on their ability to move fluidly between abstract psychological debates and the concrete application of research methods.
- 3Message
The assessment comprises two papers: Paper 1 focuses on Research Methods, demanding high-level design skills and statistical accuracy, while Paper 2 explores Core Studies and psychological themes, requiring detailed recall and comparative evaluation.
- 4Method
Failing to show full intermediate working out in calculation questions, preventing the acquisition of method marks when final figures contain mathematical slips
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
Psychology - H167
The 2023 OCR AS Level Psychology (H167) examinations present a balanced but highly demanding set of questions that evaluate both theoretical knowledge and practical execution. With a difficulty index of 3.2 out of 5, the papers test candidates on their ability to move fluidly bet
The 2023 OCR AS Level Psychology (H167) examinations present a balanced but highly demanding set of questions that evaluate both theoretical knowledge and practical execution.
With a difficulty index of 3.2 out of 5, the papers test candidates on their ability to move fluidly between abstract psychological debates and the concrete application of research methods.
The assessment comprises two papers: Paper 1 focuses on Research Methods, demanding high-level design skills and statistical accuracy, while Paper 2 explores Core Studies and psychological themes, requiring detailed recall and comparative evaluation.
- Total marks
- 150
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.2 / 5
Session analysis
The 2023 OCR AS Level Psychology (H167) examinations present a balanced but highly demanding set of questions that evaluate both theoretical knowledge and practical execution. With a difficulty index of 3.2 out of 5, the papers test candidates on their ability to move fluidly between abstract psychological debates and the concrete application of research methods. The assessment comprises two papers: Paper 1 focuses on Research Methods, demanding high-level design skills and statistical accuracy, while Paper 2 explores Core Studies and psychological themes, requiring detailed recall and comparative evaluation.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Research methods:
Paper 2: Psychological themes through core studies:
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.
77% 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.
Extended Response / Essay
57·4·38%
Short Answer
50·25·33%
Structured Questions
28·8·19%
Multiple Choice
15·15·10%
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 (
0.67 m/minPaper 1 Section C (
0.83 m/minPaper 2 Section A (
0.83 m/minPaper 2 Section B (
0.83 m/minPaper 2 Section C (
0.83 m/minTotal marks
110
Total time
135 min
Avg pace
0.81
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Research methods and techniques
90%90%
Practical activities
85%85%
How science works
80%80%
Exam Difficulty & Structure Analysis
The 2023 OCR AS Level Psychology (H167) examinations present a balanced but highly demanding set of questions that evaluate both theoretical knowledge and practical execution. With a difficulty index of 3.2 out of 5, the papers test candidates on their ability to move fluidly between abstract psychological debates and the concrete application of research methods. The assessment comprises two papers: Paper 1 focuses on Research Methods, demanding high-level design skills and statistical accuracy, while Paper 2 explores Core Studies and psychological themes, requiring detailed recall and comparative evaluation.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 75
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice, Short Answer, Design Essay, Short Answer / Calculation
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.