PSYCHOLOGY-1PS0 · Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1)
PSYCHOLOGY-1PS0/21
Applications, Research Methods and Issues and Debates in Psychology (1PS0/02)
Psychology · 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.2 / 5
177
185 min
Research methods
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
177
Duration
185 min
Session difficulty
3.2 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The June 2022 examination series is highly representative of the current GCSE (9-1) specification, presenting a fair but rigorous assessment.
Paper 1 (1PS0/01) tests the core theoretical foundations with moderate difficulty, while Paper 2 (1PS0/02) demands strong quantitative skills in Section A and deep evaluative capability across the optional sections.
The overall difficulty is graded at a 3 out of 5, with specific 9-mark and 12-mark essays acting as key differentiators for high-achieving students.
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 & UAO2
Weight: 3100%Application oAO3
Weight: 267%Analysis & Evaluation
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
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level 9
Approx. 61% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 55% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 48% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 42% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 35% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 29% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 21% of maximum mark
Level 2
Approx. 13% 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 “Assess” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
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: 1.1
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
Research methods – How do you carry out psychological research?
37 marks this session
The brain and neuropsychology – How does your brain affect you?
25 marks this session
Social influence – How do others affect you?
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
Research methods – How do you carry out psychological research?
Social influence – How do others affect you?
Criminal psychology – Why do people become criminals?
Perception – How do you interpret the world around you?
Memory – How does your memory work?
The brain and neuropsychology – How does your brain affect you?
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: 1PS0/02
Paper 2:
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
Research methods – How do you carry out psychological research?
37 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThe brain and neuropsychology – How does your brain affect you?
25 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSocial influence – How do others affect you?
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 June 2022 examination series is highly representative of the current GCSE (9-1) specification, presenting a fair but rigorous assessment.
- 2Message
Paper 1 (1PS0/01) tests the core theoretical foundations with moderate difficulty, while Paper 2 (1PS0/02) demands strong quantitative skills in Section A and deep evaluative capability across the optional sections.
- 3Message
The overall difficulty is graded at a 3 out of 5, with specific 9-mark and 12-mark essays acting as key differentiators for high-achieving students.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2022 2022
Psychology
The June 2022 examination series is highly representative of the current GCSE (9-1) specification, presenting a fair but rigorous assessment. Paper 1 (1PS0/01) tests the core theoretical foundations with moderate difficulty, while Paper 2 (1PS0/02) demands strong quantitative ski
The June 2022 examination series is highly representative of the current GCSE (9-1) specification, presenting a fair but rigorous assessment.
Paper 1 (1PS0/01) tests the core theoretical foundations with moderate difficulty, while Paper 2 (1PS0/02) demands strong quantitative skills in Section A and deep evaluative capability across the optional sections.
The overall difficulty is graded at a 3 out of 5, with specific 9-mark and 12-mark essays acting as key differentiators for high-achieving students.
- Total marks
- 177
- Duration
- 185 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.2 / 5
Session analysis
The June 2022 examination series is highly representative of the current GCSE (9-1) specification, presenting a fair but rigorous assessment. Paper 1 (1PS0/01) tests the core theoretical foundations with moderate difficulty, while Paper 2 (1PS0/02) demands strong quantitative skills in Section A and deep evaluative capability across the optional sections. The overall difficulty is graded at a 3 out of 5, with specific 9-mark and 12-mark essays acting as key differentiators for high-achieving students.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: 1PS0/02
Paper 2:
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.
Short Answer
120·45·68%
9-Mark Essay
36·4·20%
12-Mark Essay
12·1·7%
Multiple Choice
9·9·5%
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.
P1 Sections A-E (Co
0.94 m/minP1 Section F (9-Mar
0.90 m/minP2 Section A (Resea
0.93 m/minP2 Options (Percept
0.95 m/minTotal marks
175
Total time
187 min
Avg pace
0.94
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.
Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development vs Vygotsky
85%85%
Milgram's Agency Theory and Obedience Factors
80%80%
Reconstructive Memory (Bartlett's Schema Theory)
75%75%
Difficulty Verdict: Balanced but Discriminating
The June 2022 examination series is highly representative of the current GCSE (9-1) specification, presenting a fair but rigorous assessment. Paper 1 (1PS0/01) tests the core theoretical foundations with moderate difficulty, while Paper 2 (1PS0/02) demands strong quantitative skills in Section A and deep evaluative capability across the optional sections. The overall difficulty is graded at a 3 out of 5, with specific 9-mark and 12-mark essays acting as key differentiators for high-achieving students.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Generic Evaluations: Avoid using boilerplate statements like 'this study has high ecological validity' without contextualizing how the laboratory setting or natural environment directly affected the specific behaviors measured.
- Incomplete Definitions: For 2-mark definition questions (such as defining 'morality'), always provide both a clear conceptual definition and a distinct, relevant example as requested.
- Mathematical Mistakes: Many candidates lose straightforward marks on Paper 2 calculations due to failing to simplify ratios (e.g., leaving a ratio as 5:15 instead of simplifying to 1:3 1:3 1:3) or incorrect rounding.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 20min
- Total marks
- 79
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.