PSYCHOLOGY-YPS01 · Pearson Edexcel International A Level
PSYCHOLOGY-YPS01/21
Paper 2
Psychology · Winter 2026 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
320
420 min
Learning Theories, Developmental Psychology, and Clinical Therapy Applications
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
320
Duration
420 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
Across the papers, high-tariff questions are where grade boundaries are ultimately decided.
In Unit 1 (Social & Cognitive) and Unit 2 (Biological & Learning), essay questions such as the 12-mark evaluation of the Multi-Store Model (MSM) applied to Ashvi, and the 16-mark evaluation of brain functioning versus Social Learning Theory (SLT) for Antoni, required a delicate equilibrium of AO1 (conceptual knowledge), AO2 (scenario application), and AO3 (methodological/theoretical evaluation).
Many candidates lost valuable marks here by treating the scenarios as brief introductions, subsequently drifting into purely generic textbook evaluation.
To hit Level 4, every evaluative paragraph must be anchored back to the scenario's context.
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: 5100%Practical
Weight: 480%ApAO3:
Weight: 360%Analysis and
Weight: 240%Mathematical & Calculation
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. 90% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 80% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 70% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 50% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 40% 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.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Break into parts and explain how each contributes to the whole question focus.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.4
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Topic D: Learning theories and development (Biological psychology, learning theories and development)
54 marks this session
Topic H: Clinical psychology (Clinical psychology and psychological skills)
48 marks this session
Topic I: Psychological skills (Clinical psychology and psychological skills)
48 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
Topic D: Learning theories and development
Topic H: Clinical psychology
Topic I: Psychological skills
Topic D: Learning theories and development (Biological psychology, learning theories and development)
Topic H: Clinical psychology (Clinical psychology and psychological skills)
Topic I: Psychological skills (Clinical psychology and psychological skills)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
WPS01/01 Unit 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology: WPS02/01 Unit 2: Biological Psychology, Learning Theories and Development: WPS03/01 Unit 3: Applications of Psychology: WPS04/01 Unit 4: Clinical Psychology and Psychological Skills:
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
Topic D: Learning theories and development (Biological psychology, learning theories and development)
54 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTopic H: Clinical psychology (Clinical psychology and psychological skills)
48 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTopic I: Psychological skills (Clinical psychology and psychological skills)
48 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
Across the papers, high-tariff questions are where grade boundaries are ultimately decided.
- 2Message
In Unit 1 (Social & Cognitive) and Unit 2 (Biological & Learning), essay questions such as the 12-mark evaluation of the Multi-Store Model (MSM) applied to Ashvi, and the 16-mark evaluation of brain functioning versus Social Learning Theory (SLT) for Antoni, required a delicate equilibrium of AO1 (conceptual knowledge), AO2 (scenario application), and AO3 (methodological/theoretical evaluation).
- 3Message
Many candidates lost valuable marks here by treating the scenarios as brief introductions, subsequently drifting into purely generic textbook evaluation.
- 4Message
To hit Level 4, every evaluative paragraph must be anchored back to the scenario's context.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
Winter 2026 2026
Psychology
Across the papers, high-tariff questions are where grade boundaries are ultimately decided. In Unit 1 (Social & Cognitive) and Unit 2 (Biological & Learning), essay questions such as the 12-mark evaluation of the Multi-Store Model (MSM) applied to Ashvi, and the 16-mark evaluatio
Across the papers, high-tariff questions are where grade boundaries are ultimately decided.
In Unit 1 (Social & Cognitive) and Unit 2 (Biological & Learning), essay questions such as the 12-mark evaluation of the Multi-Store Model (MSM) applied to Ashvi, and the 16-mark evaluation of brain functioning versus Social Learning Theory (SLT) for Antoni, required a delicate equilibrium of AO1 (conceptual knowledge), AO2 (scenario application), and AO3 (methodological/theoretical evaluation).
Many candidates lost valuable marks here by treating the scenarios as brief introductions, subsequently drifting into purely generic textbook evaluation.
- Total marks
- 320
- Duration
- 420 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
Across the papers, high-tariff questions are where grade boundaries are ultimately decided. In Unit 1 (Social & Cognitive) and Unit 2 (Biological & Learning), essay questions such as the 12-mark evaluation of the Multi-Store Model (MSM) applied to Ashvi, and the 16-mark evaluation of brain functioning versus Social Learning Theory (SLT) for Antoni, required a delicate equilibrium of AO1 (conceptual knowledge), AO2 (scenario application), and AO3 (methodological/theoretical evaluation). Many candidates lost valuable marks here by treating the scenarios as brief introductions, subsequently drifting into purely generic textbook evaluation. To hit Level 4, every evaluative paragraph must be anchored back to the scenario's context.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
WPS01/01 Unit 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology: WPS02/01 Unit 2: Biological Psychology, Learning Theories and Development: WPS03/01 Unit 3: Applications of Psychology: WPS04/01 Unit 4: Clinical Psychology and Psychological Skills:
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.
56% 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
(AO1/AO2)
110·32·34%
High Tariff Essays
(8-20 marks)
100·11·31%
Medium Tariff Application/Evaluation
(4-6 marks)
68·15·21%
Data Analysis & Math Calculations
42·12·13%
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.
Unit 1: Social and
0.71 m/minUnit 3: Application
0.71 m/minTotal marks
128
Total time
180 min
Avg pace
0.71
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.
Watson and Rayner (1920) Little Albert classic study
90%90%
Milgram's Agency Theory vs Social Power Theory
85%85%
Unipolar Depression and Cognitive Explanations
80%80%
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.