General exam tech
,Exam technique - Psychology
- New improved 16m structure = ao1 chunks + ao3 x4 (2 strengths + 2 limitations)
- Analysis - how does my evidence prove my point??
- Lovely thoughtful linking sentence
- ANSWER THE EXACT QUESTION, KNOW THE AO_ + MARKS
- Explicit stem links
- State + explain + link
- Remember for 16m = ao1 = 6 + ao3 = 10 (shorter x4, concise & focused on the
question - DON’T GO ON A TANGENT)
- Tailor ao3 to the exact question, don’t hallucinate the essay question
- Ao2 = need key terms, not overly descriptive, use the stem effectively
- Don’t be afraid to cross over topics (can be more effective to tailor to the demands of
the question)
- Discuss research into ___ vs discuss topic = more methodological ao3 vs a mix
- Issues & debates with ao3 - think about the essay plans to enrich para / quality
- Ao3 is NOT a description, you are asking WHY and EVALUATING based on the
niche question given
Exam tips
- FOCUS your essay on the QUESTION = best answers
- Properly READ + ANALYSE the question’s demands = max chances of marks
- Keep on topic (agg / attachment / etc) = keep focus
- Stop + think before you link
- Properly evaluate the question
- Be passionate + confident with ao3 like in History
- AO3 = 10 marks = very important + link to question
- Note down the AO_ & check how many marks are available
- Count / estimate the mark ratio - guidance to the number of points / depth
AO1
- Outline / Define / Identify / State / Describe / Outline the procedure
AO2
- Application
- Refer to stem, specific key terms & principles BUT don’t explain or ao1 it
- Explain / Apply / Using your knowledge of / How would you… relating to STEM?
- Using your knowledge of x, explain… / How would… relate to (stem)?
- In what ways might the x approach explain.. (stem)
- Explain how a cognitive behaviour therapist might treat.. Symptoms
AO3
- Evaluate (ao1 + ao3) / Discuss (Ao1 + ao3)… / Compare / TWE / Assess
- Outline 1 limitation / 1 strength (state it - explain it - eg, ssris - side effects, like x)
- Briefly outline 2 criticisms
- Outline… Compare with x. (16m)
- Briefly outline & evaluate one study in relation to.. (4)
- JUSTIFY = AO3
MARKING POINTS
Ao1
- Clear description vs limited / muddled
- Coherent
- Clear elaborate description of…
- Accurate detail
- Answer is generally coherent with effective use of appropriate terminology
Ao2
- How… effective application
Ao3 - 16 markers
, - Knowledge is accurate & generally well detailed
- Effective evaluation
- Specialist terminology is used effectively
- Answer is clear & coherent
STRUCTURES
https://mrkpsychology.co.uk/how-to-structure-a-level-psychology-exam-questions/
VALIDATING
‘Outline study’ (4 - 6 marks)
- ‘To achieve full marks students must address aim, method, sample, findings + conclusions
‘Evaluate’ (5 marks)
- 2 developed points
- Identify + explain + link = 2 sentences per point ish
Explain X using two or more examples… / one or more
- Do the minimum WELL & thoroughly
- Don’t risk 2 weak examples & loosing marks
Compare x with x
- Ao1 for one of them + WHERE AS + ao1 for the other
Compare ___approach with the _____ approach (8)
Ao1 = 3 / Ao3 = 5
- Ao1 of ONE
- Ao3 - compare on DM RNA (x2)
Discuss ____. Refer to at least one topic you have studied in your answer (8)
- Ao1 = 3 / Ao2 = 2 / Ao3 = 3
- Ao2 = ‘refer to at least one topic’
- Ao2 = don’t be ‘wishy washy’, stick with one example & do it well
Discuss (___) in psychological research, refer to 1 topic you have studied in your answer (8)
- Ao1 - 3 (definition, principle)
- Ao2 - 2 (apply to Freud / Milgram - research)
- Ao3 - 3 (1x PEEL - use an ao3)
Discuss _____ IN RESEARCH STUDIES
- Whatever topic it is, tailor your ao1 to include research
- May mean doing some switcheroos (eg - aggression, using ao3 as ao1 and using other
biological / social psych theories as ao3)
Evaluation framework for the economy
PP HEAV
- Physical health (motive to exercise & reduced NHS costs?)
- Productivity (maximising employee output/work?
- Human resources (using psych to gain & retain employees?)
- Relationships (relationship counselling & divorce costs?)
- Education techniques (faster learning?)
- Advertising (convincing people to buy/use products?)
- View of other areas (social benefits, improving the quality of life - drug treatments, along with
working)
16 MARKERS
- Use 2 coloured highlighters; command word / topic
,Exam technique - Psychology
- New improved 16m structure = ao1 chunks + ao3 x4 (2 strengths + 2 limitations)
- Analysis - how does my evidence prove my point??
- Lovely thoughtful linking sentence
- ANSWER THE EXACT QUESTION, KNOW THE AO_ + MARKS
- Explicit stem links
- State + explain + link
- Remember for 16m = ao1 = 6 + ao3 = 10 (shorter x4, concise & focused on the
question - DON’T GO ON A TANGENT)
- Tailor ao3 to the exact question, don’t hallucinate the essay question
- Ao2 = need key terms, not overly descriptive, use the stem effectively
- Don’t be afraid to cross over topics (can be more effective to tailor to the demands of
the question)
- Discuss research into ___ vs discuss topic = more methodological ao3 vs a mix
- Issues & debates with ao3 - think about the essay plans to enrich para / quality
- Ao3 is NOT a description, you are asking WHY and EVALUATING based on the
niche question given
Exam tips
- FOCUS your essay on the QUESTION = best answers
- Properly READ + ANALYSE the question’s demands = max chances of marks
- Keep on topic (agg / attachment / etc) = keep focus
- Stop + think before you link
- Properly evaluate the question
- Be passionate + confident with ao3 like in History
- AO3 = 10 marks = very important + link to question
- Note down the AO_ & check how many marks are available
- Count / estimate the mark ratio - guidance to the number of points / depth
AO1
- Outline / Define / Identify / State / Describe / Outline the procedure
AO2
- Application
- Refer to stem, specific key terms & principles BUT don’t explain or ao1 it
- Explain / Apply / Using your knowledge of / How would you… relating to STEM?
- Using your knowledge of x, explain… / How would… relate to (stem)?
- In what ways might the x approach explain.. (stem)
- Explain how a cognitive behaviour therapist might treat.. Symptoms
AO3
- Evaluate (ao1 + ao3) / Discuss (Ao1 + ao3)… / Compare / TWE / Assess
- Outline 1 limitation / 1 strength (state it - explain it - eg, ssris - side effects, like x)
- Briefly outline 2 criticisms
- Outline… Compare with x. (16m)
- Briefly outline & evaluate one study in relation to.. (4)
- JUSTIFY = AO3
MARKING POINTS
Ao1
- Clear description vs limited / muddled
- Coherent
- Clear elaborate description of…
- Accurate detail
- Answer is generally coherent with effective use of appropriate terminology
Ao2
- How… effective application
Ao3 - 16 markers
, - Knowledge is accurate & generally well detailed
- Effective evaluation
- Specialist terminology is used effectively
- Answer is clear & coherent
STRUCTURES
https://mrkpsychology.co.uk/how-to-structure-a-level-psychology-exam-questions/
VALIDATING
‘Outline study’ (4 - 6 marks)
- ‘To achieve full marks students must address aim, method, sample, findings + conclusions
‘Evaluate’ (5 marks)
- 2 developed points
- Identify + explain + link = 2 sentences per point ish
Explain X using two or more examples… / one or more
- Do the minimum WELL & thoroughly
- Don’t risk 2 weak examples & loosing marks
Compare x with x
- Ao1 for one of them + WHERE AS + ao1 for the other
Compare ___approach with the _____ approach (8)
Ao1 = 3 / Ao3 = 5
- Ao1 of ONE
- Ao3 - compare on DM RNA (x2)
Discuss ____. Refer to at least one topic you have studied in your answer (8)
- Ao1 = 3 / Ao2 = 2 / Ao3 = 3
- Ao2 = ‘refer to at least one topic’
- Ao2 = don’t be ‘wishy washy’, stick with one example & do it well
Discuss (___) in psychological research, refer to 1 topic you have studied in your answer (8)
- Ao1 - 3 (definition, principle)
- Ao2 - 2 (apply to Freud / Milgram - research)
- Ao3 - 3 (1x PEEL - use an ao3)
Discuss _____ IN RESEARCH STUDIES
- Whatever topic it is, tailor your ao1 to include research
- May mean doing some switcheroos (eg - aggression, using ao3 as ao1 and using other
biological / social psych theories as ao3)
Evaluation framework for the economy
PP HEAV
- Physical health (motive to exercise & reduced NHS costs?)
- Productivity (maximising employee output/work?
- Human resources (using psych to gain & retain employees?)
- Relationships (relationship counselling & divorce costs?)
- Education techniques (faster learning?)
- Advertising (convincing people to buy/use products?)
- View of other areas (social benefits, improving the quality of life - drug treatments, along with
working)
16 MARKERS
- Use 2 coloured highlighters; command word / topic
