Mark Scheme
(Results)
Summer 2026
Pearson Edexcel GCSE In Psychology
1PS0/02
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest
awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications including
academic, vocational, occupational and specific programmes for
employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites at
www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get in touch
with us using the details on our contact us page at
www.edexcel.com/contactus
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of
people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years,
and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international reputation
for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation in
education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at:
www.pearson.com/uk
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79210A
Publication Code 1PS0_02_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd
, General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first
candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be used
appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the
mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the
candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by
which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to
a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with
an alternative response.
, Section A
Research methods – How do you carry out psychological research?
Question Answer Mark
Number
A – Volunteer sampling.
1(a) (1)
The only correct answer is A.
B is incorrect as the sampling method is volunteer sampling.
C is incorrect as the sampling method is volunteer sampling.
D is incorrect as the sampling method is volunteer sampling.
Question Answer Mark
Number
Two marks for a full alternative hypothesis.
1(b) (2)
One mark for a partial alternative hypothesis.
For example:
• There will be a significant difference in reaction time between
participants tested in a quiet room and participants tested in a
room with loud music (2).
• Participants tested in a quiet room will have a quicker reaction
time than participants tested in a room will loud music (2)
• Participants will have a quicker reaction time in the quiet room (1)
Accept any appropriate response.
Question Answer Mark
Number
One mark for calculation of participants whose reaction time was
1(c) (2)
under 1.2 seconds in the silent room.
One mark for calculation of percentage.
• Number of participants under 1.2 seconds = 9.
• (9/12)*100 = 75%
Accept any other appropriate response.
(Results)
Summer 2026
Pearson Edexcel GCSE In Psychology
1PS0/02
,Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications
Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest
awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications including
academic, vocational, occupational and specific programmes for
employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites at
www.edexcel.com or www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively, you can get in touch
with us using the details on our contact us page at
www.edexcel.com/contactus
Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere
Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone
progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of
people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years,
and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international reputation
for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation in
education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at:
www.pearson.com/uk
Summer 2026
Question Paper Log Number P79210A
Publication Code 1PS0_02_2606_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd
, General Marking Guidance
• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first
candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded
for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their
perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be used
appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners
should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the
mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the
candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by
which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to
a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with
an alternative response.
, Section A
Research methods – How do you carry out psychological research?
Question Answer Mark
Number
A – Volunteer sampling.
1(a) (1)
The only correct answer is A.
B is incorrect as the sampling method is volunteer sampling.
C is incorrect as the sampling method is volunteer sampling.
D is incorrect as the sampling method is volunteer sampling.
Question Answer Mark
Number
Two marks for a full alternative hypothesis.
1(b) (2)
One mark for a partial alternative hypothesis.
For example:
• There will be a significant difference in reaction time between
participants tested in a quiet room and participants tested in a
room with loud music (2).
• Participants tested in a quiet room will have a quicker reaction
time than participants tested in a room will loud music (2)
• Participants will have a quicker reaction time in the quiet room (1)
Accept any appropriate response.
Question Answer Mark
Number
One mark for calculation of participants whose reaction time was
1(c) (2)
under 1.2 seconds in the silent room.
One mark for calculation of percentage.
• Number of participants under 1.2 seconds = 9.
• (9/12)*100 = 75%
Accept any other appropriate response.
