9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
Cambridge International AS & A Level
PSYCHOLOGY 9990/11
Paper 1 Approaches, issues and debates May/June 2025
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 60
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2025 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This document consists of 22 printed pages.
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 [Turn over
9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
,9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
9990/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2025
PUBLISHED
Generic Marking Principles
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 2 of 22
9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
, 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
9990/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2025
PUBLISHED
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 3 of 22
9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
Cambridge International AS & A Level
PSYCHOLOGY 9990/11
Paper 1 Approaches, issues and debates May/June 2025
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 60
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2025 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This document consists of 22 printed pages.
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 [Turn over
9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
,9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
9990/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2025
PUBLISHED
Generic Marking Principles
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 2 of 22
9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
, 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
9990/11 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2025
PUBLISHED
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2025 Page 3 of 22
9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf 9990_s25_ms_11.pdf
