GCSE Psychology specification
GCSE Psychology introduces the scientific study of mind and behaviour, teaching students to describe key psychological theories and studies, apply them to everyday situations, and evaluate evidence using research-methods skills. It builds a foundation for A-level Psychology and develops critical, analytical and basic data-handling abilities.
Exam-only across all boards (no NEA or coursework). Assessment is two equally weighted written papers (50% each). Each paper mixes multiple-choice, short-answer and extended/essay responses, and every board threads research methods through the assessment alongside named theories and core studies plus their evaluation. AQA: two 1h45 papers (100 marks each). Edexcel: Paper 1 1h45 (98 marks, 55%) and Paper 2 1h20 (79 marks, 45%). OCR: two 1h30 papers (90 marks each), with research methods as Section D of each paper.
High-level topics
The main areas of content and what a student is expected to know and do.
Designing and evaluating psychological investigations: experiments, observations, self-report and correlation; sampling, variables, ethics, reliability and validity; and analysing/presenting data including basic descriptive statistics and graphs. Assessed throughout all boards (a dedicated section on OCR/Edexcel).
Models and processes of memory (e.g. multi-store and reconstructive memory), encoding, storage and retrieval, forgetting and the accuracy/reliability of memory, supported by core studies. Common to AQA, Edexcel and OCR.
How the brain and cognition develop, including theories of cognitive development and learning (e.g. Piaget), nature/nurture, and the role of early development. Compulsory on AQA and Edexcel; featured on OCR.
How sensory information is interpreted: theories of perception (direct vs constructivist), perceptual set, illusions and the factors affecting perception. Compulsory on AQA; an optional topic on Edexcel.
How the presence and behaviour of others changes individuals: conformity, obedience, deindividuation, bystander behaviour and pro-/anti-social behaviour, with classic studies and their evaluation. Common across boards.
The relationship between language and thought, human and animal communication, non-verbal communication, and explanations for differences. Compulsory on AQA; an optional topic on Edexcel.
Structure and function of the nervous system and brain, neurons and synaptic transmission, localisation of function and the effects of damage, plus methods of studying the brain. Compulsory on AQA and Edexcel.
Mental health and its prevalence, characteristics, explanations and treatments of conditions such as depression and addiction, and the impact of mental-health problems on individuals and society. Compulsory on AQA and Edexcel.
Explanations of criminal and anti-social behaviour (biological, social-learning and cognitive), measuring crime, and approaches to treating or reducing offending. An optional topic on Edexcel and a core area on OCR; not a discrete AQA topic.
Biological rhythms and the functions and stages of sleep, theories of dreaming, and disruption of sleep. An optional topic on Edexcel and featured on OCR; not part of the AQA spec.
Exam boards
The awarding bodies that offer this qualification, how their papers are structured, and what's distinctive about each - with links to the official specification.
AQA GCSE Psychology
Papers & assessment
2 written papers, 1h45 each, 100 marks each, 50% each. Paper 1 'Cognition and behaviour' (memory, perception, development, research methods); Paper 2 'Social context and behaviour' (social influence; language, thought and communication; brain and neuropsychology; psychological problems). Untiered, linear; no NEA. All topics compulsory.
What's distinctive
Most prescribed, content-fixed of the three: no optional topics - every student studies the same eight content areas. Research methods sits within Paper 1 (Cognition and behaviour) rather than as a separate section.
Past papers & mark schemes
Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Psychology
Papers & assessment
2 written papers, unequal. Paper 1 (1PS0/01) 1h45, 98 marks, 55% - five compulsory core topics: development, memory, psychological problems, the brain and neuropsychology, social influence. Paper 2 (1PS0/02) 1h20, 79 marks, 45% - students study TWO optional topics from criminal psychology, the self, perception, sleep and dreaming, and language/thought/communication, plus compulsory research methods. Untiered, linear; no NEA.
What's distinctive
The only board with optional topics and an asymmetric paper split (55/45). Students choose two of five options in Paper 2, so cohorts can differ. Topics are framed as student-facing questions (e.g. 'How does your memory work?').
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
OCR GCSE (9-1) Psychology
Papers & assessment
2 written papers, 1h30 each, 90 marks each, 50% each. J203/01 'Studies and applications in psychology 1' and J203/02 'Studies and applications in psychology 2'. Each paper has four sections (A, B, C, D), with Section D being research methods and a 13-mark synoptic extended-response question at the end of Section C. Untiered, linear; no NEA. First assessment 2019.
What's distinctive
Built explicitly around named 'core studies' paired with key theories, with research methods as a dedicated Section D in BOTH papers and a synoptic 13-mark essay rewarding links across topics. Content (e.g. criminal psychology, sleep and dreaming, memory, development) is split across the two 'studies and applications' papers rather than by a cognition/social divide.
Past papers & mark schemes
GCSE Psychology is currently offered by AQA (8182), Pearson Edexcel (1PS0) and OCR (J203); all are untiered, linear and exam-only with no NEA, and all weave research methods through the assessment alongside theories, core studies and evaluation. The main differences are choice and paper shape. AQA is fully prescribed - eight compulsory topics across two equal 1h45 / 100-mark papers - so there is no optionality. Edexcel is the only board with optional content: Paper 1 covers five compulsory core topics (55%) while in Paper 2 (45%) students pick two of five options (criminal psychology, the self, perception, sleep and dreaming, language/thought/communication) plus compulsory research methods, and its papers are unequal (98 vs 79 marks). OCR organises everything around named core studies and key theories, uses two equal 1h30 / 90-mark papers each with a discrete research-methods Section D and a synoptic 13-mark essay, and spreads topics such as criminal psychology and sleep and dreaming across its two 'studies and applications' papers. So a student/parent choosing a board is mainly choosing between AQA's fixed breadth, Edexcel's topic choice and uneven papers, and OCR's studies-led, synoptic style.
Original sources
Straight from the awarding bodies - the specifications these summaries are drawn from.
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