How many papers are in AQA GCSE Psychology?

Two papers. Paper 1 (Cognition and Behaviour, 1h 45m, 100 marks) is 50%. Paper 2 (Social Context and Behaviour, 1h 45m, 100 marks) is 50%. Both sat at the end of Year 11.

What content is covered?

Paper 1: memory, perception, development, research methods. Paper 2: social influence, language/thought/communication, brain and neuropsychology, psychological problems (depression and addiction). Research methods can appear on any topic across both papers.

Do I need to learn named studies?

Yes. AQA specifies named studies for each topic (Asch, Milgram, Piaget, Beck, etc.). Learn method, findings and evaluation for each named study. Unnamed 'other studies' can be referenced from your reading; named studies are essential.

How much research methods is tested?

Research methods is Paper 1 Topic 4 (~15-20 marks explicit) but also appears throughout Paper 2 in study-based questions. Learn experimental design, sampling, ethics, correlation and data analysis thoroughly.

How does AQA differ from Edexcel?

AQA (8182) is 2 papers at 50/50; Edexcel (1PS0) is asymmetric, with Paper 1 worth 55% (98 marks) and Paper 2 worth 45% (79 marks). They share topics like memory, brain, social influence and research methods but differ on specific studies emphasised and on optional topics. Content depth is comparable. Your school picks.

Does Cognito cover AQA GCSE Psychology?

Cognito has past papers and mark schemes for AQA GCSE Psychology (8182). Use them for timed practice and check your answers against the official mark schemes as you go.

AQA GCSE Psychology (8182) Specification

AQA GCSE Psychology (8182) is a single-tier linear qualification with two 1h 45m written papers. Paper 1 (Cognition and Behaviour) covers memory, perception, development and research methods; Paper 2 (Social Context and Behaviour) covers social influence, language/thought, brain/neuropsychology and psychological problems. Each paper is 100 marks, worth 50%.

Download the official spec (PDF)

specification overview

1. Memory
Paper 1
- Processes of memory (encoding, storage, retrieval)
- Structures of memory (multi-store model, working memory)
- Memory as an active process (reconstructive memory, forgetting)
2. Perception
Paper 1
- Sensation and perception
- Visual cues and constancies, Gestalt principles
- Perceptual set (culture, motivation, emotion, expectation)
3. Development
Paper 1
- Early brain development, Piaget's theory of cognitive development
- Application: education (Dweck's mindset theory)
4. Research methods
Paper 1
- Experimental methods (types, independent/dependent variables)
- Non-experimental methods (case studies, observations, interviews)
- Planning research, sampling, ethics, correlation, data handling
5. Social influence
Paper 2
- Conformity (Asch's study), obedience (Milgram)
- Prosocial behaviour, bystander effect (Latane and Darley)
- Crowd behaviour, collective behaviour
6. Language, thought and communication
Paper 2
- Language and thought (Piaget vs Vygotsky, Sapir-Whorf)
- Animal communication (comparison with human language)
7. Brain and neuropsychology
Paper 2
- Nervous system structure and function
- Localisation of brain function, brain scans (fMRI, EEG, CT)
- Cognitive neuroscience
8. Psychological problems
Paper 2
- Effects of psychological problems on individuals and society
- Depression (Beck's cognitive theory, drug therapy, CBT)
- Addiction (Griffiths' model, drug therapy, aversion therapy)

subject content

Paper	What's assessed	Length	Marks	Weight	Question types
Paper 1 (Cognition and Behaviour)	Memory, perception, development, research methods	1h 45m	100	50%	Multiple-choice, short-answer, extended-response (including 6- and 9-mark essays)
Paper 2 (Social Context and Behaviour)	Social influence, language/thought, brain/neuropsychology, psychological problems	1h 45m	100	50%	Multiple-choice, short-answer, extended-response (including 6- and 9-mark essays)

PaperPaper 1 (Cognition and Behaviour)

What's assessedMemory, perception, development, research methods

Length1h 45m

Marks100

Weight50%

Question typesMultiple-choice, short-answer, extended-response (including 6- and 9-mark essays)

PaperPaper 2 (Social Context and Behaviour)

What's assessedSocial influence, language/thought, brain/neuropsychology, psychological problems

Length1h 45m

Marks100

Weight50%

Question typesMultiple-choice, short-answer, extended-response (including 6- and 9-mark essays)

SPaG is assessed on the highest-mark essay in each paper. Both papers include research methods questions across all topics (studying method + data + ethics + evaluation).

assessment structure

AO	What it means	Overall
AO1	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas, processes and procedures.	35%
AO2	Apply knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas, processes and procedures.	35%
AO3	Analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, information and evidence.	30%

AOAO1

What it meansDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas, processes and procedures.

Overall35%

AOAO2

What it meansApply knowledge and understanding of psychological ideas, processes and procedures.

Overall35%

AOAO3

What it meansAnalyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, information and evidence.

Overall30%

assessment objectives

Learn named studies with details
AQA rewards named studies with methods, findings and evaluation. Prepare Asch (conformity), Milgram (obedience), Piaget (conservation), Latane and Darley (bystander), Beck (depression), etc.
Master research methods for both papers
Research methods questions can appear on any topic. Learn: experimental design, sampling, ethics, correlation, data types, hypothesis writing.
Practise 9-mark essays
Both papers have 9-mark essays. Reward: intro (define terms), 3 developed points with evidence, considered evaluation. Practise structure until automatic.
Learn Piaget cold
Piaget's stages of cognitive development come up in both papers. Learn all 4 stages with typical ages and key concepts (schema, assimilation, accommodation, egocentrism).
Master brain diagrams
Paper 2 tests brain structure and function. Learn to draw and label a diagram of the brain (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital lobes; cerebellum, brainstem).
Watch SPaG marks
SPaG is assessed on the highest-mark essay in each paper. Drill common misspellings of psychological terms (conformity, obedience, schema, reconstruct).

key tips for success

Start your learning journey today...

Practise with Cognito's free past papers for this spec – or browse grade boundaries and related specifications.

GCSE Psychology (AQA)

Free past papers

GCSE Psychology (AQA) grade boundaries

Where to next

GCSE Psychology (8182) Specification

Frequently asked questions

Past papers for this spec, free