Paper 1 Section B features two questions worth 6 marks each. With approximately 15 minutes per question, efficiency is critical. The questions prompt you to apply your understanding of Content (that means topics/concepts from the Biological, Cognitive, or Sociocultural approaches) to an unseen scenario provided in the exam question. The scenario is based on one of the four Contexts, but this is not very important to achieving success in these two questions.

These questions’ command terms come only from the AO2 set (such as Explain or Analyse). This means you do not need to provide evidence of critical thinking or evaluation. References to research studies are not required and should not be included.

How to achieve the top marks?

To score in the top markband (5–6 marks), your answer must meet two assessment descriptors:

1. Knowledge and understanding are accurate and detailed.
2. The application of relevant knowledge is well developed.

Our recommended three-step structure

Define: Start by defining the psychological terms – use precise language. (This is where you demonstrate your knowledge.)

Deconstruct: Unpack the unseen scenario by matching its details directly to the content you just defined. (This is where you demonstrate your understanding.)

Integrate: Directly answer the question, by weaving the content into the scenario/context – referring to the text of the question. (This is where you apply your relevant knowledge.)

Check: Is what you’ve written accurate, precise and answering the question?

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