Getting good psychology A-level results is as simple as making sure you understand all of the fundamental subjects and can recall details of relevant studies. Attachment, stress, memory, biological rhythms, social influence, social conformity, and psychological abnormality are all covered in depth in the A-level psychology course. To achieve the best results, you must study diligently, employ memory aids such as mnemonics, and be able to demonstrate mastery of the major subject areas.
A-levels are primarily studied by students aged 16 to 18 who have recently completed secondary school in the United Kingdom. The results of your A-levels are used to determine if you are eligible for university courses. As a result, if you want to pursue psychology as a degree program, you must excel in your psychology A-level.
It is critical to have a clear and well-informed understanding of the key topics of study in psychology to achieve the best A-level results. In the abnormal psychology module, for example, having a basic understanding of the psychological definition of “abnormal” is insufficient. You should also be aware of the various theories surrounding the causes of psychological abnormality and its various manifestations.
A-level psychology tests require you to recall a large amount of information about various studies, their aims, methodology, results, and implications for the field of study. Furthermore, you must recall the dates on which various studies were completed, as well as the names of the individuals who completed them. There’s a lot to remember here, but it’s also critical to understand the study itself.
If at all possible, use mnemonics. Mnemonics take the first letter of each word in a relevant list and replace it with an alternative word that is easier to remember as a whole. For example, remembering Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, which include sensorimotor, pre-operational, concrete-operational, and formal-operational, could be as simple as remembering “smart people cook fish.” This won’t help you fully recall the stages of cognitive development, but it will help you remember the correct words because it provides all of the initial letters.
You can also use the memory information you learned as part of your psychology A-level course to assist you, in addition to mnemonics. Short-term memory, for example, lasts about 18 seconds, and items are committed to long-term memory through repetition or simply because of their importance. The only issues you’ll have are with recalling something once it’s been stored in your long-term memory.
It’s a good idea to take some practice tests on the various subject areas before your psychology A-level exam. There are numerous resources online that provide detailed revision assistance and practice tests, as well as questions to assess your understanding of various sections of psychology textbooks. The better you do on your psychology A-level, the more questions you can answer off the top of your head.