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AQA GCSE Psychology Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Download free AQA GCSE Psychology (8182) past papers and mark schemes. Cognition, behaviour, social context. 24 resources from 2019 to 2024.

📅June 2019 – June 2024📄24 resources availableFree to download

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24 of 24 resources

June 2023

7 files
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – June 2023

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GCSE Psychology – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – June 2023

Question Paper
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper: Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – June 2023

Question Paper
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper: Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – June 2023

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GCSE Psychology – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – June 2023

Question Paper

GCSE Psychology – Mark scheme: Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – June 2023

Mark Scheme

GCSE Psychology – Mark scheme: Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – June 2023

Mark Scheme

June 2022

6 files
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – June 2022

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GCSE Psychology – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – June 2022

Question Paper
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper: Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – June 2022

Question Paper
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper: Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – June 2022

Question Paper

GCSE Psychology – Mark scheme: Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – June 2022

Mark Scheme

GCSE Psychology – Mark scheme: Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – June 2022

Mark Scheme

November 2021

5 files
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper: Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – November 2021

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GCSE Psychology – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – November 2021

Question Paper
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – November 2021

Question Paper
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper: Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – November 2021

Question Paper

GCSE Psychology – Mark scheme: Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – November 2021

Mark Scheme

November 2020

6 files
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper: Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – November 2020

Question Paper
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper (Modified A3 36pt): Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – November 2020

Question Paper
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – November 2020

Question Paper
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper (Modified A4 18pt): Paper 2 Social context and behaviour – November 2020

Question Paper
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GCSE Psychology – Question paper: Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – November 2020

Question Paper

GCSE Psychology – Mark scheme: Paper 1 Cognition and behaviour – November 2020

Mark Scheme

About AQA GCSE Psychology

AQA GCSE Psychology (specification code 8182) is assessed through two written papers, each lasting 1 hour 45 minutes and worth 100 marks. There is no coursework. It is a non-tiered qualification graded 1–9. Paper 1, 'Cognition and behaviour', covers the following topics: memory (encoding, storage, retrieval, the multi-store model, the working memory model, and forgetting), perception (Gestalt principles, depth cues, theories of perception), development (Piaget's stages, Vygotsky's zone of proximal development, and Kohlberg's stages of moral development), research methods (types of research, experimental design, ethical considerations, data handling), and psychological problems (characteristics of phobias and depression, treating psychological problems). Paper 2, 'Social context and behaviour', covers: social influence (conformity, Milgram's obedience research, social loafing), language, thought and communication (the relationship between language and thought, theories of language acquisition, non-verbal communication), brain and neuropsychology (structure of the brain, neurones, localisation of brain function), and psychological schizophrenia or phobias as an area of study. A significant portion of both papers tests research methods and statistical analysis — students must understand experimental design, measures of central tendency and spread, correlation vs causation, and basic inferential reasoning. Psychological terminology must be used accurately throughout.

Exam Paper Structure

Paper 1Calculator ✓

Cognition and Behaviour

1 hour 45 minutes🎯 100 marks📊 50% of grade
Memory (multi-store model, working memory model, forgetting)Perception (Gestalt, depth cues, theories of perception)Development (Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg)Research methodsPsychological problems (phobias, depression)
Paper 2Calculator ✓

Social Context and Behaviour

1 hour 45 minutes🎯 100 marks📊 50% of grade
Social influence (conformity, obedience — Milgram)Language, thought and communicationBrain and neuropsychologyPsychological disorders (schizophrenia or phobias)

Key Information

Exam BoardAQA
Specification Code8182
QualificationGCSE
Grading Scale9–1
Assessment Type2 written exams (no coursework)
Number Of Papers2
Exam Duration1 hour 45 minutes per paper
Total Marks200 (100 per paper)
Calculator StatusCalculators permitted on both papers
Available SessionsJune 2019 – June 2024
Total Resources24

Key Topics in Psychology

Topics you need to know

Memory: multi-store model and working memory modelPerception: depth cues and perceptual setCognitive development (Piaget's stages)Research methods and experimental designSocial influence: conformity and obedience (Milgram)Language and thought (Chomsky, Whorf)Brain structure and localisation of functionPsychological problems: phobias and depression

Exam Command Words

Command wordWhat the examiner expects
IdentifyName a specific theory, study or variable — no explanation needed
OutlineGive a brief description of the main features of a study or theory
DescribeGive a full description of a study's procedure, findings or a theory's features
ExplainGive reasons why something happens or how a theory accounts for a behaviour
EvaluateAssess the strengths and limitations of a study or theory, reaching a judgement
DiscussPresent multiple perspectives on a psychological issue, using evidence
ApplyUse psychological knowledge to explain a scenario or case study given

Typical Grade Boundaries

GradeApproximate mark needed
Grade 976–86%
Grade 865–75%
Grade 754–64%
Grade 645–53%
Grade 536–44%
Grade 427–35%
Grade 318–26%
Grade 29–17%
Grade 11–8%

⚠️ Typical boundaries across two papers (200 total marks). Actual boundaries vary by series — check AQA's website.

How to Use AQA GCSE Psychology Past Papers Effectively

Psychology past papers reward precise use of terminology and the ability to evaluate research evidence. When revising key studies (Milgram, Loftus and Palmer, Piaget etc.), learn not just the procedure and findings but also the strengths and limitations of each study — evaluation questions are among the most common on both papers. Research methods questions appear on every paper and are often worth 3–6 marks. Practise identifying the independent and dependent variables, writing testable hypotheses, explaining controls, and interpreting data tables. These questions are predictable and practising with past papers will give you a clear template for each type. For the extended response questions (typically 8–12 marks), plan your answer before writing. These questions often ask you to 'discuss' a topic — this means presenting more than one perspective or considering both supporting evidence and challenges. A response that considers only one side cannot reach the highest mark band. Study the exact wording of command words: 'identify' (name only), 'outline' (brief description), 'describe' (full description), 'explain' (description + reason), 'evaluate' (strengths and limitations + balanced judgement). Matching your response to the command word is essential for scoring appropriately on lower-mark questions.

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