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Exam Tips

Exam Tips

Use the notes on this website to create Mind Maps, Cue Cards, Glossaries of key terms etc

REMEMBER – Its not just about creating revision resources – you need to learn these resources and be able to recall them, without the aid of the resource

  • Ensure that any description you write as part of an essay is both accurate and detailed.
 
  • When writing evaluation it is important that you use a perfect paragraph rule (something like PEE (Point, Evidence/Example, Elaborate) or PEEL).
 
  • The exam-board don’t award marks for the number of evaluation points stated. Marks are awarded for quality not quantity – using PEE/PEEL will ensure you write quality evaluation paragraphs.
 
  • For a 16 mark essay, include no less than three evaluation paragraphs
 
  • It is difficult to say how many A4 pages a student should write for their 16 mark essay (the size of our handwriting is different).
  • It is hard to remember so many paragraphs of evaluation – learning how to use and apply the PEE/PEEL paragraphs effectively can help to cut down your revision – don’t aim to remember the paragraphs word for word, learn how to formulate the perfect paragraphs and then all you will need to remember is the additional research to support/refute the AO1 you have described.
 
  • You can use research methods as part of your evaluation also – having a good knowledge of research methods can also help to cut down your revision. However, it is important that you don’t rely completely on using research methods to evaluate in your essays. Showing that you have a knowledge of additional research/studies is also important and will help you to get the best grade possible.

The Key Assessment Objectives

A01 - Effectively Outlining a Study

Key Exam Tip

Remember, when outlining a study, in order to achieve the highest possible AO1 marks, it is important that your description is both accurate and detailed! 

In order to ensure that you include all the necessary details when you are describing a study, make sure you outline the studies AIM, PROCEDURE, FINDINGS and CONCLUSION (the APFC method).

Key Exam Tip! One of the questions you may get asked in the exam is to outline (a study, theory, definition etc…)

This type of question is looking at your ability to meet Assessment Objective 1 – AO1 for short.

In order to achieve the highest possible mark in one of these AO1 questions, it is important that you outline the study/theory/definition in an accurate and detailed manner.

Key Exam Tip!! Another type of question that you may get asked in the exam is to evaluate (a study, theory etc…)

This type of question is looking at your ability to meet Assessment Objective 3 – AO3 for short. 

In order to achieve the highest possible mark in one of these AO3 questions, it is important that you evaluate effectively. Many psychology teachers encourage their students to use a perfect paragraph method in order to evaluate effectively (something along the lines of the P.E.E rule – Point, Evidence/Example and Elaborate.).