WPS01 exam technique

Assessment objectives

• AO1: knowledge and understanding of theories, studies and methods.
• AO2: application to a scenario (stimulus material).
• AO3: analysis and evaluation, reaching judgements.

The specification says the qualification has 10% mathematical content (calculations, statistics, interpreting tables). Short questions (1 to 6 marks) often use command words such as identify, describe, explain, calculate, justify.

Extended questions

• 8 marks (Sections A and B), for example 'Evaluate Bartlett's theory of reconstructive memory': AO1 4 + AO3 4. Balance description with evaluation and finish with a conclusion.
• 12 marks (Section C), for example evaluating which of two experiments in a scenario is more appropriate: AO1 4 + AO2 4 + AO3 4. Use the scenario throughout.
• Levels: Level 4 (7 to 8 or 10 to 12) needs accurate, thorough knowledge, well-developed logical chains of reasoning, sustained application, and a balanced conclusion.
• 'Evaluate', 'assess' and 'to what extent' need a judgement. 'Discuss' does not need a conclusion.

Examiner tips

• Write chains of reasoning (point, because, which means) rather than lists.
• Know the theory itself, not only the study: answers about Bartlett's theory that only describe War of the Ghosts lose marks.
• In 12-mark answers, refer to the whole scenario, not just one detail.
• Get research methods terms exactly right (for example, field versus natural experiments).
• Evaluate with the spec's issues: validity, reliability, credibility, generalisability, objectivity, subjectivity, plus ethics.
• In calculations, show working and follow the rounding asked for.

Worked example

Plan an 8-mark answer: 'Evaluate the multi-store model of memory.'

1. AO1: three stores; encoding, capacity and duration of each; attention and rehearsal.
2. AO3 strength: supported by Peterson and Peterson (1959) and HM (separate STM and LTM).
3. AO3 weakness: KF shows STM is not unitary; LTM has several types; artificial tasks lower ecological validity.
4. Conclusion: useful and well supported for the idea of separate stores, but oversimplified; the working memory model gives a better account of STM.

Answer: About half description, half developed evaluation, ending with a balanced judgement.

Check yourself

1. WPS01 has 64 marks in 90 minutes. How many minutes is that per mark? Give your answer to 2 decimal places.
   Show answer

   1.41 minutes. 90 / 64 = 1.41 minutes per mark.

2. Using that rate, about how many minutes should a 12-mark question take? Give your answer to the nearest minute.
   Show answer

   17 minutes. 12 x 1.41 = about 17 minutes.

3. How are the 8 marks split in a Section A or B extended 'evaluate' question?
   • 8 AO1
   • 4 AO2 and 4 AO3
   • 4 AO1 and 4 AO3
   • 2 AO1, 2 AO2 and 4 AO3
   Show answer

   4 AO1 and 4 AO3. Equal knowledge and evaluation.

4. What does the 12-mark Section C question add compared with the 8-mark questions?
   • A multiple-choice section
   • AO2 marks for applying knowledge to the scenario
   • Marks for drawing diagrams
   • Marks for spelling only
   Show answer

   AO2 marks for applying knowledge to the scenario. AO1 4 + AO2 4 + AO3 4: application to the context.

5. Which command word does NOT require a conclusion?
   • Evaluate
   • Assess
   • To what extent
   • Discuss
   Show answer

   Discuss. Pearson's guide says discuss needs no judgement.

6. What distinguishes a Level 4 answer to an 8-mark 'evaluate' question?
   Show answer

   Accurate and thorough knowledge, well-developed logical chains of reasoning in the evaluation, and a balanced conclusion.. Thorough AO1, developed AO3 and a balanced conclusion.

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Sources

• Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Psychology specification (issue January 2026)
• Pearson International A Level Psychology component guide: WPS01
• Pearson: Unit 1 Social and cognitive psychology exemplars with examiner commentaries
• Pearson WPS01/01 question paper, June 2025 (copy hosted by Physics and Maths Tutor)

Last updated 8 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.