A Level Psychology is a big step up from GCSE Psychology and often pupils start the A Level with no previous psychology experience at all. Having an A Level Psychology Tutor can really support your learning and understanding of the subject.
A Level Psychology spans topics as diverse as cognition, biology, and society. This qualification invites exploration of how and why we behave as we do, as well as how the findings of psychological study pertain to our everyday lives. Psychology A Level fosters critical analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data and broadminded research of the debates and applications of this burgeoning field. This A Level is a good choice for any student pursuing social sciences, humanities, or more specialised psychological studies.
What is A Level Psychology all about?
Though syllabuses and prescribed modules do vary, an A Level in Psychology is generally intended to:
- Introduce a student to the biological, cognitive, developmental, and social aspects of the discipline.
- Contextualise the applications and methods of psychological studies.
- Encourage further research and specialisation in a field such as health, criminology, or pediatrics.
How an A Level Psychology tutor will help you do well
Even if exams are an opportunity to show off what you know, Psychology A Level also requires a candidate to write clearly and concisely. Psychology examiner reports are often critical of candidates not reading the question: a candidate should set aside time in the exam to properly dissect the terms of the question and plan a response accordingly. Another common critique is that some candidates struggle to think laterally under pressure.
Consequently, students should take the time to consider the implications of the subject material they have learned. For example, the cost implications of a study or the challenges of survey design. As with all subjects that are examined through structured and essay- style questions, contextual detail should be used with consideration: nothing in a candidate’s essay should be to the detriment of Answering the Question at hand!
So, to do well you’re A Level Psychology Tutor will spend a lot of time in the run up to the exam going through past papers. Going through past papers means your A Level Psychology Tutor can help your child master each style of exam question. This will help your child to obtain higher marks.
Understand the mark scheme
As a parent, you need to understand how your child’s A Level Psychology exams will be marked. This is so that you know how to help them to obtain the best mark that they can achieve. All the exam boards publish detailed guidance on what they are looking for, including specimen marked answers.
Your child needs to know exactly what the examiner wants from them in each style of assessment. They then need to learn how to ‘tick the boxes’ on the mark scheme to ensure they pick up the most marks they can. Learning different exam question styles will be an essential part of your child’s time with their A Level Psychology tutor.
Make a revision plan
It is important that your child allows enough time for the revision process. They need to do their work properly. You’re A Level Psychology tutor will have a structured revision plan by the January of their exam year.
Quality Revision
Firstly, make sure your child has their notes in order! It is often helpful to check off notes against the requirement of a syllabus as the year goes on. Once you’re both confident that your child has covered and noted the whole syllabus, they can independently start to make revision notes and mind maps based on things such as theoretical concepts or case studies. The skills developed in this re-noting and reformulating are very helpful for structuring coherent analysis and arguments.
Before exam season, however, it is important to liaise with teachers about any material that your child is finding difficult. The more notice you give them before exams, the more likely it is that they’ll be able to make time to offer support and go over tricky topics.
Throughout the academic year and revision period, it is helpful to think about how your child learns. Do they like the pressure of a memory test or flashcards? Or is mapping out key ideas helpful? Maybe they like challenging themselves to write everything they know about a topic on one side of A4? Or talking things over with a parent, sibling, or their A Level Psychology tutor? We all learn differently, so it is good to be aware of how best your child learns.
What is different this year?
According to a Department for Education assessment released on 30 September 2021, “exam boards will provide advance information about the focus of the content of the exams for all GCSE, AS and A level subjects… for the summer 2022 exams”. This information will be released by 7 February 2022. If the information is released sooner than 7 February, DfE will give schools and students “at least a week’s notice”.
Sitting Public exams
Even after navigating the demands of GCSEs, students can feel immense pressure around the time of public exams and it is part of your job as a parent to help them navigate this. On a positive note, this can be a time of great personal growth for teenagers, as they specialise in academic interests, sustain hard work over many months and push through exam nerves. Talk to your child about managing their emotions and introduce important elements of self care, such as sufficient sleep and good nutrition.
A Level Psychology tutor
The best way to support your child through their A Level Psychology is to give them the tools and skills to succeed. Some targeted intervention with an experienced A Level Psychology tutor can make all the difference. Our A Level Psychology tutors are experienced, qualified teachers, Heads of Department and Examiners who know the A Level Psychology syllabus back to front. They can teach your child in the manner they learn best, explain the latest mark schemes, help them understand complicated processes, and dramatically improve their exam technique.
FAQs
What are the Main Exam Boards of A-Level Psychology?
It’s important to identify which exam board your child’s school is following for A Level Psychology, as they do vary. For example, different boards offer different optional modules. Knowing which exam board your child is studying is great information to give to your A Level Psychology Tutor. This will help them tailor their lessons with your child, to include relevant syllabus content and dovetail with the correct mark scheme.
The main exam boards for A Level Psychology are:
- Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR)
- Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA)
- Edexcel
- Cambridge Assessment International Education (CIE)
How Will an A-Level Psychology Tutor Help You Do Well?
Your A Level Psychology Tutor will make sure your child has mastered the content of the entire syllabus, has had plenty of question practice and has spent a lot of time in the run up to the exam working through past papers. Practising past papers helps your A Level student master each style of exam question. This will help your child to obtain higher marks.
What Makes a Good Tutor?
Our A Level Psychology tutors are experienced, qualified teachers, Heads of Department and Examiners who know the A Level Psychology syllabus back to front. They can teach your child in the manner they learn best, explain the latest mark schemes, help them understand complicated processes, and dramatically improve their exam technique.
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