A Level Psychology (9698)
I have taught A Level Psychology using the AQA syllabus and more recently using the CIE syllabus. I find the subject fascinating as it complements A Level Sociology well and I love Sociology.
Hope these updated resources help you to navigate through A Level Psychology too.
Updated July 2015
Suggested Textbooks
I love finding Cambridge-endorsed books for the subject I am teaching, as it is like having a teacher assisting me. The following books closely follow the syllabus:
Much of the material for this course is found in the original journals and periodicals that published specific studies. For reference, candidates should go through the syllabus and try to read the original studies. Teachers can prepare notes to supplement the key studies. In addition, the following texts which summarise key studies are useful for teachers and students:
There are plenty of textbooks geared towards another examining board (AQA) that has several overlapping topics and themes with the CIE syllabus. Some of the books might be a useful reference for teachers and students alike, especially with research methodology content. Books are normally divided into AS and A Level for AQA, so both would be needed.
I found the following books useful for reference and for revision purposes:
For the specialist choices on Paper 3 (A2), the syllabus has an extensive list of books that are useful. Try to look through the books carefully as not all books are necessary. The recommended texts usually have the greatest relevance to the syllabus material, so start with these once you have made your choices.
Syllabus
To have most success at passing CIE examinations, it is important to read the syllabus for the year in which the student is taking the examination. It can be accessed on the CIE website at
http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-psychology-9698/
CIE Past Papers
1. Past papers for A Level Psychology can be obtained from the CIE website under the specific subject at
http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-psychology-9698/past-papers/
There are examiners’ reports, question papers and marking schemes for one of the previous year’s exam sessions.
2. If you want more past papers, go to the CIE website and click on the publications tab. There are usually three years' worth of past papers, examiners' reports and marking schemes. For minimal cost, you get a CD-Rom with all the papers in your specific subject. Check here for the latest publications catalogue:
http://www.cie.org.uk/profiles/teachers/orderpub
Websites
http://psychtutor.weebly.com/
This site is specifically for CIE topics that are covered in the syllabus and forms a useful starting point for students. Well worth a visit.
https://www.boundless.com/psychology/
Though not specifically aimed at A Level, the Boundless site is one of my recent discoveries and is well worth a visit. There is plenty of relevant content, Power Points, tests...take a look.
http://www.bps.org.uk/
The archived Research Digests are great to look through as they give ideas on some of the current or recent research. This can interest teachers and students to follow a focus topic further.
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/psychology
S-Cool is a good resource for revision topics in psychology or as a starting point. It's very readable for students.
www.psychnet-uk.com
This has a useful portal for other sites, including http://psychology.vanguard.edu/amoebaweb/ which is full of information. Well worth a look by the teachers, and then students can be guided to specific areas on the site.
www.psychlotron.org.uk/newresources.html
A UK-based site, there are several sections on many of the areas covered in the syllabus. Teachers can use the PowerPoints to supplement their teaching, for example, or students can use the information as a way of consolidating knowledge.
www.all-about-psychology.com
One of the most useful websites on A Level Psychology, although it is not geared to the CIE examinations. Take your time looking through the site, as it is one of the most comprehensive, to date.
http://www.simplypsychology.org/a-level-psychology.html
A revision site for AQA students, it is still relevant to look through.
http://www.sparknotes.com/psychology/
Spark notes on psychology is always a good place to go. Bite-sized information as revision or to help consolidate notes.
https://imperialmentoring.org/knowledge-bank/social-sciences/studying-social-sciences/a-level-psychology-revision-guide
A portal site for psychology links, thanks to Imperial College London
Copyright©2015 All rights reserved. Eddis Tutorial Services LLC
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Hope these updated resources help you to navigate through A Level Psychology too.
Updated July 2015
Suggested Textbooks
I love finding Cambridge-endorsed books for the subject I am teaching, as it is like having a teacher assisting me. The following books closely follow the syllabus:
- Roberts, C. (2014) Psychology for Cambridge International AS and A Level ISBN 9780198307068
- Roberts, C. (2015) Psychology for Cambridge International AS and A Level Revision Guide ISBN 9780198307075
- Clarke, D. (2013) Cambridge International AS and A Level Psychology Revision Guide ISBN 9780763765798
Much of the material for this course is found in the original journals and periodicals that published specific studies. For reference, candidates should go through the syllabus and try to read the original studies. Teachers can prepare notes to supplement the key studies. In addition, the following texts which summarise key studies are useful for teachers and students:
- Gross, R. (2007) Key Studies in Psychology 5th Edition ISBN 978-0340947395
- Banyard, P., & Grayson, A (2007) Introducing Psychological Research: seventy studies that shape psychology 3rd Edition ISBN 9781403900388
- Banyard, P., & Flanagan, C. (2008) OCR Psychology AS core studies 2nd Edition ISBN 1841697281
- Hill, G. (2009) AS and A Level Psychology Through Diagrams: Oxford Revision Guides ISBN 978-0199180943
There are plenty of textbooks geared towards another examining board (AQA) that has several overlapping topics and themes with the CIE syllabus. Some of the books might be a useful reference for teachers and students alike, especially with research methodology content. Books are normally divided into AS and A Level for AQA, so both would be needed.
I found the following books useful for reference and for revision purposes:
- Cardwell, M., Clark, L. & Meldrum, C. (2008) Psychology AS for AQA A ISBN 978-0007255030
- Cardwell, M. et al (2009) Psychology A2 for AQA A ISBN 978 0007255047
- Braid, K. et al (2009) AS & A2 Psychology ISBN 9781847624222
- Cardwell, M. & Flanagan, C. (2008) Psychology AS ISBN 9781850082880
- Cardwell, M. & Flanagan, C. (2009) Psychology A2 ISBN 9781850082897
For the specialist choices on Paper 3 (A2), the syllabus has an extensive list of books that are useful. Try to look through the books carefully as not all books are necessary. The recommended texts usually have the greatest relevance to the syllabus material, so start with these once you have made your choices.
Syllabus
To have most success at passing CIE examinations, it is important to read the syllabus for the year in which the student is taking the examination. It can be accessed on the CIE website at
http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-psychology-9698/
CIE Past Papers
1. Past papers for A Level Psychology can be obtained from the CIE website under the specific subject at
http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-psychology-9698/past-papers/
There are examiners’ reports, question papers and marking schemes for one of the previous year’s exam sessions.
2. If you want more past papers, go to the CIE website and click on the publications tab. There are usually three years' worth of past papers, examiners' reports and marking schemes. For minimal cost, you get a CD-Rom with all the papers in your specific subject. Check here for the latest publications catalogue:
http://www.cie.org.uk/profiles/teachers/orderpub
Websites
http://psychtutor.weebly.com/
This site is specifically for CIE topics that are covered in the syllabus and forms a useful starting point for students. Well worth a visit.
https://www.boundless.com/psychology/
Though not specifically aimed at A Level, the Boundless site is one of my recent discoveries and is well worth a visit. There is plenty of relevant content, Power Points, tests...take a look.
http://www.bps.org.uk/
The archived Research Digests are great to look through as they give ideas on some of the current or recent research. This can interest teachers and students to follow a focus topic further.
http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/psychology
S-Cool is a good resource for revision topics in psychology or as a starting point. It's very readable for students.
www.psychnet-uk.com
This has a useful portal for other sites, including http://psychology.vanguard.edu/amoebaweb/ which is full of information. Well worth a look by the teachers, and then students can be guided to specific areas on the site.
www.psychlotron.org.uk/newresources.html
A UK-based site, there are several sections on many of the areas covered in the syllabus. Teachers can use the PowerPoints to supplement their teaching, for example, or students can use the information as a way of consolidating knowledge.
www.all-about-psychology.com
One of the most useful websites on A Level Psychology, although it is not geared to the CIE examinations. Take your time looking through the site, as it is one of the most comprehensive, to date.
http://www.simplypsychology.org/a-level-psychology.html
A revision site for AQA students, it is still relevant to look through.
http://www.sparknotes.com/psychology/
Spark notes on psychology is always a good place to go. Bite-sized information as revision or to help consolidate notes.
https://imperialmentoring.org/knowledge-bank/social-sciences/studying-social-sciences/a-level-psychology-revision-guide
A portal site for psychology links, thanks to Imperial College London
Copyright©2015 All rights reserved. Eddis Tutorial Services LLC
Back to home page