The best results usually come from picking one main textbook series for learning, a workbook/revision guide for practice, and a targeted resource for Research Methods & maths. Below are trusted choices students use for AQA A Level Psychology (7182), plus how to combine them effectively.

Core course textbooks (choose one series and stick to it)

• Illuminate Publishing — Flanagan series (Year 1 & AS, Year 2)
  Clear explanations with strong exam focus and activities. Very popular across centres; pairs well with their workbooks and maths/research titles.
• Hodder Education — Lawton & Willard Student Books (Book 1, Book 2)
  Crisp layouts and good coverage of AO language and exam skills; integrates with Hodder’s “My Revision Notes” series.
• Oxford (OUP) — The Complete Companions
  Comprehensive topic coverage and helpful evaluation angles; widely used for enrichment and consolidation.

Tip: Use the series that matches your teacher/tutor’s approach so terminology and examples line up with your assignments and mock marking.

Revision guides & workbooks

• Illuminate Exam Practice Workbooks (Year 1 & Year 2) — exam-style questions with model answers and mark-scheme style feedback.
• Hodder “My Revision Notes” (AQA Psychology) — concise topic summaries with targeted practice and examiner tips.
• OUP Complete Companions: Revision/Workbooks — structured recap plus applied practice items.

Research Methods & maths skills (target your weak spots)

• Maths Skills for A Level Psychology (Illuminate) — percentages, averages, graphs, practicals and test selection explained at the right level.
• Research Methods Companion (Illuminate) — sampling, design, ethics, reliability/validity with short practice tasks.
• AQA assessment resources — past papers & mark schemes are essential to learn command words and AO balance.

Free official resources to bookmark

• AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification — topics, AOs, and assessment structure.
• AQA assessment resources — past papers, mark schemes, examiner reports.
• British Psychological Society (BPS) — articles and student-facing explainers for wider reading.

What to buy if…

• …you want one clear learning route: pick a single textbook series (Illuminate or Hodder) + its matching workbook.
• …AO3 evaluation is your weakness: use OUP/Complete Companions or Hodder exam tips sections to collect reusable evaluation angles.
• …maths or Research Methods feel scary: add a dedicated Maths Skills / Research Methods companion and practise 5–10 minutes each study session.
• …you’re short on time: use a revision guide for topic overviews + past-paper practice from AQA’s site.

How to use your resources effectively

• Learn → test → improve: read one subsection, then answer 2–3 exam-style questions before moving on.
• Mirror the AOs: write notes with AO1 (facts), AO2 (applications), AO3 (evaluation) headings to build exam-ready material.
• Past-paper rhythm: weekly 10–15 minute timed writes; fortnightly longer essay marked against the levels descriptors.

Related guides

External references

• AQA — A Level Psychology (7182) specification
• AQA — Assessment resources (past papers & mark schemes)
• Illuminate Publishing (Psychology) · Hodder Education · Oxford University Press

Final thought

Pick one main textbook pathway, add a workbook for practice, and shore up Research Methods/maths with a focused companion. Then live in past papers — that’s the fastest route to higher marks.