Strong preparation for A Level Psychology isn’t about cramming dozens of studies — it’s about knowing the specification, practising the exam skills that earn marks, and building habits you can sustain.

Use the checklist below to get set up before (and during) your course.

1) Know the specification & assessment

• Skim the AQA (7182) specification to see topics, assessment format and command words.
• Note where Research Methods appears — it runs through every paper.
• Create a topic list (core content + your options) as your master revision map.

Official spec: AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification. Marking explained: Assessment Objectives (AO1–AO3).

2) Set up your study system

• One folder/section per topic with: key studies, definitions, applications, AO3 evaluation.
• Flashcards for terms, findings, statistics skills, and Issues & Debates links.
• Weekly plan: 2–3 focused sessions (45–60 mins) plus a short retrieval session.

3) Build core skills early

• Essay structure: Use PEEL/PEACE paragraphs with concise conclusions. See our Psychology essay guide.
• Research Methods: Validity, reliability, sampling, design, ethics, graphs. Start with Research Methods: what you need to know.
• Maths & stats: Percentages, averages, graphs, and basic tests (AQA). Quick overview: How much maths is in Psychology?

4) Use high-quality resources

• Pick one core textbook/workbook set and stick to it for notes and practice. Our picks: best textbooks & resources for AQA Psychology.
• Mirror examiner language by using specification keywords in your notes.
• Download past papers and mark schemes from AQA’s site: Assessment resources.

5) Practise like the exam

• Weekly: 10–15 minutes of timed writing (one PEEL paragraph or a 6–8 marker).
• Every 2–3 weeks: one longer essay under timed conditions, then self-mark against AOs.
• Keep a rolling errors & fixes log to target recurring weaknesses.

6) Make evaluation automatic (AO3)

• Learn 3–4 reusable angles: methodology/design, sample/ethics, alternative explanations, real-world applications.
• Weave in Issues & Debates (nature–nurture, reductionism/holism, determinism/free will, cultural bias). Guide: Issues & Debates for AO3.

7) Subject mix & starting points

• Pair Psychology with essay subjects for writing practice, or with Maths/Science for research/statistics confidence.
• See: what subjects pair well with Psychology.
• No GCSE Psychology? That’s fine — focus on building vocabulary and AO skills early. Can you study A Level Psychology without GCSE Psychology?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Memorising study “stories” without linking them to the question (weak AO2).
• Listing evaluation bullets without explaining why they change conclusions (thin AO3).
• Leaving Research Methods and maths until the end.
• Copying notes instead of practising with mark schemes and timed tasks.

Related guides

External references

• AQA — A Level Psychology (7182) specification
• AQA — Assessment resources (past papers & mark schemes)
• British Psychological Society — student resources

Final thought

Preparation is about consistency. Master the AOs, practise little and often, and evaluate as you go — you’ll hit the ground running when the exams arrive.