Biopsychology A Level Psychology AQA: The AO2 Revision Strategy You Need

by Yum Yum Mama Team May 20, 2025

If you're revising for your AQA A Level Psychology exams, you've probably come across the Biopsychology topic and thought: "How on earth do I apply this stuff to real-life scenarios?" You're not alone. While many students focus on AO1 (knowledge) and AO3 (evaluation), it's AO2 — application — that often causes the most stress.

In this post, we'll break down what AO2 looks like in Biopsychology, highlight the most important Biopsychology A Level topics, and introduce you to a resource designed to boost your AO2 marks fast.

What Topics Are in A Level Biopsychology?

According to the AQA specification, Biopsychology includes:

The divisions of the nervous system
The structure and function of sensory, relay and motor neurons
The process of synaptic transmission
The function of the endocrine system
Localisation of function in the brain
Hemispheric lateralisation
Split-brain research
Plasticity and functional recovery
Ways of studying the brain
Biological rhythms (circadian, infradian, ultradian)

These topics are often heavy in detail — especially with biological terms and diagrams. That’s why having strong AO2 skills can help bring the content to life and score top marks.

What Does AO2 Look Like in Biopsychology?

AO2 is about applying your psychological knowledge to a given context. In AQA exams, this usually appears in the form of a scenario-based question.

Example AO2 Question:

"Jade is struggling to stay awake during the day and finds it hard to concentrate. She works night shifts and rarely sees natural light. Explain Jade's experience using your knowledge of circadian rhythms."

A weak answer would repeat definitions of circadian rhythms. A strong AO2 answer would:

Identify that Jade's shift work disrupts her sleep-wake cycle
Link this to the role of light as an exogenous zeitgeber
Possibly reference the SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) and melatonin production

Why Students Struggle With AO2

Here are the most common AO2 mistakes students make in Biopsychology:

Giving textbook definitions instead of applying concepts
Ignoring the context clues in the scenario
Failing to name-drop key terms like pineal gland, SCN, or fMRI
Writing generic answers with no specific link to the situation

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most students aren’t shown how to practise AO2 — which is why we created the next resource.

The AO2 Blitz Pack: Last-Minute Application Practice That Works

To solve the AO2 struggle, we created the AO2 Blitz Pack — the ultimate last-minute cram resource to help students apply psychology across Paper 1 and 2 topics, including Biopsychology.

This is your ultimate last-minute revision weapon — a 101-question AO2 PowerPoint cram pack designed specifically for Approaches and Biopsychology, the two most application-heavy topics in the AQA A-Level Psychology spec.

Built for speed, focus, and exam impact, this resource gives you instant access to challenging, real-world scenario questions — just like the ones you’ll face in the exam. Each question is paired with a click-to-reveal model answer, so you can test yourself before seeing how it should be done.

Use It To:

Practise under timed conditions (e.g. 2 minutes per question)
Quiz yourself or a study partner in small groups
Build confidence applying theories to unfamiliar situations
Strengthen AO2 for high-mark exam questions
Focus your final revision where it matters most

Inside the Pack:

A visually engaging PowerPoint with 101 AO2 application questions
Full coverage of Paper 2 topics: Approaches & Biopsychology
Click-to-reveal model answers for instant feedback and reflection
Fully compatible with phones, laptops, or tablets
Optional print version for handwritten annotation

Top Tip:

Use this in quick bursts — try 10 questions in 20 minutes. Mark your responses, note areas for review, and watch your confidence skyrocket.

👉 Grab the AO2 Blitz Pack here

FAQs – People Also Search For:

Where can I find past papers for AQA A-Level Biopsychology?

You can find past papers for AQA A-Level Psychology, including Biopsychology questions, on the official AQA website. Look specifically at Paper 2 as Biopsychology is assessed there. For targeted practice, use our AO2 Blitz Pack, which includes 101 Biopsychology and Approaches scenario questions with model answers.

What are the best revision notes for A-Level Biopsychology?

The best revision notes clearly cover:

The nervous system and endocrine system
Neurons and synaptic transmission
Localisation of function
Brain plasticity and functional recovery
Biological rhythms and sleep/wake cycle
We recommend summarised bullet-point notes combined with active recall. Pair them with application questions from the AO2 Blitz Pack to move beyond just memorising facts.

What topics are included in A-Level Biopsychology?

AQA’s Biopsychology content includes:

Structure and function of the nervous system
Endocrine system (including hormones and glands)
Neurons and synaptic transmission
Localisation of brain function
Plasticity and functional recovery
Ways of studying the brain (fMRI, EEG, etc.)
Biological rhythms: circadian, infradian, ultradian

How should I revise for A-Level Biopsychology effectively?

Use a 3-step strategy:

Review notes or flashcards (AO1)
Test recall through quizzes (active recall)
Apply your knowledge to scenarios (AO2)
Students often miss out on AO2 practice — that’s why the AO2 Blitz Pack is ideal for targeting exam-style application questions fast.

Are Quizlet flashcards good for revising A-Level Biopsychology?

Yes — Quizlet is great for learning key terms and AO1 facts. However, it doesn’t build AO2 application skills. Use flashcards alongside applied scenario packs like the AO2 Blitz Pack to cover all assessment objectives.

Is Simply Psychology useful for understanding Biopsychology topics?

Yes, Simply Psychology offers easy-to-read summaries and diagrams. It's perfect for building foundational knowledge, especially for topics like localisation and biological rhythms. For exam-level prep, make sure to also practise applying this knowledge — that’s where resources like the Blitz Pack come in.

Where can I get flashcards for AQA A-Level Biopsychology?

You can find pre-made flashcards on Quizlet or create your own using platforms like Anki. If you're using flashcards for AO1, make sure you also revise AO2 with scenario-based tools like the AO2 Blitz Pack, which helps turn facts into exam marks.

What do I need to know for AQA Biopsychology in A-Level Psychology?

You need to know both AO1 theory and AO2 application. That includes:

Definitions and explanations of biological systems
The ability to apply them to new situations (e.g., case studies, article stems)
AO2 is where many students lose marks — mastering it can make the difference between a grade B and an A*. Our AO2 Blitz Pack focuses exclusively on building that skill.

Final Thought

AO2 doesn’t need to be scary — it just needs to be practised properly. The AO2 Blitz Pack gives you that practice without the fluff. If you want to walk into your Paper 2 exam with real confidence, start applying what you know now.

Download the AO2 Blitz Pack today and get ahead.

More Useful Links: