How to Use AQA Psychology Past Papers to Get an A/A*

by Yum Yum Mama Team November 30, 2025

(The exact method top students use — and how to apply it in under 20 minutes)

Revising for AQA A-Level Psychology can feel overwhelming — there’s so much content, so many studies, and so many topics to get through. But top-grade students all have one thing in common:

They use past papers strategically.

Not randomly.
Not occasionally.
Not “when I feel ready.”

They build their whole revision plan around past papers — because that’s what actually builds exam skill, improves AO1/AO3, and boosts confidence.

This guide will show you step-by-step how to use AQA Psychology past papers properly, with an example A* answer you can download for free.

If you need all the past papers in one place, here’s your hub:
👉 AQA Psychology A Level Past Papers (All Years)

Step 1 — Start Small: Attempt ONE Question (Not a whole paper)

Most students dive straight into full papers and then panic when they run out of time or can’t finish the 16-markers.
Top students do the opposite: they begin with one question at a time.

Start with:

✔ One 4- or 6-mark AO2 application question
✔ One Issues & Debates or Research Methods question
✔ One 16-marker from Approaches, Biopsychology, Psychopathology etc.

This trains your brain to understand what exam questions look like, rather than overwhelming yourself with 2-hour papers.

Step 2 — See What an A* Answer Actually Looks Like

Understanding what good looks like is one of the fastest ways to improve.

Here’s a complete A* Biological Approach 16-marker you can download for free:

👉 Download the A* Biological Approach Model Answer (PDF)

Inside you’ll find:

AO1 vs AO3 broken down clearly
How to develop evaluation using research
A strong introduction with a hook question
Counterarguments and link-back sentences
A “next steps” guide on how to revise using the essay

After reading it, return to the matching past paper and attempt the question yourself.
This is the exact method A/A* students use.

Step 3 — Use the Mark Scheme Like an Examiner

Mark schemes are gold. They tell you:

Exactly what AO1 must include
What examiners count as AO3
How many evaluation points to give
What “effective elaboration” looks like
How 16-markers should be structured

Top students don’t just mark their answers — they study the mark scheme.

Try this:

✔ Step 1: Attempt the question under timed conditions

✔ Step 2: Read the mark scheme slowly

✔ Step 3: Compare your answer to each bullet point

✔ Step 4: Rewrite ONE paragraph to match A* quality

This small habit dramatically boosts marks.

Step 4 — Rewrite Notes Neatly (This Helps More Than You Think)

Once you understand the structure, rewrite the main AO1 + AO3 points neatly in your notebook.

You don’t need special templates — lined pages work perfectly for:

AO1 summaries
AO3 PBWCL paragraphs (Point, Because, Why, Counterargument, Link back to the Hook)
Mini study A5 note pages
Past paper answer rewrites
Topic-specific revision summaries
Tracking weaknesses

If you like keeping each Psychology topic organised in its own dedicated space, you can use a separate notebook for each topic.

👉 View A5 Psychology Topic Revision Notebooks

These are ideal for rewriting model answers and keeping past paper responses tidy.

Step 5 — Track the Questions You Do (This Is What A* Students Do)

Tracking improves confidence and highlights real progress.

Create a simple table in your notebook:

Question attempted
Date
Marks achieved
What went well
What to improve
What to practise next

Take a look at our past paper tracker here to help you do this

Step 6 — Move to Full Papers When You’re Ready

Once you’ve built confidence with individual questions:

✔ Attempt one full Paper 1

✔ Then Paper 2

✔ Then Paper 3

Use the two-pass method:

Pass 1: Complete all short questions
Pass 2: Return to 8- and 16-markers

This removes panic and improves time management.

After marking your paper:

Identify weak AO3
Rewrite ONE paragraph
Write key notes in your notebook
Summarise mistakes at the bottom of the page

Repeat this weekly = rapid grade improvement.

Step 7 — Focus on Weak Areas Only (Not whole topics)

Instead of redoing entire papers, focus on:

Weak AO3 paragraphs
RM calculations
Slow areas
Hard application questions
Topics you repeatedly score low on

This is a smart, efficient revision method.

Final Tip: Keep Looping Back to Past Papers

Every time you:

Learn a topic
Rewrite an essay
Practise AO3
Make mistakes
Lose confidence

…go back to a past paper question.

Past papers are the backbone of A* Psychology revision.

If you ever need them:
👉 Browse AQA Psychology Past Papers (All Papers)