How to Write a 16-Mark Answer in AQA Psychology (Using PBWC + A* Cognitive Example)

by Yum Yum Mama Team November 30, 2025

Success in AQA A-Level Psychology depends heavily on mastering 16-mark essay questions. These extended answers appear in every paper and often make the difference between a mid-grade and an A*.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to build a strong 16-marker using the PBWC structure, how to use a hook question to frame your evaluation, and how to create coherence between AO1 paragraphs using connectives.

You’ll also get a free A* Cognitive Approach essay AND a full Cornell Notes pack for AO1 and AO3.

Why 16-Mark Questions Matter

Every 16-marker is marked:

AO1: 6 marks (knowledge)
AO3: 10 marks (evaluation)

Most students lose marks on AO3 because they don’t structure their paragraphs properly.

That’s where PBWC comes in.

The PBWC Structure (Point → Because → Wider Evidence → Counterargument)

This is the structure my A/A* students use every time.
It helps them write tightly focused, evaluative paragraphs that examiners reward.

But before PBWC…
Students need a hook question.

Use a Hook Question to Frame the Whole Essay

A hook question gives your AO3 direction and prevents “random evaluation.”

For the Cognitive Approach, you might use:

“Should we rely only on cognitive explanations to understand behaviour, or do other approaches offer equally valid insights?”

This hook creates the two sides of the discussion:

Paragraph 1 → Why cognitive explanations are useful
Paragraph 2 → Why cognitive explanations are not enough on their own

This gives your PBWC paragraphs coherence and purpose.

How to Structure AO1 (With a Connective Between Paragraphs)

Your AO1 should be:

concise
relevant
covering two cognitive assumptions/processes
around 180–200 words

✔ Suggested AO1 plan:

Paragraph 1 → Internal mental processes, inference, schemas
Connective sentence
Paragraph 2 → Theoretical/computer models, cognitive neuroscience

Here is a model connective you can include in your article:

“Another key element of the cognitive approach that builds on these assumptions is the use of theoretical and computer models to explain how information is processed.”

This gives flow and coherence marks, which AQA expects at the top band.

Free A* Example: Cognitive Approach 16-Marker

Download the full A*-standard Cognitive essay here:

👉 A* Cognitive Approach Model Essay

In the essay, you will clearly see:

AO1 explained using two paragraphs with a connective between them
A strong hook question
AO3 using PBWC
Clear links back to the hook
Balanced evaluation

Break the Essay Down With Cornell Notes (FREE)

To help you revise properly, I’ve turned both AO1 and AO3 into an organised Cornell Notes pack:

👉 Download the Cognitive Approach Cornell Notes Pack (AO1 + AO3)

It includes:

Retrieval questions
Key AO1 summaries
PBWC paragraph breakdowns
Summary boxes
A layout you can copy into your own notebook

How to Use PBWC in Your Own 16-Markers

Here’s exactly how to apply PBWC using your hook question:

PBWC Paragraph 1 → “Yes, cognitive explanations are useful.”

P – Make your point
B – Explain why
W – Support with studies (e.g., Maguire, Loftus & Palmer, Baddeley)
C – Short counterargument + link back to hook

Connector:

“However, some argue that cognitive explanations alone do not capture the full complexity of human behaviour.”

PBWC Paragraph 2 → “No, cognitive explanations alone are not enough.”

P – Make your opposing point
B – Explain why
W – Support with studies (e.g., Yuille & Cutshall, depression research, biological evidence)
C – Counterargument + link back to hook

Practise With Past Papers Using This Cycle

Here’s the routine that gets students from C/B to A/A*:

Attempt ONE real 16-marker (15–20 mins).
Compare with the A* model using PBWC.
Rewrite ONE improved PBWC paragraph.
Track your progress using the Past Paper Tracker.
Repeat weekly.

For everything in one place:

👉 Visit the AQA Psychology Past Papers Hub

Want a Clean Place to Practise PBWC?

For students who like keeping each topic separate, I’ve designed A5 Psychology notebooks dedicated to each topic.

They’re perfect for:

rewriting PBWC paragraphs
Cornell notes
AO1 summaries
16-markers
weekly revision
topic-specific organisation

👉 View the Approaches Notebook

Final Link Back to the Hook

Mastering PBWC, using your hook question, and connecting every paragraph logically is what creates the coherent, balanced essays examiners award top marks for.