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IGCSE Psychology (Online Classes)

The study of psychology is a fascinating journey through the hows and whys of human behaviour.  Our engaging course will cover interesting topics such as Body Language, Prejudice, Conformity and Gender roles, to name but a few.

Each lesson of the GCSE Psychology course begins with a set of clearly stated objectives and an explanation of its place in the overall programme of study.

What You Will Learn

The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.
The aims are to enable students to develop:
• knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories and research findings
• an understanding of psychological approaches, issues and debates and research methodology
• an awareness of the scientific method and range and limitations of psychological theory and practice
• improved skills in data analysis, evaluation and drawing conclusions
• an awareness of the relationships between psychological findings and everyday life
• an understanding of ethical issues in psychology
• an appreciation and understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity

Course Content:

Cambridge International AS & A Level Psychology provides candidates with opportunities to consider the approaches, issues and debates and research methodology that underpin all aspects of psychology.
At AS Level candidates study four psychological approaches:
• Biological
• Cognitive
• Learning
• Social

The course covers the entire syllabus in nine modules:

• Introductory module

• Module One:  Memory

• Module Two: Perception

• Module Three: Development

• Module Four:  Research Methods

• Module Five:  Social Influence

• Module Six:  Language, Thought and Communication

• Module Seven: Brain and Neuropsychology

• Module Eight:  Psychological Problems

Description of components Advanced Level qualification:

Candidates take Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4. Papers 1 and 2 must be taken at the same examination series, but Papers 3 and 4 may be taken at a later examination series. Both papers 3 and 4 must be taken at the same examination series as each other

Paper 1 Approaches, issues and debates
This paper will consist of short answer and extended response questions and will be assessed by a 1 hour 30 minute examination. This paper will not have sections.
The paper will examine candidates’ knowledge of the core studies. Candidates will also be asked questions based on the four approaches and the AS Level issues and debates. The final question will examine candidates’ ability to make evaluative points about a study.

Paper 2 Research methods
This paper will consist of short answer and extended response questions and will be assessed by a 1 hour 30 minute examination. The examination paper will consist of three sections:
• Section A: six short answer questions based on general research methods and research methods  relating directly to a core study. The highest mark allocation in this section is six marks.
• Section B: three short answer scenario-based questions. Each question is divided into part questions.
The highest mark allocation in this section is four marks.
• Section C: one design-based essay question divided into two parts. There are 10 marks for part (a) and 4 marks for part (b).
The paper will examine how well candidates can use and apply their knowledge on research methods and how research methods relate to the core studies.
Cambridge International AS & A Level Psychology 9990 syllabus. Description of component Syllabus for examination in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Paper 3 Specialist options: theory
This paper contains four specialist choice options and candidates are required to answer questions from the two options they have studied.
This paper will consist of short answer and structured essay questions and will be assessed by a 1 hour 30 minute examination. There are two questions for each specialist choice option.
• Question 1: short answer question, divided into three parts. There are 2 marks for part (a), 4 marks for part (b) and 6 marks for part (c). The question will be based on one of the topic areas (a, b, c, d, e) from the chosen specialist option.

• Question 2: structured essay-based question divided into two parts. There are 8 marks for the part (a) ‘Describe’ question and 10 marks for the part (b) ‘Evaluate’ question. The question will be based on a different topic area (a, b, c, d, e) from the chosen specialist option in Question 1.
Questions will require candidates to consider approaches, research methods and issues and debates. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their ability to describe, evaluate and use examples to show the wider context of psychology.
Paper 4 Specialist options: application.
This paper contains four specialist choice options and candidates are required to answer questions from the two options they have studied.
This paper will consist of short answer, design-based and essay questions and will be assessed by a 1 hour 30 minute examination. The examination paper will consist of three sections:
• Section A: candidates answer two questions from a choice of four, based on the two specialist options
they have studied. Each question is based on stimulus material and is divided into four parts. There are 2 marks for part (a), 4 marks for part (b), 4 marks for part (c) and 5 marks for part (d).
• Section B: candidates answer one design-based question from a choice of four, based on either of the
two specialist options they have studied. The question is divided into two parts. There are 10 marks for part (a) and 8 marks for part (b).
• Section C: candidates answer one essay question from a choice of four, based on either of the two specialist options they have studied. There are 12 marks for this question. Questions will require candidates to consider approaches, research methods and issues and debates. The questions will be based on two topic areas (a, b, c, d, e) covered within the chosen specialist option. The two topic areas for each specialist option will be different to the two topic areas assessed in Paper 3.

Assessment objectives
With regards to psychological themes, theories, terminology, concepts (ideas and processes), methods, studies and practical applications, candidates should be able to:

• AO1 Knowledge and understanding Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding
• AO2 Applying knowledge and understanding Apply their knowledge to familiar and unfamiliar situations and real life and theoretical contexts
• AO3 Analysis and evaluation Analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological information, ideas and evidence

Other information

Retakes
Candidates can retake Cambridge International AS Level and Cambridge International A Level as many times as they want to. Cambridge International AS & A Levels are linear qualifications so candidates cannot re-sit individual components.
Candidates can carry forward the result of their Cambridge International AS Level assessment from one series to complete the Cambridge International A Level in a following series, subject to the rules and time  limits

Grading and reporting
Cambridge International A Level results are shown by one of the grades A*, A, B, C, D or E, indicating the standard achieved, A* being the highest and E the lowest. ‘Ungraded’ indicates that the candidate’s performance fell short of the standard required for grade E. ‘Ungraded’ will be reported on the statement of results but not on the certificate. The letters Q (result pending), X (no result) and Y (to be issued) may also appear on the statement of results but not on the certificate.

Cambridge International AS Level results are shown by one of the grades a, b, c, d or e, indicating the
standard achieved, ‘a’ being the highest and ‘e’ the lowest. ‘Ungraded’ indicates that the candidate’s performance fell short of the standard required for grade ‘e’. ‘Ungraded’ will be reported on the statement of results but not on the certificate. The letters Q (result pending), X (no result) and Y (to be issued) may also appear on the statement of results but not on the certificate.
If a candidate takes a Cambridge International A Level and fails to achieve grade E or higher, a Cambridge International AS Level grade will be awarded if both of the following apply:
• The components taken for the Cambridge International A Level by the candidate in that series included
all the components making up a Cambridge International AS Level
• The candidate’s performance on the AS Level components was sufficient to merit the award of a Cambridge International AS Level grade