PAPER 2 PREDICTIONS 2025

Summary

In this video, the presenter shares their predictions for AQA Paper 2 2025, focusing on 16-marker topics based on previous years' exams. Key topics include approaches like social learning theory, cognitive and biological approaches, and the psychodynamic approach, which they suggest might appear as 16-markers. The presenter also covers potential areas in biological rhythms, research methods, and ethical topics, emphasizing the unpredictability of the exam while advising extensive revision across all areas. They stress understanding rather than memorization, highlighting trends in recent AQA exams.

Takeaways

• 😀 Predictions are based on past AQA AS and A-level papers, primarily focusing on 16-mark essays with some 8-mark topics.
• 😀 AQA can always surprise with their choices, so revising everything is essential, despite the predictions.
• 😀 The origins of psychology (Wilhelm Wundt, emergence as a science) hasn't appeared since 2019 and might be assessed soon as AQA runs out of time to test it.
• 😀 Social learning theory, despite being part of a comparison essay last year, has never been assessed as a 16-marker, making it a potential focus.
• 😀 The cognitive approach has only appeared at AS level and is long overdue for an assessment at A-level.
• 😀 The psychodynamic approach has not been tested as an essay yet, making it a top pick for this year's essay predictions.
• 😀 Biological rhythms, especially research on circadian rhythms, may be tested for the first time as an extended 16-marker in AQA papers.
• 😀 The fight or flight response, though unlikely as a 16-marker, could appear as an 8-marker, so it’s worth reviewing.
• 😀 Research methods are hard to predict, but designer study questions are a common occurrence, so reviewing those is advisable.
• 😀 AQA seems to be moving towards testing understanding over pure knowledge, emphasizing explanations of concepts in context.
• 😀 Keep in mind that many research methods questions are linked, so understanding the context and continuity between questions is crucial.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of this video?

The main purpose of the video is to provide predictions for topics that may appear in Paper 2 of the 2025 psychology exam, based on past trends in AS and A-level papers.

How are the predictions in the video made?

The predictions are made by analyzing patterns from previous exam papers across both AS and A-level psychology, particularly focusing on 16-mark questions, with some consideration of 8-mark questions.

Which topic is predicted to be a likely essay choice for Paper 2 this year?

The psychodynamic approach is predicted to be a likely essay topic, as it has not been assessed as a 16-mark question yet.

Why is the psychodynamic approach considered a top prediction for the exam?

The psychodynamic approach is considered a top prediction because it has rarely been tested as a 16-marker, despite appearing in shorter questions in the past, such as a 6-marker in 2022 and a 4-marker last year.

Which biological psychology topics are mentioned as potential essay topics?

Biological rhythms, especially circadian rhythms, and hemispheric lateralization and split-brain research are mentioned as potential essay topics. The speaker suggests that biological rhythms may be the most likely essay topic.

What does the speaker predict about the return of designer study questions in the 2025 exam?

The speaker predicts that designer study questions may return after a two-year absence, possibly in a different format, such as being split into smaller questions rather than one extended question.

What advice does the speaker offer regarding research methods in the exam?

The speaker advises students to revise all areas of research methods, as they are all fair game. However, it is particularly important to focus on topics like experimental design, statistical tests, data analysis, and ethics, as they frequently appear in the exam.

Why does the speaker mention the 'rogue' prediction of the fight or flight response?

The speaker refers to the fight or flight response as a 'rogue' prediction because, while it has not been a major essay topic recently, it is still part of the syllabus, and AQA might choose to include it, even though it might be an 8-marker rather than a 16-marker.

How does AQA's shift in focus affect the nature of the questions in recent exams?

AQA appears to be moving towards assessing students' understanding rather than just their knowledge. This could involve asking students to explain the reasoning behind certain methods or how to improve a research study, rather than just recalling facts.

What should students focus on when revising research methods for the exam?

Students should focus on understanding how to apply research methods, such as explaining the purpose of statistical tests, how to improve research designs, and understanding topics like validity and reliability. The speaker advises students to think about 'why' certain techniques are used, rather than just 'what' they are.