How to Revise for GCSE Psychology

Revising for your GCSE Psychology exam can feel a bit daunting, especially with all the key studies, theories, and research methods you need to master. It might seem like a lot, but don’t worry—there are ways to make your revision more effective and even enjoyable!

As a Psychology teacher with over 10 years of experience, I’m here to share some tried-and-tested revision tips on how to revise for GCSE Psychology. With a good plan, you’ll be ready to walk into your exams feeling prepared and confident.

1. Know your specification

Your GCSE Psychology specification (whether it’s AQA, Edexcel or OCR) is your best friend. It outlines exactly what you need to know for each exam paper—from topics like Memory and Social Influence to Research Methods and Brain & Neuropsychology.

Think of the specification as a checklist that keeps you on track. It shows how each topic fits into the bigger picture, helping you focus on what the examiners expect you to learn.

Top Tip: Many students find it helpful to look through the specification at the start of their revision. Highlight areas you find tricky, then tackle them first. This approach helps you use your study time effectively and ensures you don’t miss any key points.

Personal learning checklist for memory

Alt-text: How to revise Psychology GCSE

2. Master key terms and concepts

Psychology has a unique language. Key terms like independent variable, schema, cerebellum, or excitation can come up in your exams. Knowing definitions and concepts such as these inside out is essential because:

• They help you understand important areas of psychology

• You’ll often need to use or define them in short-answer and extended responses

• Examiners reward precise, correct terminology

Top Tips: Review your exam specification, as exam boards clearly state the key terms and concepts you may need to define. Our GCSE Psychology glossary can help you understand and define key terms accurately. 

Find a strategy that helps you learn key terms, such as:

• Glossary Notebook: Keep a small notebook of important words. Update it regularly

• DIY Quizzes: Create multiple-choice or matching exercises to test yourself

• Flashcards: Write the term on one side and the definition on the other. Over time, add extra details like examples or related studies.

• Mind Maps: For bigger concepts (e.g., obedience, memory stores, development), make a visual map of the key ideas, strengths/weaknesses, and any relevant psychologists

3. Know your named studies 

There are many studies you will encounter in GCSE Psychology. It is important to know the ones named in the specification, such as Gilchrist & Nesberg’s study of motivation on perception or Milgram’s obedience experiment. Referring to relevant research shows that you understand the evidence behind theories. It also helps you evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.

Top Tip: Compile a summary of all the key studies or theories your exam board requires. Exam board specifications list the ones you could be asked about explicitly. Create revision grids or mind maps for each study, including:

• The aim and method of the research

• The results and conclusions

• Any criticisms (ethical, methodological, or theoretical)

Having these summaries at hand makes it easier to recall details during the exam. Below is an example:

4. Know your learning style

Everyone learns differently, so it is helpful to identify your preferred learning style early on. Try out different revision techniques until you find the one that works for you

Below are a few ideas to help you get started:

• Visual learners: Use mind maps, diagrams, and colour-coding

  • These are especially helpful for revising concepts such as the multi-store model of memory

• Auditory learners: Record yourself summarising topics on your phone or watch videos on the topics that you are revising

  • Teaching others helps you understand the content you are learning

• Kinaesthetic learners: Create physical models or carry out experiments

  • Practical experience is especially important for understanding research methods content in GCSE Psychology

5. Know your assessment objectives and command words

In GCSE Psychology, Assessment Objectives (AOs) guide how you’re marked. It is important to know what the following AOs mean:

• AO1: Knowledge and understanding

• AO2: Application to scenarios

• AO3: Analysis and evaluation

Likewise, command words (e.g., explain, outline, or evaluate) tell you exactly what examiners want. It is important to know which AOs the command words are assessing and structure your answers to fit. For example, if the question says “evaluate,” you need strengths, weaknesses, and a justified conclusion.

Top Tip: Ensure that you are familiar with the AOs and command words. Knowing them means you’ll focus your answers correctly, which helps you save time and avoid missing marks.

6. Know your exam papers

Go through past papers to understand the structure of the questions and the types of tasks you might face. Whether it’s multiple-choice, short-answer, or an extended response, each question format tests a different skill.

• Practice under timed conditions to get used to working quickly yet accurately

• Review mark schemes to see how marks are awarded and what excellent answers look like

• Use examiners’ reports to learn from common mistakes made by past students

Top Tip: When practicing past papers, set a timer. This will help you build good time management skills so you can finish all the questions within the time limit on exam day.

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Explore our GCSE Psychology resources to kick-start your journey to exam success.

References

AQA (2021) GCSE Psychology Specification (8182), Version 1.1: https://cdn.sanity.io/files/p28bar15/green/a1264fbdd0f9ec6d8d1c4d2c0008d32e83fd3f8b.pdf  Accessed 28th March 2025

OCR (2024) GCSE (9-1) Psychology Specification (J203), Version 1.6: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/309306-specification-accredited-gcse-psychology-j203.pdf Accessed 28th March 2025

Pearson Edexcel (2016) GCSE (9-1) Psychology Specification (1PS0), Issue 1: https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Psychology/2017/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/GCSE-Psychology-draft-specification.pdf  Accessed 28th March 2025