Psychology · Questions (official 2027 FAQ)
FQP1 — Paper 1: teaching & assessment
Psychology · SL / HL · syllabus-mapped notes
What counts as an "example" in paper 1 section A?
An example may be a research study or a real or hypothetical situation; study details are no longer assessed.
Is there a need for an example or a study in paper 1 section C?
The rubric does not require one, but examples and research are a valuable way to support conceptual reasoning.
The guide suggests exploring only three to four concepts per context, yet all six can be combined with any area of study. What is the correct guidance?
All combinations are examinable, but not every combination should be explicitly taught; students transfer learning.
What counts as prescribed content? Is content assessed in paper 1 section C?
Prescribed content is the terminology and objectives in tables 3.1-3.3, plus the areas of study in the contexts.
In a question about human behaviour, can students use animal research and link it to human behaviour?
Yes; psychology is the study of human and animal behaviour, so both are equally acceptable.
Six concepts combined with 38 areas of study gives 228 combinations. Is this all to be taught?
No; treating the combinations as content to teach is counterproductive. The concepts are broad and transferable.
How many research studies do we need to teach?
The question is misleading; detailed study knowledge is not assessed. Only one study is ever needed to support an answer.
Can paper 1 section A be based on research methodology?
No; section A assesses content from two of the three content areas. Research methodology is assessed elsewhere.