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Cambridge A Level Psychology

Psychology for Cambridge A Level (syllabus 9990) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
9990
Board
Cambridge
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
Cambridge A Level Psychology
Spec code
9990
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 9 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-19, official Cambridge specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official Cambridge specification on 2026-08-19.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

Cambridge International AS & A Level Psychology (9990)

Cambridge International AS and A Level Psychology gives learners an insight into the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour, encouraging them to consider how psychology can help us understand the world. — Cambridge, official syllabus page

AS content covers four core approaches (Biological, Cognitive, Learning, Social), each built around 12 named core studies, assessed via Paper 1 (Approaches, Issues and Debates) and Paper 2 (Research Methods). A Level adds 2 of 4 specialist options (Clinical, Consumer, Health, Organisational Psychology), assessed via Paper 3 and Paper 4.

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the Cambridge syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Staged qualification

Assessment components for Cambridge Psychology 9990
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
Paper 1: Approaches, Issues and Debates 1h 30m 60 25% Written exam
Paper 2: Research Methods 1h 30m 60 25% Written exam
Paper 3: Specialist Options: Approaches, Issues and Debates 1h 30m 60 25% Written exam
Paper 4: Specialist Options: Application and Research Methods 1h 30m 60 25% Written exam

Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official PDF's "Assessment overview" (Syllabus overview, p.10-11): Paper 1 Approaches, Issues and Debates (1h30/60 marks, 50% of AS / 25% of A Level) and Paper 2 Research Methods (1h30/60 marks, 50% of AS / 25% of A Level) form the AS Level; Paper 3 Specialist Options: Approaches, Issues and Debates (1h30/60 marks, 25% of A Level only) and Paper 4 Specialist Options: Application and Research Methods (1h30/60 marks, 25% of A Level only) complete the full A Level. Weighting figures recorded here are the "% of A Level" figures (25+25+25+25=100); the AS-only route uses the separate 50%/50% figures instead, not modeled as a distinct record. All four papers externally assessed. This is the 2024-2026 syllabus edition (June/November series, also March in India); finalAssessment is set to 2026 and this record should be re-checked for a successor edition when next touched, since 2026 is its last examination year.

Assessment FAQs

How is Cambridge Psychology (9990) assessed?

Cambridge Psychology (9990) is assessed through: Paper 1 (Approaches, Issues and Debates) — 1h 30m, 60 marks, 25% of the qualification; Paper 2 (Research Methods) — 1h 30m, 60 marks, 25% of the qualification; Paper 3 (Specialist Options: Approaches, Issues and Debates) — 1h 30m, 60 marks, 25% of the qualification; Paper 4 (Specialist Options: Application and Research Methods) — 1h 30m, 60 marks, 25% of the qualification. It is a staged qualification. Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-28.

The subject

Psychology teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All Psychology at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 4 topics below are the official subject content of Cambridge International AS & A Level Psychology (9990), for the 2024-2026 examination series, reproduced from the Cambridge syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 3 of 4 topics.

AS Level

Topics 1–22. Studied in the first year, and assessed on the AS papers.

  1. AS 1 Paper 1 – Approaches, Issues and Debates

    3 Marlbridge resources

    The Biological Approach · The Cognitive Approach · The Learning Approach · The Social Approach

  2. AS 2 Paper 2 – Research Methods

    3 Marlbridge resources

A Level

Topics 23–37. Studied in addition to the AS content for the full A Level.

  1. A 3 Paper 3 – Specialist Options 1

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Clinical Psychology · Consumer Psychology · Health Psychology · Organisational Psychology

  2. A 4 Paper 4 – Specialist Options 2

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Clinical Psychology · Consumer Psychology · Health Psychology · Organisational Psychology

Source: Cambridge Assessment International Education — official syllabus PDF — 2024-2026 series. Verified 2026-08-19. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

Psychology at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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