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OxfordAQA · A Level

OxfordAQA A Level Psychology

Psychology for OxfordAQA A Level (syllabus 9685) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
9685
Board
OxfordAQA
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
OxfordAQA A Level Psychology
Spec code
9685
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 6 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-18, official OxfordAQA specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official OxfordAQA specification on 2026-08-18.

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

The qualification

OxfordAQA International AS and A-level Psychology (9685)

These qualifications use an accessible and coherent topic-based approach to offer a stimulating, effective introduction to psychology. — OxfordAQA, official syllabus page

AS units cover introductory topics in psychology and biopsychology, development and research methods; A2 adds advanced topics and research methods, and approaches and application. AS content is 50% of the A-level content but contributes 40% of the final marks (A2 the remaining 60%), with units resittable any number of times. First teaching September 2018; first AS exams May/June 2019; first A-level exams May/June 2020.

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

Assessment structure

Modular qualification

Assessment components for OxfordAQA Psychology 9685
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
AS Paper 1: AS Paper 1 -- Introductory Topics in Psychology (Memory, Social Psychology, Psychopathology) 1h 30m 90 20% Written exam
AS Paper 2: AS Paper 2 -- Biopsychology, Development and Research Methods 1 1h 30m 90 20% Written exam
A-level Paper 1: A-level Paper 1 -- Advanced Topics and Research Methods 2 (Psychology of Sleep, Schizophrenia) 1h 30m 90 30% Written exam
A-level Paper 2: A-level Paper 2 -- Approaches and Application 1h 30m 90 30% Written exam

Source: official OxfordAQA specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official live "Assessment" section: a modular qualification of four papers; AS papers each 50% of AS-level/20% of A-level, A2 papers each 30% of A-level. Units resittable any number of times, best result counts. First teaching September 2018; first AS exams May/June 2019; first A-level exams May/June 2020.

Assessment FAQs

How is OxfordAQA Psychology (9685) assessed?

OxfordAQA Psychology (9685) is assessed through: AS Paper 1 (AS Paper 1 -- Introductory Topics in Psychology (Memory, Social Psychology, Psychopathology)) — 1h 30m, 90 marks, 20% of the qualification; AS Paper 2 (AS Paper 2 -- Biopsychology, Development and Research Methods 1) — 1h 30m, 90 marks, 20% of the qualification; A-level Paper 1 (A-level Paper 1 -- Advanced Topics and Research Methods 2 (Psychology of Sleep, Schizophrenia)) — 1h 30m, 90 marks, 30% of the qualification; A-level Paper 2 (A-level Paper 2 -- Approaches and Application) — 1h 30m, 90 marks, 30% of the qualification. It is a modular qualification. Source: official OxfordAQA 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 OxfordAQA International AS and A-level Psychology (9685), for the Version 2.2 examination series, reproduced from the OxfordAQA 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 2 of 4 topics.

AS Level

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

  1. AS 1 Unit 1 – Introductory Topics in Psychology

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Memory · Social Psychology · Psychopathology

  2. AS 2 Unit 2 – Biopsychology, Development and Research Methods 1

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Biopsychology · Cognitive Development · Research Methods 1

A Level

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

  1. A 3 Unit 3 – Advanced Topics and Research Methods 2

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Psychology of Sleep · Schizophrenia · Research Methods 2

  2. A 4 Unit 4 – Approaches and Application (Synoptic)

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Approaches in Psychology · Issues and Debates · Applied Psychology: Work and the Individual

Source: OxfordAQA — official specification PDF — Version 2.2 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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