Pearson Edexcel International A Level Psychology (WPS01–WPS04): syllabus, papers and marking
The 8-, 12- and 16-mark answers are marked in levels with the AO split shown, so a student sees whether marks went on knowledge, application or evaluation.
Specification Issue 6 (November 2024), applies from January 2026 · January and June series · grades A*–E
IAL Psychology: where the marks go
Edexcel IAL Psychology is four units, WPS01 to WPS04, with short answers, 8-mark questions and 12- and 16-mark extended questions. Pearson’s reports say candidates lose marks on generic strengths and weaknesses that could apply to any study, on forgetting that a variation study differs from its baseline, and on application questions that ignore the details of the scenario given.
Our papers are original, with scenarios and studies written for each question. Marking returns the level for the extended answers with the AO split shown, so a student sees whether marks went on knowledge, application or evaluation.
Paper structure and what we mark
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPS01 — Unit 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology | 1 h 30 min | 64 | 40% AS · 20% A Level | Short answers and one 8-mark question per section, then one 12-mark extended question |
| WPS02 — Unit 2: Biological Psychology, Learning Theories and Development | 2 h | 96 | 60% AS · 30% A Level | Short answers and 8-mark questions, then a 12-mark and a 16-mark extended question |
| WPS03 — Unit 3: Applications of Psychology | 1 h 30 min | 64 | 20% A Level | Developmental psychology plus criminological or health psychology; short answers and 8-mark questions |
| WPS04 — Unit 4: Clinical Psychology and Psychological Skills | 2 h | 96 | 30% A Level | Clinical short answers, a 16-mark extended question, research methods and issues and debates |
Syllabus outline
- Unit 1: social and cognitive psychology
- Unit 2: biological psychology, learning theories and development
- Unit 3: applications of psychology — developmental, plus criminological or health
- Unit 4: clinical psychology, research methods, issues and debates
How each paper is marked here
- Short answers are marked against the mark points; 8-, 12- and 16-mark answers are marked in levels with the descriptor quoted.
- The AO split is shown, so a student sees whether marks went on knowledge, application or evaluation.
- Opening soon: the level rubrics are in testing; ask to be told.
Where IAL Psychology candidates lose marks
- Generic strengths and weaknesses — A point that could be made about any study, and not tied to the study in the question, scores little.
- Baseline and variation confused — The details of a variation study, such as the letterhead or the setting, differ from the baseline and must be used.
- Explain with no justification — An evaluation point needs a reason or an example, not only the statement.
- Application that ignores the scenario — AO2 answers must use the details given; a general answer misses the marks.
- Improvement offered as a criticism — Questions asking for an improvement need a change that is made, not only a weakness named.
Sample papers, mark schemes and marked reports for IAL Psychology
See a real handwritten script marked by eight examiners at admitportfolio.com/examiners.
Questions teachers ask
- Which units are planned first?
- Unit 1 and Unit 2 first, then the applications and clinical units.
- Are the studies real?
- Questions refer to the specification’s named studies; scenarios and data are original.
- Which sitting?
- Pearson offers IAL Psychology in January and June.
- Is this official Pearson Edexcel marking?
- No. Pearson Edexcel International marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for IAL Psychology. Only you see the marking, and you decide what reaches the student.
- Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
- No. Every WPS01–WPS04 paper here is original and written to the specification issue 6 (november 2024), applies from january 2026, in the same structure as the real papers shown above.
- Which papers are marked?
- None yet are marked question by question. Practical exams sat at the centre are not marked here.
- How is the next paper chosen?
- From the marks a student lost: the concepts behind them are ranked by marks dropped, and the new paper weights those topics. It is the same syllabus and structure, with new questions.
- When are the exams?
- January and June series. Grades A*–E.
Other Pearson Edexcel International A Level courses
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Mathematics (WMA / WME / WST)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (WPH11–WPH16)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Chemistry (WCH11–WCH16)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology (WBI11–WBI16)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Economics (WEC11–WEC14)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Business (WBS11–WBS14)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Accounting (WAC11–WAC12)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Law (YLA1)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Further Mathematics (YFM01 · WFM01–WFM03 with M, S and D options)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Pure Mathematics (YPM01 · WMA11–WMA14, WFM01 and WFM02/03)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Geography (WGE01–WGE04)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level History (WHI01–WHI04)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level English Language (WEN01–WEN04)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level English Literature (WET01–WET04)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Information Technology (WIT11–WIT14)