Psychology Mock Results – How to Improve Your Grade
Got Your Psychology Mock Results? Here’s How to Use Them Properly
Mocks can feel intense — especially when the results aren’t what you hoped for. But in AQA Psychology, mock exams are one of the most useful tools you’ll get before the real thing.
What matters most isn’t the grade itself, but what you do next.
Step 1: Don’t Panic About the Grade
Mocks are not predictions. They are practice.
Many students improve by one or even two grades between mocks and the final exam because they use the feedback properly. A lower-than-expected mark doesn’t mean you “can’t do psychology” — it usually means:
Exam technique needs work
Key terms weren’t used precisely enough
Evaluation lacked structure
Time management went wrong
All of these are fixable.
Step 2: Break Down Your Paper (Not Just the Score)
Instead of focusing on the total mark, look at where marks were lost.
Ask yourself:
Did I miss AO1 knowledge (definitions, key studies)?
Was my AO3 evaluation too vague or repetitive?
Did I answer the question asked, or just everything I knew?
Did I run out of time?
Highlight patterns. One weak area repeated across questions is more important than one bad answer.
Step 3: Use AQA Mark Schemes Strategically
AQA mark schemes reward specific phrases and clear structure, not long essays.
Try this:
Rewrite one weak answer using the mark scheme
Add key terms you missed
Practice writing short, accurate paragraphs rather than long ones
For 16-mark questions, focus on:
Clear AO1 paragraphs
Distinct AO3 points (don’t repeat the same criticism)
Linking evaluation back to the question
Step 4: Turn Feedback into a Simple Action Plan
You don’t need to “revise everything”.
Choose three specific targets, for example:
Learn definitions for all key terms in Social Influence
Improve evaluation by using PEEL paragraphs
Practice 16-markers under timed conditions once a week
Small, focused improvements lead to big gains.
Step 5: Remember — Psychology Is a Skill Subject
Psychology isn’t just about memory. It’s about:
Applying knowledge
Using the right terminology
Writing like the examiner expects
That means your grade can improve quickly once technique clicks.
Mocks show you how the exam works, not how capable you are