Cambridge International A Level Psychology (9990) – Topical Revision Checklist 2026

Track core areas, research methods and applications. Align with your chosen options and the latest 9990 syllabus for your exam series.

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TopicSub-TopicResourcesAssessmentsConfidence (1–5)Last ReviewedNext Review
Research methodsExperimental, quasi-experimental and observational methodsStudyQuiz
Research methodsSampling techniques and allocation to conditionsStudyQuiz
Research methodsVariables, operationalisation and controlsStudyQuiz
Research methodsDescriptive and inferential statisticsStudyQuiz
Research methodsEthics in psychological researchStudyQuiz
Research methodsPeer review, reliability and validityStudyQuiz
Biological psychologyNeurons, synaptic transmission and neurotransmittersStudyQuiz
Biological psychologyLocalisation of brain function and plasticityStudyQuiz
Biological psychologyScanning techniques and biological correlatesStudyQuiz
Biological psychologyBiological rhythms and sleepStudyQuiz
Biological psychologyStress: physiology and copingStudyQuiz
Cognitive psychologyModels of memory and forgettingStudyQuiz
Cognitive psychologyEyewitness testimony and cognitive interviewStudyQuiz
Cognitive psychologyAttention and perceptionStudyQuiz
Cognitive psychologyLanguage and thought
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Cognitive psychologyProblem-solving and decision-making
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Learning theoriesClassical and operant conditioningStudyQuiz
Learning theoriesSocial learning theoryStudyQuiz
Learning theoriesApplications to behaviour changeStudyQuiz
Learning theoriesAnimal research and ethicsStudyQuiz
Learning theoriesComparing explanations of learning
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Social psychologyConformity and obedienceStudyQuiz
Social psychologyMinority influence and social changeStudyQuiz
Social psychologyBystander behaviour and aggressionStudyQuiz
Social psychologyPrejudice and discriminationStudyQuiz
Social psychologyPro-social behaviour and attractionStudyQuiz
Psychology and abnormalityDefinitions of abnormality
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Psychology and abnormalityClassification systems and diagnosis
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Psychology and abnormalityBiological, cognitive and behavioural explanations
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Psychology and abnormalityTherapies and treatments
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Psychology and abnormalityCultural and ethical issues in mental health
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Cambridge International A Level Psychology 9990 revision checklist FAQ

Quick answers about this free revision checklist, how to use it for exam prep, and how it relates to the official syllabus.

What does the 2026 Cambridge A Level Psychology 9990 syllabus cover?

This revision checklist mirrors the official Cambridge A Level Psychology 9990 syllabus for the 2026 examination series. Every topic and sub-topic on the page is taken from the published syllabus document, so working through the list in order gives you full coverage of what your exam can assess. It is aligned to the A Level tier expectations. For the authoritative version, always cross-check with the latest syllabus PDF on your exam board's website before your final revision push.

How many topics are on the Cambridge A Level Psychology 9990 exam?

The number of top-level topic groups varies by subject, but you can see the exact count on this page — each major heading in the checklist corresponds to one syllabus topic group, and each row below it is a syllabus-level sub-topic. Use the confidence column (1–5) to flag which sub-topics need more work, and re-score yourself weekly to track real progress instead of guessing.

How long should I spend revising for Cambridge A Level Psychology 9990?

12–16 weeks of focused revision, working through one topic group per week with weekly past-paper practice, is a realistic target for most A Level students. Use this checklist to plan your weeks: filter by topics you have rated 1–3 and spend your first revision block there. Subjects with heavy practical or extended-writing components (e.g. sciences, English) need more past-paper time in the final block than the topic-by-topic phase.

What's the best order to revise Psychology topics?

Revise in roughly the order the syllabus lists the topics — exam boards build later topics on earlier ones, so taking them in syllabus order avoids gaps. Once you have rated every topic, switch to weakest-first: filter the checklist by confidence ≤ 2 and prioritise those topics in your next study block. This is more effective than re-revising topics you already score 4–5 on.

Where can I find Cambridge A Level Psychology 9990 past papers and mark schemes?

You can find past papers and mark schemes via Tutopiya's Past Paper Finder and on your exam board's official site. Once you have rated each sub-topic on this checklist, attempt past-paper questions on your weakest topics first — practising under timed conditions is the single best predictor of exam performance, more so than re-reading notes.

How do I download this revision checklist as a PDF or CSV?

Use the Download CSV or Print PDF button at the bottom of the checklist. CSV opens in Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets so you can sort by confidence and re-arrange revision order. The PDF is print-ready for offline use. A free Tutopiya account is required for download — this also unlocks the matching topic resources, notes and worked examples on the Learning Portal.

Is this Psychology revision checklist free to use?

Yes, the checklist itself is free — you can view, score and re-score every topic on this page without an account. The CSV / PDF downloads and access to matching Tutopiya Learning Portal resources require a free account. There is no payment required at any point; teachers and parents can also use this checklist freely with their students.

Does this checklist match the latest Cambridge A Level Psychology 9990 specification?

Yes. The topics and sub-topics on this page are drawn from the current 2026 Cambridge A Level Psychology 9990 specification published by Cambridge. Exam boards occasionally tweak weighting or assessment structure mid-cycle, so do a quick sanity-check against the official syllabus PDF when you start your revision and again 4 weeks before the exam.

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