📚 2026 Cambridge Psychology Exam Changes & Trends | 2026年剑桥心理学考试变化与趋势
The Cambridge International AS & A Level Psychology qualification (9990) is undergoing significant updates for examinations from 2024 through to 2026. For Year 12 students who will sit their final AS or full A Level exams in 2026, understanding these syllabus changes and emerging examination trends is essential. This article analyses the key modifications in core studies, assessment objectives, and paper structures, offering a clear guide to help you prepare effectively and stay ahead of the curve.
剑桥国际 AS 与 A Level 心理学（课程代码 9990）在 2024 至 2026 年的考试周期中经历了重要更新。对于将在 2026 年参加考试的 12 年级学生而言，理解这些大纲变化与考试趋势至关重要。本文将深入分析核心研究、评估目标和试卷结构等方面的主要调整，为你提供清晰的备考指南，帮助你高效准备并保持领先。
1. Overview of the New 9990 Syllabus for 2026 | 2026 年新 9990 大纲概览
The updated syllabus, first assessed in 2024 and continuing through 2026, introduces a streamlined set of core studies, refined assessment objectives, and a stronger integration of research methods with theoretical content. These changes aim to align the qualification more closely with contemporary psychological science and to reduce the emphasis on rote memorisation in favour of critical thinking and application.
更新后的大纲于 2024 年首次实施，并持续至 2026 年考试。它引入了一套精简的核心研究集合，优化了评估目标，并将研究方法与理论内容更紧密地融合在一起。这些变化旨在使该资格证书更贴近当代心理学科学，并减少对死记硬背的强调，转而重视批判性思维与实际应用。
While the overall structure remains familiar—AS Level comprises Papers 1 and 2, and A Level adds Papers 3 and 4—the content within these papers has been carefully revised. The total number of core studies has been reduced, and issues and debates are now embedded across all papers rather than being treated as a stand-alone topic. This integrated approach encourages students to think like psychologists from day one.
虽然整体结构仍为人熟知——AS 阶段由试卷一和试卷二组成，A Level 则增加试卷三和试卷四——但这些试卷中的内容已经过仔细修订。核心研究的总数有所减少，并且议题与辩论如今贯穿于所有试卷，而不再作为一个独立的主题来处理。这种融合式的设计鼓励学生从学习之初就像心理学家一样思考。
2. The Shift in Core Studies: From 20 to 16 | 核心研究的变化：从 20 项精简为 16 项
One of the most visible changes is the reduction of core studies from 20 down to 16. Under the previous syllabus, candidates had to learn 20 studies spread across four psychological approaches: cognitive, social, biological, and learning. The new syllabus now presents exactly four studies per approach, yielding 16 studies in total. AS candidates are required to learn 12 of them (three per approach), while full A Level candidates need to know all 16.
最显著的变化之一，是核心研究从 20 项减少到了 16 项。在旧大纲中，考生需要学习分布在认知、社会、生物和学习四种研究取向中的 20 项研究。新大纲现在为每种取向规定了恰好四项核心研究，总计 16 项。AS 考生需要学习其中的 12 项（每种取向选三项），而完整 A Level 考生则需掌握全部 16 项。
This reduction lightens the factual burden, but it also means that each remaining study is examined in greater depth. The studies that were removed tended to be older investigations that lacked methodological rigour or contemporary relevance. In their place, more robust and ethically sound research has been incorporated, often involving larger, more diverse samples and tighter experimental controls.
这一缩减减轻了事实记忆的负担，但同时也意味着对每项留存研究的考查会更为深入。被移除的研究大多是较为陈旧、在方法严谨性或当代相关性上有所欠缺的。取而代之的是更可靠、更符合伦理标准的研究，它们通常涉及更大规模、更多样化的样本以及更严密的实验控制。
Students should consult the official Cambridge reading list to confirm which studies are included. However, iconic experiments such as Milgram (1963) on obedience, Bandura et al. (1961) on social learning, and Loftus and Palmer (1974) on eyewitness testimony have been retained, underscoring the enduring importance of classic foundational research in psychology.
学生应当查阅剑桥官方阅读清单，以确认最终包含的具体研究。不过，诸如米尔格拉姆 (1963) 的服从实验、班杜拉等人 (1961) 的社会学习研究，以及洛夫特斯与帕尔默 (1974) 的目击证词研究等经典实验仍被保留，这凸显了经典基础研究在心理学中经久不衰的重要性。
3. Revised Content for Each Approach | 各研究取向的内容修订
Within each of the four approaches, the core studies chosen now reflect a deliberate balance between classic experiments and modern investigations. The cognitive approach continues to include memory studies, but with a shift towards those employing neuroimaging techniques, reflecting the growing influence of cognitive neuroscience. The social approach still covers obedience and conformity, yet now features studies that explore cultural variations in social influence, offering a less Western-centric perspective.
在四种研究方法取向中，所选的核心研究均有意在经典实验与现代研究之间取得平衡。认知取向仍然包含记忆研究，但转向了采用神经成像技术的研究，反映了认知神经科学日益增长的影响力。社会取向依然涵盖服从与从众内容，但现在也更侧重于探讨社会影响中的文化差异，从而提供一种不那么以西方为中心的视角。
The biological approach retains brain scanning studies, but may have replaced older, narrower hormone studies with research exploring neuroplasticity and epigenetics. In the learning approach, Bandura’s social learning theory remains central, while newer studies on operant conditioning have been introduced that utilise technology-rich experimental designs. These revisions guarantee that students engage with contemporary research methods and ethical standards.
生物取向保留了脑部扫描研究，但可能已将一些较旧的、范围较窄的荷尔蒙研究，替换为探索神经可塑性和表观遗传学的研究。在学习取向中，班杜拉的社会学习理论仍处于核心地位，同时引入了运用技术密集型实验设计的操作性条件作用新研究。这些修订确保了学生能够接触到当代的研究方法和伦理标准。
4. Assessment Objectives: Sharper Focus on Evaluation | 评估目标：更注重评价能力
The assessment objectives (AOs) have been fine-tuned for the 2024–2026 syllabus. Although AO1 (knowledge and understanding), AO2 (application), and AO3 (evaluation) are still used, the weighting has shifted slightly but significantly towards AO3 in both AS and A Level papers. This means a higher proportion of marks is now awarded for critical discussion, analysis of strengths and limitations, and comparison of different psychological perspectives.
2024 至 2026 年大纲对评估目标进行了优化。尽管仍然沿用 AO1（知识与理解）、AO2（应用）和 AO3（评价），但权重已轻微却显著地向着 AO3 倾斜，这一点在 AS 和 A Level 试卷中均有体现。这意味着现在的评分中，有更高比例的分数授予批判性讨论、对优缺点的分析以及对不同心理学观点的比较。
Questions that once asked candidates to ‘describe the study’ now frequently require them to ‘evaluate the methodology’ or ‘discuss the ethical implications’. This change rewards students who can think analytically and construct well-reasoned arguments, rather than simply recall facts. In Paper 1 at AS Level, AO3 now accounts for roughly 30% of marks, up from around 25% previously, urging deeper engagement with psychological debates from the very start of the course.
以前那些要求考生“描述该研究”的问题，现在常要求他们“评价研究方法”或“讨论伦理影响”。这一变化奖励的是能够进行分析性思考并提出论证充分观点的学生，而非仅能回忆事实的人。在 AS 阶段的试卷一中，AO3 现在约占总分的 30%，高于以往的约 25%，这促使学生从课程一开始就更深入地参与心理学辩论。
5. Changes in AS Paper Structure | AS 试卷结构变化
AS Level still consists of two papers, but their internal composition has been adjusted to reflect the new syllabus. Paper 1: Approaches, Issues and Debates is 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 60 marks. The mix of short-answer and essay questions remains, yet the essay component now frequently includes structured sub-questions that guide students step by step towards higher-level evaluation. Paper 2: Research Methods retains the same duration and mark allocation, but with an increased emphasis on study design and data interpretation.
AS 阶段仍由两份试卷构成，但其内部结构已根据新大纲作出调整。试卷一“取向、议题与辩论”时长 1 小时 30 分钟，总分 60 分。简答题与论述题的混合形式不变，但论述题部分现在通常包含结构化的子问题，逐步引导学生进行更高层次的评价。试卷二“研究方法”的时长和分值不变，但更加强调研究设计和数据解释。
A crucial difference is that issues and debates are no longer presented as a separate, stand-alone section in Paper 1. Instead, they are embedded within the questions on core studies and topics. This means students must be ready to discuss, for instance, the nature–nurture debate in the context of a specific biological study, or to evaluate free will versus determinism when answering a question on social learning theory.
一个关键区别在于，议题与辩论在试卷一中不再作为独立的、单独的部分出现。它们被嵌入到关于核心研究和主题的问题之中。这意味着学生必须做好准备，例如在回答一项生物研究时讨论天性–教养之辩，或在回答社会学习理论的问题时评价自由意志与决定论之争。
6. Changes in A Level Paper Structure | A Level 试卷结构变化
For the full A Level qualification, Papers 3 and 4 have also been updated. Paper 3: Specialist Options is a 2-hour, 80-mark paper where students choose two out of four applied options: Psychology and Abnormality, Consumer Behaviour, Health, or Organisations. Each option now features two core studies alongside key theories, providing a focused yet practical snapshot of the applied area. Students are expected to synthesise knowledge from their AS studies with these specialist studies.
对于完整的 A Level 资格而言，试卷三和试卷四也进行了更新。试卷三“特色方向”时长为 2 小时，总分 80 分，学生需从四个应用方向中任选两个：心理与异常、消费者行为、健康或组织心理学。每个方向现在包含两项核心研究和若干关键理论，提供了高度聚焦而实用的应用心理学图景。学生需要将 AS 阶段的知识与这些专题研究相整合。
Paper 4: Application assesses candidates’ ability to apply psychology to unseen real-world scenarios. The 1.5-hour, 60-mark paper has been refreshed to reflect contemporary societal issues, such as the psychology of social media, workplace well-being, and ethical consumerism. As the total number of A Level core studies has shrunk from 20 to 16, the depth of analysis required in both specialist options and the application paper has been intensified.
试卷四“应用”考查考生将心理学知识应用于未知真实情境的能力。这份时长 1.5 小时、总分 60 分的试卷经过更新，以反映当代社会议题，如社交媒体心理学、职场幸福感以及道德消费主义等。由于 A Level 核心研究总数已从 20 项缩减为 16 项，特色方向试卷和应用试卷对所要求的分析深度反而有所加强。
7. Research Methods Paper: Deeper Practical Skills | 研究方法试卷：实践技能深化
Paper 2: Research Methods remains the backbone of both AS and A Level, and the 2026 syllabus places even greater value on practical investigation skills. Candidates may be asked to formulate a testable hypothesis, identify independent and dependent variables, and design a controlled experiment from scratch, including ethical safeguards. This hands-on approach tests genuine understanding of scientific methodology rather than textbook definitions.
试卷二“研究方法”依然是 AS 和 A Level 的主干，而 2026 年大纲对实践探究技能的重视程度进一步上升。考生可能被要求提出可检验的假设、识别自变量和因变量，并从头开始设计一项包含伦理保障措施的对照实验。这种实践性考查方式检测的是对科学方法论的真正理解，而不仅仅是课本上的定义。
Data analysis questions now require competent interpretation of descriptive statistics, including mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation. Some exam items present graphs or tables, and students must draw valid conclusions. At A Level, simple inferential statistics such as
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