CIE A-Level Psychology: 2026 Exam Changes and Trends | CIE A-Level 心理学：2026年考试变化与趋势

📚 CIE A-Level Psychology: 2026 Exam Changes and Trends | CIE A-Level 心理学：2026年考试变化与趋势

As the Cambridge International A-Level Psychology (9990) syllabus 2024–2026 enters its final year, students and teachers are looking closely at the 2026 examination window. While the core syllabus document remains unchanged, the steady evolution of assessment styles, emphasis on application, and the replacement of long-standing optional topics have set a new direction. This article unpacks the current syllabus structure, highlights the major shifts from the previous iteration, and analyses the emerging trends that will shape the 2026 question papers. Understanding these trends is crucial for effective preparation, whether you are sitting an AS or A-Level exam.

随着剑桥国际A-Level心理学（9990）2024–2026年考纲进入最后一年，学生和教师正密切关注2026年的考试窗口。尽管考纲文件本身没有变化，但评估风格的逐步演化、对应用的重视，以及长期存在的一些选修专题被替换，都已经指明了新的方向。本文拆解现行考纲结构，梳理上一轮考纲更替的关键变化，并分析将影响2026年试卷的新趋势。无论你参加的是AS还是A-Level考试，理解这些趋势对高效备考都至关重要。

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1. Overview of the 2024–2026 CIE A-Level Psychology Syllabus | 2024–2026 CIE A-Level 心理学大纲概览

The 9990 syllabus for 2024–2026 retains the four-paper structure familiar from previous cycles, but with important content updates. The AS Level consists of Paper 1 (Approaches, Issues and Debates) and Paper 2 (Research Methods). The full A-Level adds Paper 3 (Specialist Options: Theory) and Paper 4 (Specialist Options: Application), both requiring candidates to study two out of four offered options. The four options are: Psychology and the Consumer, Psychology and Health, Psychology and Organisations, and Psychology and the Environment.

9990 考纲在 2024–2026 年间沿用了以往熟悉的四个试卷结构，但在内容上做了重要更新。AS 阶段包括卷一（心理学取向、议题与争论）和卷二（研究方法）。完整的 A-Level 增加了卷三（专项选题：理论）和卷四（专项选题：应用），两卷都要求考生从四个专项中选学两个。这四个专项分别是：消费者心理学、健康心理学、组织心理学和环境心理学。

The assessment objectives (AOs) are weighted to reward knowledge with understanding (AO1), application (AO2), and evaluation and analysis (AO3). Across the papers, there is a clear shift in recent sessions towards higher marks allocated to AO2 and AO3, meaning rote memorisation alone will no longer secure top grades.

评估目标（AO）的权重强调对知识的理解（AO1）、应用（AO2）以及评价与分析（AO3）。从近几个考季来看，试卷中 AO2 和 AO3 的分数占比明显提高，这意味着仅靠死记硬背已无法确保高分。

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2. Key Changes from the Previous Syllabus (2021–2023) | 上版考纲 (2021–2023) 的主要变化

The most visible change is the retirement of the ‘Psychology and Abnormality’ option and its replacement with ‘Psychology and the Environment’. This shift reflects Cambridge’s desire to broaden the scope of applied psychology to include sustainability, eco-anxiety, and human–environment interaction. Alongside this, content within the retained options has been refined to include more contemporary studies and clearer links to real‑world issues.

最显著的变化是取消了“异常心理学”专项，代之以“环境心理学”。这一调整体现出剑桥扩大应用心理学范畴的意图，将可持续性、生态焦虑以及人与环境的互动纳入其中。与此同时，保留的专项内部也进行了微调，引入了更多当代研究以及与真实世界议题更清晰的关联。

Another structural change is the tightening of Paper 2 Research Methods. The 2024–2026 syllabus now explicitly includes inferential statistics tests such as the Sign test, Chi-squared, Spearman’s rank, and Mann‑Whitney U, and candidates must be able to justify choice of test, interpret p-values, and handle probability levels. Previously these were assessed more implicitly.

另一个结构性变化是卷二研究方法的要求更为严格。2024–2026 年考纲明确纳入推断统计检验，包括符号检验、卡方检验、斯皮尔曼等级相关系数和曼－惠特尼 U 检验，考生必须能够说明选择检验的理由、解释 p 值并掌握概率水平。在以往，这些内容更多是间接考察的。

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3. 2026 Examination Structure at a Glance | 2026 年考试结构一览

To understand the upcoming exam, it is helpful to see the paper structure clearly. The table below summarises the components for AS and A-Level candidates in 2026.

要了解即将到来的考试，清晰把握试卷结构很有帮助。下表概括了2026年 AS 与 A-Level 考生的考试构成。

Paper / 试卷	Duration / 时长	Marks / 分值	Weighting (AS) / 占比	Weighting (A-Level) / 占比
Paper 1: Approaches, Issues and Debates	1 h 30 min	60	50%	25%
Paper 2: Research Methods	1 h 30 min	60	50%	25%
Paper 3: Specialist Options: Theory	1 h 30 min	60	–	25%
Paper 4: Specialist Options: Application	1 h 30 min	60	–	25%

All papers are externally assessed. Paper 1 is based on one compulsory question set on a core study and a series of short‑answer and extended‑response questions. Paper 2 contains both structured data‑response and design‐based tasks. Papers 3 and 4 each require answers on the two chosen specialist options, with Paper 4 heavily focused on applying research method skills to novel scenarios.

所有试卷均为外部评估。卷一围绕一项核心研究设一道必答题，并包含一系列简答和拓展回答题。卷二包括结构化数据分析和实验设计任务。卷三和卷四各需就所选两个专项作答，其中卷四重点考察向全新情境迁移研究方法技能。

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4. Heightened Focus on Higher‑Order Thinking Skills | 对高阶思维技能的进一步强调

Examiners’ reports from 2023 and 2024 consistently highlight that top‑scoring candidates demonstrate analysis and evaluation rather than descriptive accuracy. In 2026, this trend will continue: questions will be phrased to demand discussion of strengths and weaknesses, comparison of explanations, and construction of balanced arguments. Simple ‘outline and evaluate’ prompts are increasingly accompanied by scenario‑based stems.

2023 和 2024 年的考官报告一贯指出，高分考生展现出的是分析与评价能力，而非准确描述。2026年这一趋势仍将延续：试题会要求学生讨论优点与局限、比较不同解释并构建均衡的论证。简单的“概述并评价”引导语正越来越多地配以情境化题干。

A typical Paper 1 question may now present a short case study and ask: ‘With reference to this example, discuss the cognitive approach to explaining behaviour.’ This requires integration of specific case details with theoretical knowledge, pushing candidates beyond textbook regurgitation.

如今一道典型的卷一试题可能先给出一个简短案例，然后要求：“结合此例，讨论解释行为的认知取向。”这需要将具体案例细节与理论知识结合起来，促使考生超越对教材的照搬。

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5. Research Methods Under the Spotlight | 研究方法成为考察重点

Paper 2 has become the differentiator for many candidates. From 2024 onwards, there has been a noticeable increase in questions requiring the design of a study, identification of controls, and evaluation of ethical issues. In the 2026 series, expect at least one full experimental design question where you must propose an aim, hypotheses, procedure, sampling technique, and ethical considerations from scratch.

卷二已成为拉开考生差距的关键。从2024年起，要求自行设计研究、识别控制变量并评价伦理问题的题目明显增多。在2026年的考试中，几乎可以肯定会出现至少一道完整的实验设计题，需要你从头提出研究目的、假设、程序、抽样技术和伦理考量。

Moreover, statistics questions now demand justification for the choice of inferential test based on experimental design, level of measurement, and data characteristics. You may be asked to perform a Spearman’s rank calculation and then interpret the result at a given significance level, e.g. p ≤ 0.05, using critical value tables provided in the insert.

此外，统计题现在要求根据实验设计、测量层级和数据特征说明选择推断检验的理由。你可能会被要求完成斯皮尔曼等级相关系数的计算，然后根据提供的临界值表，在给定显著性水平（如 p ≤ 0.05）下解释结果。

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6. Environment Option and the Refreshed Content | 环境心理学专项与内容更新

The introduction of Psychology and the Environment has brought fresh stimulus material into the syllabus. Topics such as environmental stress, restorative environments, and sustainable behaviour require understanding of both psychological theories and current global concerns. Exam questions in this option will likely embed issues like climate anxiety and pro‑environmental intervention programmes.

环境心理学专项的引入为考纲带来了新的启发素材。环境压力、恢复性环境、可持续行为等话题，既要求学生理解心理学理论，也要求其关注当下的全球关切。该专项的考题很可能会嵌入气候焦虑和环保干预项目等议题。

For teachers and students transitioning from the old abnormality option, the change is particularly sharp because the emphasis shifts from clinical models to ecopsychological frameworks. Make sure you explore studies like Ulrich’s (1984) view through a window and the Attention Restoration Theory by Kaplan, while also being ready to evaluate methodological limitations of field research in natural settings.

对于从旧版异常心理学专项过渡过来的师生来说，这一变化尤为显著，因为重点从临床模型转向了生态心理学框架。务必深入探究诸如 Ulrich (1984) 的窗景研究以及 Kaplan 的注意力恢复理论，同时也要准备好评价自然场景中现场研究的方法论局限。

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7. Application of Psychology in Paper 4 | 卷四中心理学的应用

Paper 4 has evolved from a less predictable paper into a rigorous test of applied research skills. The 2026 sitting will continue to present unseen scenarios related to the chosen options and ask candidates to suggest a practical investigation, analyse data, or propose evidence‑based interventions. You must be fluent in transferring concepts from Paper 2 and Paper 3 to novel problems.

卷四已从以往相对难以预测的考试，演变为对应用研究技能的严格检验。2026 年考季将继续呈现与所选专项相关的陌生情境，并要求考生提出一项实际调查、分析数据或建议基于证据的干预措施。你必须能够熟练地将卷二和卷三中学到的概念迁移到全新问题中去。

A common pitfall is writing purely theoretical essays in Paper 4; the command words ‘design’, ‘suggest’, ‘recommend’ and ‘calculate’ signal that marks belong to application, not recitation. Practice moving between theory and practice, for instance by taking a health‑psychology concept like ‘adherence to medical regimes’ and designing a questionnaire‑based study to measure it.

一个常见的陷阱是在卷四中写出纯理论性的文章；而“设计”、“提议”、“建议”、“计算”等指令词表明，分值属于应用而非复述。要通过反复练习打通理论与实践的通道，比如拿“坚持医疗方案”这样一个健康心理学概念，设计一份基于问卷的测量研究。

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8. Integration of Issues and Debates Across All Papers | 议题与争论在所有试卷中的整合

The themes of issues and debates—nature versus nurture, individual versus situational explanations, ethical implications, cultural bias, and determinism—are no longer confined to Paper 1. Mark schemes for Papers 3 and 4 routinely reward evaluative comments that link specialist content to overarching debates. In the 2026 papers, you can anticipate marks explicitly allocated for discussing, for instance, the reductionist nature of an environmental stress model or the ethnocentrism in consumer‑behaviour studies.

议题与争论的主题，诸如天生与教养、个人与情境解释、伦理影响、文化偏见和决定论，不再局限于卷一。卷三与卷四的评分方案通常会对将专项内容与更广泛争论联系起来的评价性论述给予奖励。在 2026 年的试卷中，可以预见会明确分派分数来讨论，例如，某个环境压力模型的还原论倾向，或消费者行为研究中的种族中心主义。

This integration rewards holistic understanding. When revising any topic, ask yourself: ‘How does this theory reflect the nature side of the debate?’ or ‘What ethical concerns arise when applying this finding to public policy?’

这种整合奖励的是整体性理解。复习任何专题时，不妨问自己：“这一理论如何体现‘天生’的一面？”或“将这一发现应用于公共政策时会引发哪些伦理关切？”

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9. Command Words and Mark Allocation Patterns | 指令词与分值分配规律

Examiners have become more precise with command words. ‘Describe’ (AO1) demands accurate recounting, ‘Explain’ requires causal links, and ‘Evaluate’ demands a judgement with supporting arguments. In many 8‑mark or 10‑mark questions, marks are split between AO1 and AO3, so a top answer must include both knowledge and a clear strand of evaluation.

考官对指令词的使用变得更加精确。“描述”（AO1）要求准确陈述，“解释”要求建立因果联系，“评价”则要求做出判断并提供论据支撑。在许多 8 分或 10 分的题目中，分数被拆分为 AO1 和 AO3，因此一份优秀答案必须同时包含知识内容和一条清晰的评价脉络。

Furthermore, 2026 papers are likely to continue the pattern where small sub‑questions build towards a larger integrative question. For example, a Paper 3 question might first ask you to outline a core study, then describe the sampling method, and finally evaluate the generalisability of the findings—testing all three AOs in a connected narrative.

此外，2026 年试卷极有可能延续由小问到大问逐步递进的模式。例如，卷三可能先让你概述一项核心研究，再描述抽样方法，最后评价研究结果的推广性——在一个连贯的叙述中考察全部三个评估目标。

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10. Emerging Predictive Trends for the 2026 Question Papers | 2026 年试卷的新兴预测趋势

Based on the pattern of recent exam series and the maturity of the 2024–2026 syllabus, several trends can be anticipated. Paper 1 will continue to feature a compulsory core‑study question, with an increasing likelihood that the chosen study will be drawn from cognitive or biological approaches, given their rich experimental detail and measurement concepts.

基于近期考季的模式和 2024–2026 年考纲的成熟度，可以预见若干趋势。卷一仍将以一道核心研究必答题为特征，且由于认知取向和生物取向具有丰富的实验细节和测量概念，这一核心研究越来越可能从中选取。

In Paper 2, the design question will likely ask for a quasi‑experiment or an observation, moving beyond simple lab experiments. This demands understanding of naturalistic observation, coding schemes, and inter‑rater reliability. Additionally, graphs and descriptive statistics like measures of central tendency and dispersion will be tested, often embedded in a data‑response exercise.

在卷二，设计题很可能要求拟议一个准实验或观察，超越简单的实验室实验。这需要理解自然观察、编码方案和评分者信度。此外，图表以及集中量数和离差量数等描述统计也可能出现在数据分析大题中。

Paper 3 will ask for depth within each specialist option. Instead of surface coverage, expect questions that compare two theories within the same specialism or examine methodological issues across studies. Paper 4 will emphasise real‑world interventions: you may be shown a newspaper extract about an organisational issue and asked to design a psychological intervention underpinned by a named theory.

卷三会要求深入每个专项的内部。不是追求广度式的罗列，而是可能出现比较同一专项内的两个理论、或考察不同研究之间方法论问题的题目。卷四则将强调现实世界的干预：可能会给你一则关于组织问题的报纸摘录，要求你依据某一指定理论设计心理干预。

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11. Study Strategies for the Final Year of the Syllabus | 考纲最后一年的学习策略

Because 2026 is the third year of this syllabus, there is a wealth of past papers and examiner reports to guide revision. Use them strategically: start with the most recent papers to internalise the current style, then work backwards to build breadth. Annotate mark schemes to identify where AO2 and AO3 marks are being awarded.

由于 2026 年已是当前考纲的第三年，有充足的历年真题和考官报告可供复习参考。要策略性地使用它们：从最近的试卷入手，内化现行风格，然后再往前做以拓展广度。对评分方案进行批注，找出 AO2 和 AO3 分数究竟落在哪里。

Active revision for this syllabus means creating topic‑by‑topic comparison charts, designing mock study proposals, and writing timed evaluation paragraphs. Pair each core theory with a ‘PEEL’ (Point, Evidence, Evaluation, Link) paragraph structure to embed evaluation naturally. For Paper 2, practise calculations until they are automatic, and always justify why a particular test is appropriate for the given data.

针对本考纲的主动复习，意味着要制作逐专题的比较图表、设计模拟研究提案、并限时撰写评价段落。为每个核心理论配上一个 PEEL（观点、证据、评价、联系）段落结构，以自然嵌入评价。对卷二而言，要反复练习计算直至熟练，并始终说明为何所选检验最适合给定数据。

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12. Looking Ahead: What 2026 Tells Us About the Next Syllabus | 展望未来：2026 年对下一版考纲的启示

While 2026 is the final assessment under the current 9990 syllabus, it offers clear signals about Cambridge’s direction. The greater emphasis on environment psychology, inferential statistics, and practical application is unlikely to be reversed. Teachers and future cohorts can expect the next syllabus (likely from 2027) to further embed research literacy, digital methods, and perhaps even open‑science principles.

虽然 2026 年是现行 9990 考纲的最后一次评估，但它提供了剑桥发展方向的清晰信号。对环境心理学、推断统计和实际应用的进一步重视几乎不可能逆转。教师和未来的学生可以预期下一版考纲（很可能从 2027 年起）将进一步融入研究素养、数字化方法，甚至可能包含开放科学原则。

For students sitting exams in 2026, the priority is to master the current syllabus while tuning into the evaluative and applied demands that have become the norm. Those who can think like a researcher, question evidence, and propose solutions will excel in the final chapter of this syllabus.

对 2026 年参加考试的学生来说，首要任务是掌握现行考纲，同时适应已成为常态的评价性与应用性要求。那些能像研究者一样思考、善于质疑证据并能提出解决方案的人，将在这版考纲的最后一章中脱颖而出。

Published by TutorHao | Psychology Revision Series | aleveler.com

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