The SO Statement Secret
The Truth About High-Level Evaluation
After analysing thousands of psychology exam responses, I’ve discovered that most students lose marks not because they lack knowledge, but because they structure their evaluation paragraphs poorly. They’re working harder, not smarter.
The difference between Level 2 and Level 4 evaluation isn’t about knowing more evaluation points – it’s about structuring each point strategically to maximise marks. One well-structured paragraph can earn 4-5 marks, while multiple poorly structured points might only score 1-2 marks total.
This blog reveals the exact paragraph structure that separates A* students from the rest.
What Mark Schemes Actually Reward
After analysing every AQA Psychology mark scheme from 2015-2024, the pattern is clear: top-band responses demonstrate sophisticated reasoning through structured paragraphs that link evaluation points to broader significance.
Level 2 Response
- Multiple brief evaluation points
- Little explanation of significance
- No clear link back to the question
- Points feel disconnected and shallow
Level 4 Response
- Fewer, but fully developed evaluation points
- Clear explanation of why each point matters
- Strong links back to the original question
- Coherent, sophisticated reasoning throughout
The secret: Quality over quantity. One perfectly structured paragraph can outscore three superficial evaluation points.
The PEEL + SO Framework
This is the exact paragraph structure that consistently achieves Level 4 evaluation in AQA Psychology:
Start with a clear evaluative statement that directly addresses the question.
Strong: “One limitation of Asch’s research into conformity is its lack of temporal validity.”
Key principles:
- Use evaluative language: “strength,” “limitation,” “however”
- Be specific about what you’re evaluating
- Link to the question topic immediately
Provide specific evidence, studies, or examples that support your evaluation point.
Key principles:
- Name specific studies, researchers, or statistics
- Provide concrete details, not vague references
- Show clear knowledge of research evidence
Explain how your evidence supports your evaluative point – don’t assume it’s obvious.
Key principles:
- Explicitly connect evidence to your evaluation point
- Explain the logical reasoning
- Make the connection clear for the examiner
This is where most students fail. You must explain WHY your evaluation point matters and link back to the question.
Your SO statement should address:
- Significance: Why does this limitation/strength matter?
- Implications: What are the consequences?
- Link back: How does this affect our understanding of the topic?
- Real-world relevance: What does this mean for applications?
The Strategic Advantage
Using PEEL + SO structure transforms your evaluation efficiency:
This means you can memorise fewer evaluation points but score significantly higher marks by structuring them strategically.
Common SO Statement Patterns That Work
For Research Limitations:
- “This reduces the validity/reliability of conclusions about [topic]…”
- “This limits the generalisability to [population/context]…”
- “This undermines the practical applications for [real-world use]…”
For Research Strengths:
- “This increases confidence in [theory/explanation] because…”
- “This validates the practical importance of [research area] for…”
- “This demonstrates the real-world relevance of [findings] in…”
The Most Expensive Mistakes
- Generic SO statements: “This is important because psychology needs to be scientific” (doesn’t link to specific topic)
- Missing the “SO”: Identifying limitations without explaining why they matter
- No question link: Evaluation that could apply to any psychology topic
- Repetitive structure: Using identical paragraph structure for every evaluation point
- Weak evidence: Vague references instead of specific studies and details
Practice Scenarios
Test your understanding of PEEL + SO structure. Click the cards to reveal expert analysis!
Scenario 1: Improving a Weak Evaluation
Student writes: “Milgram’s study was unethical because he deceived participants and caused them psychological harm.”
Your task:
- Identify what’s missing from this evaluation
- Rewrite using PEEL + SO structure
Scenario 2: Creating an SO Statement
Evaluation point identified: “Research into the working memory model uses artificial laboratory tasks that lack ecological validity.”
Your task: Write a strong SO statement explaining why this limitation matters for memory research.
Scenario 3: Strategic Paragraph Planning
Question: “Evaluate research into social influence.” (16 marks – need 10 AO3 marks)
Your task: How many PEEL + SO paragraphs should you write, and what should each focus on?
The Bottom Line
PEEL + SO structure isn’t just about following a formula – it’s about demonstrating the sophisticated reasoning that examiners expect at Level 4.
Students who master this strategic approach consistently achieve higher AO3 marks with less memorisation. They work smarter, not harder.