If you memorise every theory, definition, and study but still struggle to score high marks in those 16 or 8 mark questions, the problem might not be your knowledge — it’s your evaluation.
In AQA Psychology, AO3 (evaluation) is the skill that separates strong students from top performers, it makes up 33% of your final grade and most students do not know how to effectively use it.
How Much A03 Is Worth
- 16-mark questions: 6 or 10 marks for AO3 (if a STEM is present its 6 marks, if absent its 10 marks)
- 8-mark questions: 3 or 5 marks for AO3 (if a STEM is present its 3 marks, if absent its 5 marks)
- 6-mark questions: often 3 marks for AO3
You could know every theory — but without strong evaluation, your top grade will always be out of reach
Why AO3 Matters More Than You Think
Many students write basic points like “this study is unethical” or “this theory is reductionist.” The problem? These kinds of comments don’t go far enough.
To hit the top bands in 8- and 16-mark questions, you need to evaluate with depth, structure, and precision. That’s where the 3-Level AO3 Strategy comes in — a system designed to help you move from vague to powerful in every single essay paragraph.
The 3 Levels of AO3 Evaluation
Level 1: Study-Specific Strengths and Limitations
This is your foundation. It involves evaluating the method, sample, procedure, or findings of a named study. But here’s the key: don’t stop at stating a flaw. Always finish with a “SO” statement that explains why it matters.
For Example:
Milgram’s study lacks ecological validity due to its artificial lab setting and fake shock machine.
SO: This means the findings may not generalise to real-world settings such as hospitals or military contexts, reducing the external validity of the obedience explanation.
This final “SO” sentence is what elevates your answer — it shows the examiner that you understand why your point is important.
Level 2: Broader Methodological and Conceptual Issues
At this level, you zoom out. Rather than focusing on a single study, you identify common issues across research or theories.
These might include:
- Cultural bias
- Gender bias
- Determinism vs free will
- Ethical concerns
- Reductionism vs holism
- Low mundane realism across an area of research
For Example:
Most conformity research uses artificial tasks, such as judging line lengths, which lack everyday relevance.
SO: This weakens the applicability of findings to real-life scenarios such as peer pressure or social compliance in school or workplace settings where there are likely higher stakes.
Level 3: Real-World Applications and Theoretical Implications
This is where you impress the examiner. At Level 3, you discuss how research or theory affects the real world, connects with contemporary issues, or contributes to wider psychological understanding.
Focus on:
- The practical application of a theory (e.g., therapy, education, policy)
- The theory’s relevance to modern society
- How it links to debates or other approaches
For Example:
Milgram’s research has informed professional codes of ethics and our understanding of authority dynamics in institutions.
SO: This shows how obedience research has influenced the way healthcare and military organisations train staff, proving the practical importance of psychological research.
How to Structure AO3 Paragraphs: The PEEL + SO Method
To ensure clarity and coherence, structure every AO3 paragraph like this:
- Point – Make your evaluative claim.
- Evidence – Provide supporting detail or study.
- Explain – Unpack why it’s relevant.
- Link – Connect back to the question.
- Then finish with a strong SO statement.
For Example:
One limitation of Asch’s research is its lack of temporal validity. His study was conducted in 1950s America during a period of strong conformity linked to McCarthyism. Perrin and Spencer (1980) replicated the study using British engineering students and found far lower conformity rates.
SO: This suggests that the original findings may be historically bound and cannot be generalised to contemporary or cross-cultural settings, limiting their usefulness in explaining conformity today.
If you include 3-4 of these paragraphs in a 16-mark question you are likely to score in the top bands for A03.
| Question Type | Evaluation Marks | Top Strategy |
| 8 Marker (Outline and evaluate one explanation of conformity) | 5 A03 Marks | 2 full A03 paragraphs, including PEEL and SO |
| 16 Marker (Discuss research into conformity) | 10 A03 Marks | 3-4 A03 paragraphs,including PEEL, SO and at least 1 real-world application! |