VCE Psychology past exams 2017–2025, by year and topic

Unit 3 AOS 1 — How does the nervous system enable psychological functioning? · 16 mapped questions

Also in this areas of study: Coping strategies (approach and avoidance), context-specific effectiveness and coping flexibility — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

Unit 3 AOS 2 — How do people learn and remember? · 6 mapped questions

Also in this areas of study: Social-cognitive approaches: observational learning (attention, retention, reproduction, motivation, reinforcement) · Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and learning embedded in relationships and Country — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

Key science skills / research methods (cross-study, examinable across all AOS) · 3 mapped questions

Also in this areas of study: Validity, reliability, and sources of error/uncertainty in investigations · Ethical principles and guidelines in psychological research (informed consent, deception, withdrawal rights, confidentiality, debriefing) — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

The rest of the study design

Question-level mapping for these areas is still being verified. Every official paper covering them is in the year table above.

• Unit 4 AOS 1 — How does sleep affect mental processes and behaviour? — Sleep as an altered state of consciousness; REM and NREM sleep; measurement via EEG, EMG, EOG, sleep diaries, video monitoring · Regulation of sleep-wake patterns: circadian and ultradian rhythms, suprachiasmatic nucleus, melatonin · Changes in sleep demand and sleep architecture across the life span · Effects of partial and total sleep deprivation on affective, behavioural and cognitive functioning, compared to BAC 0.05/0.10 · Circadian rhythm sleep disorders (DSPS, ASPD, shift work) and treatment via bright light therapy · Improving sleep hygiene and zeitgebers (light, temperature, eating/drinking patterns)
• Unit 4 AOS 2 — What influences mental wellbeing? — Defining mental wellbeing: levels of functioning, resilience, social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples · Mental wellbeing as a continuum influenced by internal and external factors, illustrated via stress, anxiety and phobia · Biopsychosocial model applied to the development of specific phobia (GABA dysfunction, conditioning, cognitive bias, triggers, stigma) · Evidence-based interventions for specific phobia (benzodiazepines, breathing retraining, CBT, systematic desensitisation, psychoeducation) · Biopsychosocial protective factors for maintaining mental wellbeing (nutrition, sleep, CBT strategies, mindfulness, social support) · Cultural determinants (cultural continuity, self-determination) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing
• Unit 4 AOS 3 — How is scientific inquiry used to investigate mental processes and psychological functioning? — Student-designed scientific investigation generating primary quantitative data (assessed via SAC poster + logbook, not the written exam) · Key science skills applied across Units 3–4: aims, hypotheses, methodology/method selection, safety and ethics · Data analysis, evaluation of limitations, and drawing conclusions from generated data