Revising for Year 12 WACE Psychology in 2026? You probably need to update parts of your notes, rather than start from scratch.
The bigger syllabus rewrite began in 2024 for Year 12. SCSA describes the 2026 updates as minor changes. That makes 2024 and 2025 papers a sensible starting point, with a few details to check.
Previous years vs 2026
| Topic | 2024–2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep stages | Four NREM stages + REM | Three NREM stages + REM |
| Skinner study | 1948 reference | 1938 reference |
| Deci and Ryan | 1985 reference | 2000 reference |
| Observational learning process | Five listed steps, including reinforcement | Four: attention, retention, reproduction, motivation |
Keep this distinction: vicarious reinforcement still appears under modelling. Removing it from the process list doesn't remove it from the course.
These are selected changes. Check the full SCSA change summary for the other wording and science inquiry updates.
Which past papers are useful?
- 2024–2025: prioritise these, checking questions and marking keys against the 2026 changes.
- 2023 and earlier: pick individual questions that match today's syllabus. Don't treat an entire older paper as your revision checklist.
Find the current syllabus and past exams on SCSA's Psychology page. Select the Year 12 syllabus for 2026, rather than the 2027 version.
Make your revision active
For each designated study, practise explaining its purpose, method, findings, contribution and limitations in a few sentences. Then apply a theory to a new scenario. The syllabus expectations go beyond remembering names and dates.
Try this today: update one page of notes, answer one relevant past-paper question without your notes, and rewrite the part that lost marks.