🔴 High Priority Topics — MPC-001
These 28 topics appear in 25% or more of MPC-001 exam papers (2011–2024). Together they account for 90%+ of all exam questions. Master these topics before moving to medium or low priority.
Problem Solving (Block 4)
1. Problem Solving Strategies & Techniques
96.4% of papers | 27/28 papers | 29 questions total
The single most-tested topic in MPC-001. Every paper has at least one question on strategies, techniques, stages, or specific methods of problem solving.
Key sub-topics: Stages of problem solving, algorithms vs heuristics, specific techniques (brainstorming, analogy, means-ends analysis, working backward), trial and error
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 4 Content →
2. Blocks to Problem Solving
78.6% of papers | 22/28 papers | 22 questions
The most repeated question theme with 13 appearances. Appears as both long questions (emotional, intellectual, cultural, environmental blocks) and short notes (functional fixedness, mental set, Einstellung).
Key sub-topics: Emotional blocks, intellectual blocks, cultural blocks, environmental blocks, perceptual blocks, functional fixedness, mental set (Einstellung effect), Luchins Water Jar
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 4 Content →
3. Problem Solving — Definition & Types
50% of papers | 14/28 papers
Questions on the nature of problems, types of problems (well-defined vs ill-defined), and basic concepts in problem solving.
Key sub-topics: Nature of problems, well-defined vs ill-defined problems, problem space, operators, initial/goal states, insight problems
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 4 Content →
4. Problem Solving — Newell's Approach & AI
46.4% of papers | 13/28 papers
Consistently appears 1–2 times per paper as medium or long questions.
Key sub-topics: Newell & Simon's information processing approach, problem space hypothesis, General Problem Solver (GPS), AI in problem solving, heuristics in GPS
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 4 Content →
5. Problem Solving — Factors & Blocks
28.6% of papers | 8/28 papers
Overlaps with "Blocks" topic but focuses more on facilitating and hindering factors, individual differences in problem solving.
Study: Questions & Answers →
Creativity (Block 2)
6. Creativity — Meaning, Aspects & Stages
82.1% of papers | 23/28 papers | 24 questions
Second-highest frequency topic. Appears in almost every paper, often as a Section A long question.
Key sub-topics: Meaning and definition of creativity, 4 Ps (Person, Process, Product, Press), stages of creativity (Wallas: Preparation, Incubation, Illumination, Verification), measurement of creativity (TTCT)
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 2 Content →
7. Investment & Confluence Theory of Creativity
28.6% of papers | 8/28 papers | 8 questions — REPEATED 7 TIMES
One of the most reliably repeated long-answer topics. Sternberg & Lubart's Investment Theory is a favourite exam question.
Key sub-topics: Sternberg & Lubart's Investment Theory, "buy low sell high" in creativity, Confluence Model (Csikszentmihalyi), creative environment and resources
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 2 Content →
8. Creativity–Intelligence Relationship
32.1% of papers | 9/28 papers
Key sub-topics: Threshold theory, relationship between IQ and creativity, divergent vs convergent thinking, Guilford's contribution
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 2 Content →
Cognitive Psychology & Memory (Block 1)
9. Cognitive Psychology — History & Definition
78.6% of papers | 22/28 papers
Very frequently asked, either as a standalone question or combined with key issues.
Key sub-topics: Origins and history, Wundt's introspection, behaviourism era, cognitive revolution (Chomsky, Miller, Neisser), definition of cognitive psychology, domains of study
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 1 Content →
10. Information Processing
71.4% of papers | 20/28 papers
Core theory of cognitive psychology; asked in various forms — principles, models, learning and memory applications.
Key sub-topics: Information processing model (input-processing-output), limited capacity, serial vs parallel processing, Sternberg's information processing approach, application to learning and memory
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 1 Content →
11. Key Issues in Cognitive Psychology
42.9% of papers | 12/28 papers
Key sub-topics: Nature vs nurture, modularity, connectionism vs symbolic AI, ecological validity, reductionism, domain specificity
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 1 Content →
12. Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology
50% of papers | 14/28 papers
Key sub-topics: Experimental method, reaction time studies, cognitive neuropsychology, neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG, PET), case study method, think-aloud protocol, computational modeling
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 1 Content →
13. Memory Models
57.1% of papers | 16/28 papers — REPEATED 7 TIMES
Atkinson-Shiffrin Multi-Store Model and Waugh-Norman Primary-Secondary Memory model are both frequently asked.
Key sub-topics: Atkinson & Shiffrin Stage Model (sensory, STM, LTM), Waugh & Norman's Primary/Secondary memory model, comparison between models, evidence supporting each model
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 1 Content →
14. Memory Systems — STM, LTM, Sensory Memory
57.1% of papers | 16/28 papers — REPEATED 7 TIMES
Questions on the characteristics, types, and differences between memory systems.
Key sub-topics: Sensory memory (iconic, echoic), short-term memory (capacity — Miller's 7±2, duration — 15–30 sec), long-term memory (episodic, semantic, procedural), encoding differences
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 1 Content →
15. Neuropsychology of Learning & Memory
60.7% of papers | 17/28 papers — REPEATED 7+ TIMES
Key sub-topics: Role of hippocampus in memory consolidation, amygdala and emotional memory, cerebral cortex and long-term storage, amnesia types (anterograde/retrograde), case studies (H.M., Clive Wearing), cellular mechanisms (LTP)
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 1 Content →
16. Levels of Processing Model
25% of papers | 7/28 papers — REPEATED 6 TIMES
Reliably asked as a long question when it appears. Craik & Lockhart is a classic must-know model.
Key sub-topics: Shallow vs deep processing, phonological/semantic levels, elaborative rehearsal vs maintenance rehearsal, evidence (Hyde & Jenkins), self-reference effect, criticisms
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 1 Content →
Intelligence (Block 2)
17. PASS Theory of Intelligence
35.7% of papers | 10/28 papers — REPEATED 8 TIMES (highest among intelligence theories)
Key sub-topics: Das, Naglieri & Kirby's PASS Theory, Planning, Attention-Arousal, Simultaneous, Successive processing, PASS as extension of Luria's neuropsychological model, CAS test, significance of PASS theory
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18. Spearman's Two-Factor Theory
39.3% of papers | 11/28 papers — REPEATED 9 TIMES
Frequently asked as critical appraisal or comparison with other theories.
Key sub-topics: Spearman's g-factor and s-factors, method of tetrad differences, evidence for g-factor, criticisms by Thurstone, comparison with Thurstone's PMA
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 2 Content →
19. Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
42.9% of papers | 12/28 papers — REPEATED 6 TIMES
Key sub-topics: Gardner's 8 (now 9) intelligences, criteria for an intelligence, evidence from brain damage, criticisms, educational implications
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 2 Content →
20. Intelligence Testing & Measurement
53.6% of papers | 15/28 papers — REPEATED 8+ TIMES
Key sub-topics: Alfred Binet's contribution (1905, 1908, 1911 scales), Mental Age concept, IQ formula (Stern), Stanford-Binet Scale revisions, Wechsler Intelligence Scales (WAIS, WISC), history of intelligence measurement
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 2 Content →
21. Guilford's Structure of Intellect
28.6% of papers | 8/28 papers — REPEATED 6 TIMES
Key sub-topics: Guilford's 3D model (Operations × Contents × Products), 180+ intellectual abilities, divergent vs convergent production, creativity in Guilford's model, criticisms
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 2 Content →
22. Intelligence Theories — Factor Theories
32.1% of papers | 9/28 papers
Thurstone's Primary Mental Abilities, Cattell's Fluid/Crystallized intelligence, Vernon's Hierarchical model.
Key sub-topics: Thurstone's 7 PMA factors, Cattell's gf and gc, Vernon's hierarchical model, comparison across factor theories
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 2 Content →
23. Sternberg's Triarchic Theory
25% of papers | 7/28 papers — REPEATED 5 TIMES
Key sub-topics: Componential sub-theory (metacomponents, performance components, knowledge-acquisition components), Experiential sub-theory (novelty, automatization), Contextual sub-theory (adaptation, shaping, selection), practical intelligence
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 2 Content →
Language (Block 3 & 4)
24. Language Acquisition
60.7% of papers | 17/28 papers — REPEATED 8–10 TIMES
One of the most reliably tested language topics. Both behaviouristic AND innateness theories are frequently asked together or separately.
Key sub-topics: Behaviouristic theory (Skinner — operant conditioning), Innateness/Nativist theory (Chomsky — LAD, UG, poverty of stimulus), stages of language acquisition (babbling, holophrastic, telegraphic), second language acquisition
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 3 Content →
25. Innateness Theory of Language Acquisition
25% of papers | 7/28 papers
Chomsky's theory is frequently asked on its own as a Section A long question.
Key sub-topics: Language Acquisition Device (LAD), Universal Grammar, critical period hypothesis, arguments against behaviourism, Chomsky vs Skinner
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 3 Content →
26. Multilingualism
64.3% of papers | 18/28 papers — REPEATED 13 TIMES
Among the top 3 most-tested topics. Consistently asked in both June and December.
Key sub-topics: Definition and types of multilingualism, coordinate vs compound vs subordinate bilinguals, additive vs subtractive bilingualism, single vs dual system hypothesis, multilingualism and thinking, cognitive benefits of multilingualism, code switching
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 3 Content →
27. Language Disorders & Aphasia
50% of papers | 14/28 papers — REPEATED 7+ TIMES
Key sub-topics: Types of aphasia (Broca's, Wernicke's, Anomic, Conduction, Global), Broca's area vs Wernicke's area, acquired vs developmental language disorders, autism and SLI
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 3 Content →
28. Speech Disorders
57.1% of papers | 16/28 papers — REPEATED 8+ TIMES
Key sub-topics: Articulation disorders, fluency disorders (stuttering, cluttering), voice disorders, Apraxia of Speech, Dysarthria, Dyspraxia, developmental phonological disorders
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 3 Content →
29. Language Structure & Functions
39.3% of papers | 11/28 papers
Key sub-topics: Phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics; functions of language (expressive, conative, referential, phatic, metalinguistic, poetic)
Study: Questions & Answers → | Block 3 Content →
✅ Study Checklist
Use this to track your progress through all high-priority topics:
Block 1 — Cognitive Psychology & Memory
- Cognitive Psychology — History & Definition
- Information Processing
- Key Issues in Cognitive Psychology
- Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology
- Memory Models (Atkinson-Shiffrin & Waugh-Norman)
- Memory Systems (STM, LTM, Sensory)
- Neuropsychology of Learning & Memory
- Levels of Processing Model
Block 2 — Intelligence & Creativity
- Creativity — Meaning, Aspects & Stages
- Investment & Confluence Theory of Creativity
- Creativity–Intelligence Relationship
- PASS Theory of Intelligence
- Spearman's Two-Factor Theory
- Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
- Intelligence Testing & Measurement
- Guilford's Structure of Intellect
- Intelligence Theories — Factor Theories
- Sternberg's Triarchic Theory
Block 3 & 4 — Language & Problem Solving
- Problem Solving Strategies & Techniques
- Blocks to Problem Solving
- Problem Solving — Definition & Types
- Problem Solving — Newell's Approach & AI
- Problem Solving — Factors & Blocks
- Language Acquisition
- Innateness Theory of Language Acquisition
- Multilingualism
- Language Disorders & Aphasia
- Speech Disorders
- Language Structure & Functions