IB Psychology HL · 2021 to 2025
Psychology HL Paper 3
25 past paper questions from 5 papers across 5 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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HL archive · 2023 to 2025
Paper 3
Latest exam session: May 2025
- questions
- 25
- questions
- papers
- 5
- papers
- exam sessions
- 5
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 6
Where Paper 3 marks go, by unit
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
Unit 1
Concepts
63% of marks75 of the 120 marks across the 33 Psychology HL papers analysed (63%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 10 questions
- RisingEthical treatment of participants
Unit 2
Content
38% of marks45 of the 120 marks across the 33 Psychology HL papers analysed (38%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 15 questions
- RisingExperimental methods
- RisingObservational methods
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 6 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ·Observational methods, 2021: 0 questions | ·Observational methods, 2022: 0 questions | 2Observational methods, 2023: 2 questions | 2Observational methods, 2024: 2 questions | 1Observational methods, 2025: 1 question | |
| ·Sampling techniques, 2021: 0 questions | ·Sampling techniques, 2022: 0 questions | 2Sampling techniques, 2023: 2 questions | 2Sampling techniques, 2024: 2 questions | 1Sampling techniques, 2025: 1 question | |
| ·Experimental methods, 2021: 0 questions | ·Experimental methods, 2022: 0 questions | 2Experimental methods, 2023: 2 questions | 2Experimental methods, 2024: 2 questions | 1Experimental methods, 2025: 1 question | |
| ·Ethical treatment of participants, 2021: 0 questions | ·Ethical treatment of participants, 2022: 0 questions | 2Ethical treatment of participants, 2023: 2 questions | 2Ethical treatment of participants, 2024: 2 questions | 1Ethical treatment of participants, 2025: 1 question |
2 more micro-topics with a free account
- Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
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Every micro-topic in the heatmap and the complete watch list, free with an account.
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Questions on Paper 3, by exam session
Which papers asked about Paper 3, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Every Paper 3 question, unlocked
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Psychology HL exam sessions are covered for Paper 3?
9 exam sessions from 2023 to 2025, the latest May 2025. Every Paper 3 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 5 papers in this archive.
Which Paper 3 topic comes up most?
Observational methods (2.4.2): in 15% of papers, last seen May 25 P3. Usually "identify", worth about 3 marks in a paper that includes it.
Can I see the original question and mark scheme?
No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.
What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?
Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.
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Reading this page and the exam pattern is free. A free account generates three sets of ten questions and launches one practice set. Pro opens every question in any scope, sets of twenty or all, and unlimited practice.
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More Psychology HL exam preparation
Every question, by paper
What each Psychology HL paper tests across all its sittings: the marks by unit and the micro-topics it keeps coming back to.
Open the paper analysis
Predicted questions
The question types most likely in the next Psychology HL sitting, built from this same archive.
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Formula booklet, explained
Every formula you are given in the exam, with when to use it and the traps around it.
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Mock exams
Full Psychology HL papers under timed conditions, marked by AI against IB criteria.
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All IB past papers
Every subject we have classified by topic, with the same exam-pattern analysis.
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