IB Psychology HL · 2021 to 2025
Unit 2: Content
192 past paper questions from 60 papers across 28 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
Starter set across the most-tested skills, with AI marking and model answers.
HL archive · 2011 to 2027
Unit 2: Content
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
- questions
- questions
- papers
- papers
- exam sessions
- exam sessions
Topics in Unit 2: Content
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
2.1
Biological approach
23% of marks · 38 questions
- RisingGenetic inheritance
- RisingChemical messengers
2.2
Cognitive approach
19% of marks · 35 questions
- RisingCognitive models
2.3
Sociocultural approach
27% of marks · 45 questions
- RisingSocial learning theory
- FadingModels of acculturation
2.4
Research methodology
31% of marks · 74 questions
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 23 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.4.1Experimental methods | ·Experimental methods, 2011: 0 questions | ·Experimental methods, 2012: 0 questions | ·Experimental methods, 2013: 0 questions | ·Experimental methods, 2014: 0 questions | ·Experimental methods, 2015: 0 questions | ·Experimental methods, 2016: 0 questions | ·Experimental methods, 2018: 0 questions | 3Experimental methods, 2019: 3 questions | 3Experimental methods, 2020: 3 questions | 2Experimental methods, 2021: 2 questions | ·Experimental methods, 2022: 0 questions | 4Experimental methods, 2023: 4 questions | 5Experimental methods, 2024: 5 questions | 7Experimental methods, 2025: 7 questions | 5Experimental methods, 2026: 5 questions | 1Experimental methods, 2027: 1 question |
| ·Genetic inheritance, 2011: 0 questions | ·Genetic inheritance, 2012: 0 questions | ·Genetic inheritance, 2013: 0 questions | ·Genetic inheritance, 2014: 0 questions | ·Genetic inheritance, 2015: 0 questions | ·Genetic inheritance, 2016: 0 questions | ·Genetic inheritance, 2018: 0 questions | ·Genetic inheritance, 2019: 0 questions | 1Genetic inheritance, 2020: 1 question | 1Genetic inheritance, 2021: 1 question | 2Genetic inheritance, 2022: 2 questions | 1Genetic inheritance, 2023: 1 question | 1Genetic inheritance, 2024: 1 question | 1Genetic inheritance, 2025: 1 question | 3Genetic inheritance, 2026: 3 questions | ·Genetic inheritance, 2027: 0 questions | |
2.4.5Self-report methods | 1Self-report methods, 2011: 1 question | 2Self-report methods, 2012: 2 questions | 2Self-report methods, 2013: 2 questions | 1Self-report methods, 2014: 1 question | 3Self-report methods, 2015: 3 questions | ·Self-report methods, 2016: 0 questions | 2Self-report methods, 2018: 2 questions | 2Self-report methods, 2019: 2 questions | 1Self-report methods, 2020: 1 question | ·Self-report methods, 2021: 0 questions | ·Self-report methods, 2022: 0 questions | 4Self-report methods, 2023: 4 questions | 3Self-report methods, 2024: 3 questions | 3Self-report methods, 2025: 3 questions | 2Self-report methods, 2026: 2 questions | 1Self-report methods, 2027: 1 question |
| ·Social identity theory, 2011: 0 questions | ·Social identity theory, 2012: 0 questions | ·Social identity theory, 2013: 0 questions | ·Social identity theory, 2014: 0 questions | ·Social identity theory, 2015: 0 questions | ·Social identity theory, 2016: 0 questions | ·Social identity theory, 2018: 0 questions | 2Social identity theory, 2019: 2 questions | 1Social identity theory, 2020: 1 question | ·Social identity theory, 2021: 0 questions | 2Social identity theory, 2022: 2 questions | ·Social identity theory, 2023: 0 questions | 1Social identity theory, 2024: 1 question | 3Social identity theory, 2025: 3 questions | 3Social identity theory, 2026: 3 questions | ·Social identity theory, 2027: 0 questions |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- RisingCognitive models· last May 26 P1 TZ1
- Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
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Questions on Unit 2: Content, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 2: Content, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Specimen 2027
7 questions across 2 papers
May 2026
21 questions across 6 papers
November 2025
13 questions across 4 papers
May 2025
19 questions across 7 papers
November 2024
7 questions across 2 papers
May 2024
11 questions across 4 papers
November 2023
6 questions across 2 papers
May 2023
13 questions across 4 papers
November 2022
4 questions across 1 paper
May 2022
11 questions across 2 papers
November 2021
4 questions across 1 paper
May 2021
13 questions across 3 papers
November 2020
9 questions across 3 papers
November 2019
6 questions across 3 papers
May 2019
11 questions across 3 papers
November 2018
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2018
1 question across 1 paper
November 2016
1 question across 1 paper
May 2016
1 question across 1 paper
November 2015
1 question across 1 paper
May 2015
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2014
1 question across 1 paper
May 2014
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2013
1 question across 1 paper
May 2013
1 question across 1 paper
November 2012
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2011
1 question across 1 paper
May 2011
1 question across 1 paper
Every Unit 2: Content question, unlocked
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Psychology HL exam sessions are covered for Unit 2: Content?
28 exam sessions from 2011 to 2027, the latest Specimen 2027. Every Paper 1, 2 and 3 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 60 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 2: Content topic comes up most?
Experimental methods (2.4.1): in 39% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZ3. Usually "Discuss", worth about 18.2 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.
What is free and what needs Pro?
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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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.
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Every subject we have classified by topic, with the same exam-pattern analysis.
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Practise Unit 2: Content the way it is examined.
Pick any unit, topic or micro-topic, see what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.