IB Psychology HL · 2021 to 2025
Unit 2: Content
99 past paper questions from 26 papers across 9 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 · 2021 to 2025
Unit 2: Content
Latest exam session: May 2025
- questions
- 99
- questions
- papers
- 26
- papers
- exam sessions
- 9
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 20
Topics in Unit 2: Content
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
2.1
Biological approach
28% of marks381 of the 1373 marks across the 33 Psychology HL papers analysed (28%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 25 questions
- DueChemical messengers
- RisingAnimal research and animal models
2.2
Cognitive approach
21% of marks284 of the 1373 marks across the 33 Psychology HL papers analysed (21%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 20 questions
- DueCognitive load theory
- RisingCognitive models
2.3
Sociocultural approach
28% of marks390 of the 1373 marks across the 33 Psychology HL papers analysed (28%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 26 questions
- RisingSocial identity theory
2.4
Research methodology
23% of marks318 of the 1373 marks across the 33 Psychology HL papers analysed (23%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 28 questions
- RisingObservational methods
- RisingSampling techniques
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 20 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.4.1Experimental methods | 2Experimental methods, 2021: 2 questions | ·Experimental methods, 2022: 0 questions | 6Experimental methods, 2023: 6 questions | 6Experimental methods, 2024: 6 questions | 4Experimental methods, 2025: 4 questions |
| 3Models of acculturation, 2021: 3 questions | ·Models of acculturation, 2022: 0 questions | 2Models of acculturation, 2023: 2 questions | 3Models of acculturation, 2024: 3 questions | 1Models of acculturation, 2025: 1 question | |
| ·Cognitive models, 2021: 0 questions | 2Cognitive models, 2022: 2 questions | ·Cognitive models, 2023: 0 questions | 1Cognitive models, 2024: 1 question | 2Cognitive models, 2025: 2 questions | |
| 1Animal research and animal models, 2021: 1 question | ·Animal research and animal models, 2022: 0 questions | 1Animal research and animal models, 2023: 1 question | ·Animal research and animal models, 2024: 0 questions | 3Animal research and animal models, 2025: 3 questions |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueCognitive load theory· last Nov 23 P1
- Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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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.
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
14 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
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?
9 exam sessions from 2021 to 2025, the latest May 2025. Every Paper 1, 2 and 3 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 26 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 2: Content topic comes up most?
Experimental methods (2.4.1): in 55% of papers, last seen May 25 P3. Usually "discuss", worth about 16 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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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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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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Every subject we have classified by topic, with the same exam-pattern analysis.
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