IB Psychology SL · 2021 to 2025
Psychology SL Paper 1
90 past paper questions from 15 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.
By paper:Paper 1Paper 2All papers
SL archive · 2021 to 2025
Paper 1
Latest exam session: May 2025
- questions
- 90
- questions
- papers
- 15
- papers
- exam sessions
- 9
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 19
Where Paper 1 marks go, by unit
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
Unit 1
Concepts
10% of marks137 of the 1395 marks across the 24 Psychology SL papers analysed (10%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 questions
Unit 2
Content
79% of marks1108 of the 1395 marks across the 24 Psychology SL papers analysed (79%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 74 questions
- DueChemical messengers
- DueExperimental methods
Unit 3
Contexts
11% of marks150 of the 1395 marks across the 24 Psychology SL papers analysed (11%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 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 19 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ·Social identity theory, 2021: 0 questions | 2Social identity theory, 2022: 2 questions | 2Social identity theory, 2023: 2 questions | 2Social identity theory, 2024: 2 questions | 2Social identity theory, 2025: 2 questions | |
| 1Cognitive processes: memory, 2021: 1 question | 2Cognitive processes: memory, 2022: 2 questions | 2Cognitive processes: memory, 2023: 2 questions | 1Cognitive processes: memory, 2024: 1 question | 2Cognitive processes: memory, 2025: 2 questions | |
| 2Ethical treatment of participants, 2021: 2 questions | 1Ethical treatment of participants, 2022: 1 question | 1Ethical treatment of participants, 2023: 1 question | 1Ethical treatment of participants, 2024: 1 question | 2Ethical treatment of participants, 2025: 2 questions | |
| ·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 |
11 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueExperimental methods· last May 24 P1 TZ2
- Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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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 1, by exam session
Which papers asked about Paper 1, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Every Paper 1 question, unlocked
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Psychology SL exam sessions are covered for Paper 1?
9 exam sessions from 2021 to 2025, the latest May 2025. Every Paper 1 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 15 papers in this archive.
Which Paper 1 topic comes up most?
Social identity theory (2.3.1): in 33% of papers, last seen May 25 P1 TZ3. Usually "discuss", worth about 17.1 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 SL exam preparation
Every question, by paper
What each Psychology SL 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 SL 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.
Open the booklet guide
Mock exams
Full Psychology SL 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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