IB Psychology SL · 2021 to 2025

2.2 Cognitive approach

19 past paper questions from 15 papers across 9 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.

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SL archive · 2021 to 2025

2.2 Cognitive approach

Latest exam session: May 2025

questions
19
questions
papers
15
papers
exam sessions
9
exam sessions
micro-topics
4

Micro-topics in 2.2 Cognitive approach

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.

  • 29

    2.2.1

    Schema theory

    7 questions · in 29% of papersAppears in 7 of the 24 Psychology SL papers analysed (29%), at least once each.

    Regular

    last May 25 P1 TZ1

  • 21

    2.2.4

    Cognitive models

    5 questions · in 21% of papersAppears in 5 of the 24 Psychology SL papers analysed (21%), at least once each.

    Rising

    last May 25 P1 TZ3

  • 13

    2.2.5

    Dual processing theory

    3 questions · in 13% of papersAppears in 3 of the 24 Psychology SL papers analysed (13%), at least once each.

    Occasional

    last May 25 P1 TZ2

  • 17

    2.2.6

    Confirmation bias

    4 questions · in 17% of papersAppears in 4 of the 24 Psychology SL papers analysed (17%), at least once each.

    Regular

    last Nov 24 P1

Exam pattern

How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.

Does it repeat?

Questions per year for each micro-topic.

fewermore

Micro-topic20212022202320242025
2.2.4Cognitive modelsRising · last May 25 P1 TZ3
·Cognitive models, 2021: 0 questions2Cognitive models, 2022: 2 questions·Cognitive models, 2023: 0 questions1Cognitive models, 2024: 1 question2Cognitive models, 2025: 2 questions
2.2.1Schema theoryRegular
3Schema theory, 2021: 3 questions1Schema theory, 2022: 1 question1Schema theory, 2023: 1 question1Schema theory, 2024: 1 question1Schema theory, 2025: 1 question
2.2.5Dual processing theoryOccasional
·Dual processing theory, 2021: 0 questions·Dual processing theory, 2022: 0 questions1Dual processing theory, 2023: 1 question1Dual processing theory, 2024: 1 question1Dual processing theory, 2025: 1 question
2.2.6Confirmation biasRegular
2Confirmation bias, 2021: 2 questions·Confirmation bias, 2022: 0 questions1Confirmation bias, 2023: 1 question1Confirmation bias, 2024: 1 question·Confirmation bias, 2025: 0 questions
  • Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
  • Regularin roughly one paper in six or more
  • Occasionalin about one paper in ten

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Questions on 2.2 Cognitive approach, by exam session

Which papers asked about 2.2 Cognitive approach, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Psychology SL exam sessions are covered for 2.2 Cognitive approach?

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 2.2 Cognitive approach topic comes up most?

Cognitive models (2.2.4): in 21% of papers, last seen May 25 P1 TZ3. Usually "explain / justify", worth about 11.6 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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