IB Psychology SL · 2021 to 2025

2.2 Cognitive approach

34 past paper questions from 25 papers across 15 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.

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SL archive · 2019 to 2027

2.2 Cognitive approach

Latest exam session: Specimen 2027

questions
questions
papers
papers
exam sessions
exam sessions
By year5micro-topics

Micro-topics in 2.2 Cognitive approach

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in. 3 of them have no matching questions in this archive.

  • 26

    2.2.1

    Schema theory

    11 questions · in 26% of papers

    Regular

    last May 26 P1 TZ2

  • 0

    2.2.2

    Classical conditioning

    No question tagged to this topic in the 43 Psychology SL papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it
  • 0

    2.2.3

    Operant conditioning

    No question tagged to this topic in the 43 Psychology SL papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it
  • 26

    2.2.4

    Cognitive models

    11 questions · in 26% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P1 TZ3

  • 12

    2.2.5

    Dual processing theory

    5 questions · in 12% of papers

    Occasional

    last May 26 P1 TZ3

  • 14

    2.2.6

    Confirmation bias

    6 questions · in 14% of papers

    Occasional

    last May 26 P1 TZ1

  • 2

    2.2.7

    Anchoring bias

    1 question · in 2% of papers

    Less common

    last Spec 27 P1

  • 0

    2.2.8

    Cognitive load theory

    No question tagged to this topic in the 43 Psychology SL papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it

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 5 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.

fewermore

Micro-topic201920202021202220232024202520262027
2.2.4Cognitive modelsFrequently tested
1Cognitive models, 2019: 1 question1Cognitive models, 2020: 1 question·Cognitive models, 2021: 0 questions2Cognitive models, 2022: 2 questions·Cognitive models, 2023: 0 questions1Cognitive models, 2024: 1 question3Cognitive models, 2025: 3 questions2Cognitive models, 2026: 2 questions1Cognitive models, 2027: 1 question
2.2.1Schema theoryRegular
2Schema theory, 2019: 2 questions·Schema theory, 2020: 0 questions3Schema theory, 2021: 3 questions1Schema theory, 2022: 1 question1Schema theory, 2023: 1 question1Schema theory, 2024: 1 question2Schema theory, 2025: 2 questions1Schema theory, 2026: 1 question·Schema theory, 2027: 0 questions
2.2.6Confirmation biasOccasional
1Confirmation bias, 2019: 1 question·Confirmation bias, 2020: 0 questions2Confirmation bias, 2021: 2 questions·Confirmation bias, 2022: 0 questions1Confirmation bias, 2023: 1 question1Confirmation bias, 2024: 1 question·Confirmation bias, 2025: 0 questions1Confirmation bias, 2026: 1 question·Confirmation bias, 2027: 0 questions
2.2.5Dual processing theoryOccasional
·Dual processing theory, 2019: 0 questions·Dual processing theory, 2020: 0 questions·Dual processing theory, 2021: 0 questions·Dual processing theory, 2022: 0 questions1Dual processing theory, 2023: 1 question1Dual processing theory, 2024: 1 question2Dual processing theory, 2025: 2 questions1Dual processing theory, 2026: 1 question·Dual processing theory, 2027: 0 questions

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  • Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years
  • 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?

15 exam sessions from 2019 to 2027, the latest Specimen 2027. Every Paper 1 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 25 papers in this archive.

Which 2.2 Cognitive approach topic comes up most?

Cognitive models (2.2.4): in 26% of papers, last seen May 26 P1 TZ3. Usually "Describe", worth about 11.1 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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