IB Psychology SL · 2021 to 2025
Unit 3: Contexts
143 past paper questions from 29 papers across 14 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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SL archive · 2019 to 2027
Unit 3: Contexts
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
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Topics in Unit 3: Contexts
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
3.1
Health and well-being
44% of marks · 62 questions
- RisingBiological explanations of a mental health disorder
- FadingStress and health
3.2
Human development
30% of marks · 42 questions
- RisingTheory of mind
- FadingChildhood experiences
3.3
Human relationships
20% of marks · 28 questions
- RisingSocial identity theory and group behaviour
3.4
Learning and cognition
7% of marks · 11 questions
- DueBiological factors in cognitive processes
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 27 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Prevention and treatment of a health problem, 2019: 1 question | 1Prevention and treatment of a health problem, 2020: 1 question | ·Prevention and treatment of a health problem, 2021: 0 questions | ·Prevention and treatment of a health problem, 2022: 0 questions | 3Prevention and treatment of a health problem, 2023: 3 questions | 3Prevention and treatment of a health problem, 2024: 3 questions | 2Prevention and treatment of a health problem, 2025: 2 questions | 2Prevention and treatment of a health problem, 2026: 2 questions | ·Prevention and treatment of a health problem, 2027: 0 questions | |
| ·Cognitive explanations of relationships, 2019: 0 questions | ·Cognitive explanations of relationships, 2020: 0 questions | ·Cognitive explanations of relationships, 2021: 0 questions | ·Cognitive explanations of relationships, 2022: 0 questions | 2Cognitive explanations of relationships, 2023: 2 questions | 1Cognitive explanations of relationships, 2024: 1 question | 4Cognitive explanations of relationships, 2025: 4 questions | 2Cognitive explanations of relationships, 2026: 2 questions | ·Cognitive explanations of relationships, 2027: 0 questions | |
| 1Social identity theory and group behaviour, 2019: 1 question | ·Social identity theory and group behaviour, 2020: 0 questions | ·Social identity theory and group behaviour, 2021: 0 questions | ·Social identity theory and group behaviour, 2022: 0 questions | 2Social identity theory and group behaviour, 2023: 2 questions | 2Social identity theory and group behaviour, 2024: 2 questions | ·Social identity theory and group behaviour, 2025: 0 questions | 2Social identity theory and group behaviour, 2026: 2 questions | ·Social identity theory and group behaviour, 2027: 0 questions | |
| ·Theory of mind, 2019: 0 questions | ·Theory of mind, 2020: 0 questions | ·Theory of mind, 2021: 0 questions | ·Theory of mind, 2022: 0 questions | 1Theory of mind, 2023: 1 question | ·Theory of mind, 2024: 0 questions | 2Theory of mind, 2025: 2 questions | 1Theory of mind, 2026: 1 question | 1Theory of mind, 2027: 1 question |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueBiological factors in cognitive processes· last May 25 P1 TZ3
- 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 3: Contexts, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 3: Contexts, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Specimen 2027
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2026
21 questions across 3 papers
November 2025
19 questions across 3 papers
May 2025
23 questions across 5 papers
November 2024
8 questions across 1 paper
May 2024
16 questions across 4 papers
November 2023
17 questions across 3 papers
May 2023
10 questions across 2 papers
November 2022
1 question across 1 paper
May 2022
1 question across 1 paper
November 2021
1 question across 1 paper
November 2020
8 questions across 1 paper
November 2019
7 questions across 1 paper
May 2019
9 questions across 2 papers
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Psychology SL exam sessions are covered for Unit 3: Contexts?
15 exam sessions from 2019 to 2027, the latest Specimen 2027. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 29 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 3: Contexts topic comes up most?
Prevention and treatment of a health problem (3.1.10): in 28% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZ3. Usually "Discuss", worth about 22 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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What each Psychology SL paper tests across all its sittings: the marks by unit and the micro-topics it keeps coming back to.
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