Are you considering IB Psychology? The subject is demanding, explores human behavior through core approaches – biological, cognitive and socio-cultural approaches, as well as optional units. At the end of two years, you will be assessed through exams and research analysis.

Let’s delve into the structure of the IB Psychology curriculum and what you can expect in each paper:
Overview | P1 | P2

Overview

Paper 1: This paper comprises Short Answer Questions (SAQs) and an Extended Response Question (ERQ). SAQs, worth 9 marks each, cover core units: Biological, Cognitive, and Sociocultural Approaches. ERQs, worth 22 marks, go deeper, referencing 2-3 studies with critical analysis. You’ll choose one ERQ from 3 options, specializing in a core unit.
Time allotted: 2 hours

Paper 2: Only ERQs here. For Higher Level (HL) students, choose 2 questions out of 4 optional units: Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Human Relationships, and Health Psychology. Standard Level (SL) students focus on 1 optional unit.
Time limit: 2 hours

Paper 3 (HL Only): Analyze a stimulus piece about a study, addressing questions on methodology, ethics, credibility, etc. Total marks: 24.
Time: 1 hour

How to study for IB Psychology Paper 1

Strategies	Guidelines
Short Answer Questions (SAQs)	– Memorize key topics for biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches. – Know one study per topic (e.g., Neuroplasticity – Maguire/Merzenich).
Extended Response Question (ERQ)	– Choose the approach you’re most familiar with (biological, cognitive, sociocultural). – Memorize at least two studies for each topic. – Create a review document with key terms, study overview, evaluation, and link to the topic.
Case Studies/Research	– Understand aims, participants, recruitment, findings, and evaluation for each study.

How to study for IB Psychology Paper 2
A Strategic Study Approach

Prepare for Paper 2 in IB Psychology efficiently with these streamlined steps:

Steps	Guidelines
Choose Option(s) and Topic(s)	Opt for one (SL) or two (HL) from: – Human relationships – Abnormal psychology – Developmental psychology – Health psychology
Pick Topics Wisely	Focus on one or two topics per option you choose. For example, in Human Relationships, you’d look at – Personal Relationships – Group Dynamics – Social Responsibility If you’re going to be gung-ho and wing it, make sure you know 100% of what is written in each topic, ie. 100% of personal relationships. Personally, I wouldn’t take such a huge risk, I’d rather know 70% of two topics than 100% of just 1. DOn’t want to be dodging curveballs left and right.
Match Key Studies	Aim for at least 2 studies per topic to refer to in your essays. Refer to our Summary/ Checklist of Case Studies by Topic for a quick revision guide.
Define Key Terms	Memorize concise definitions for essential terms related to each topic.
Craft Key Theses	Formulate central arguments for each topic, for your own understanding
Provide Critical Thinking	Enhance essays with critical analysis: – identifying weaknesses in arguments – provide evaluating evidence
Write Templates	Sit down with a list of all your relevant case studies, craft your templates. Each template should take less than 45 min, and it’s yours for keeps til the exams.
Practice Essays	A lot of students avoid this step because they think writing essay templates/ plans is sufficient or they loathe writing long essays (3-4 pages during my time, per question) Essay plans are not sufficient. You need to attempt at least once per essay per topic, just to get a flavor of conditions during an actual timed exam. And a sense of how long your paragraphs may be. And being mindful of well-placed connectors that will push your essay grades up, as it demonstrates to examiners more clearly you’re capable of a coherent and balanced argumentative essay. All of which will happen only with practice. And trust, the more you practice the shorter it’ll take. Remember that with each form of practice, your STM gets encoded into the LT store. Essay templates: 45 min Essay revision flashcards: 15 min