IB Psychology rewards precise study recall, structured ERQ writing, and disciplined command-term response. Here is what a 7-grade student does at HL and SL.
Velocity Tuition Academy · IB Psychology · HL and SL
Updated May 2026·Written by Velocity Tuition Academy·Reviewed by experienced IB Psychology HL and SL teachers
IB Psychology is one of the more achievable 7s among IB Diploma humanities — the syllabus is well-defined, the mark schemes are predictable, and the path to top marks is built around two things: precise recall of studies (researcher names, dates, methods, findings) and structured Extended Response Question (ERQ) writing. Students who reach 7 have both. This guide covers exactly what they do.
Paper 1 (SL and HL) — Biological, Cognitive and Sociocultural approaches. Short-answer questions in section A, extended-response question (ERQ) in section B. HL has an additional ERQ on approaches to research.
Paper 2 (SL and HL) — option topics. SL: one option. HL: two options. ERQ format.
Paper 3 (HL only) — paper on approaches to research, based on a stimulus.
Internal Assessment (IA) — replication of an existing experiment, around 2,200 words. Worth 25% (SL) or 20% (HL) of the grade.
Studies Are the Currency
The IB Psychology mark scheme rewards specific, accurate recall of studies. The 7-grade student has 30-50 studies thoroughly memorised — researcher names, dates, aims, methods, findings, conclusions, evaluation points.
For each study, drill:
Researcher and year — "Loftus and Palmer (1974)..." not "a study from the 1970s..."
Aim — what they wanted to investigate.
Method — sample, procedure, controls.
Findings — specific numerical results where possible.
Conclusion — what the findings show about psychological processes.
Studies are the evidence. Without specific studies, even theoretically sound essays cap at a 4-5. With them, the essay reaches 6-7.
ERQ Structure — The 7-Grade Template
Extended Response Questions are the highest-mark questions and use a consistent structure that 7-grade students follow reliably:
Introduction — define key terms in the question, signal the approach you'll take. 2-3 sentences.
First study + theoretical link. Describe the study (researcher, aim, method, findings, conclusion). Link to the question explicitly.
Second study + theoretical link. Another study, different angle on the same question.
Critical evaluation — strengths and limitations of the studies and the wider research area. Consider methodological, ethical, cultural, and theoretical issues.
Counter-perspective — alternative theoretical approach, contradicting studies where appropriate.
Conclusion — direct answer to the question with reasoned position.
Two studies plus critical evaluation is the minimum for a 7. Three studies with thorough evaluation is the safer route. 800-1,000 words for an ERQ.
Command Terms
IB Psychology uses standard IB command terms. The most common at ERQ level:
Discuss — present multiple perspectives, weigh arguments, reach a conclusion.
Evaluate — make a substantiated judgement of value, strengths and limitations.
To what extent — assess the degree to which something is the case; argue both sides.
Contrast — make explicit point-by-point comparisons emphasising differences.
Explain — give detailed account of reasons, processes, or mechanisms.
"Discuss" answered as pure description, or "Evaluate" answered as one-sided argument, loses half the marks. Re-read the command term; match the response type.
The Internal Assessment
The IB Psychology IA is a replication of an existing experiment, around 2,200 words. Structure:
Introduction — replicated study identified, theoretical background, hypothesis, aim.
Results — descriptive statistics, inferential statistics where applicable, graph.
Discussion — interpretation of results, comparison to original study, limitations, suggestions for improvement.
Common IA mark losers: choosing an inappropriate study to replicate (one that's too complex or unethical to replicate at student level); insufficient ethical considerations (informed consent, debrief, right to withdraw); statistical analysis missing or wrong test used; discussion too brief.
Start the IA in DP1 — pick the study, complete the replication, draft by mid-DP2.
HL-Specific Demands: Paper 3 and Two Options
HL adds:
Paper 3 (Approaches to Research) — students respond to a stimulus (a brief research scenario) with structured questions about research methodology, ethics, and approaches. Tests understanding of how psychologists conduct research, not specific content knowledge.
Two options for Paper 2 instead of one — typical options include Abnormal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Health Psychology, Psychology of Human Relationships. HL students cover two options in depth.
For HL Paper 3, drill the approaches-to-research vocabulary — independent variable, dependent variable, controlled variable, confounding variable, reliability, validity, generalisability, internal vs external validity, ethical considerations.
Past Paper Strategy
10-12 timed past papers in the final exam term.
Practice ERQ writing under timed conditions. Most students write too slowly initially; pace develops with practice.
Mark with the official mark scheme. Track command-term gaps, study-recall gaps, evaluation depth.
Build a study bank — flashcards for the 30-50 key studies, drilled daily for 15-20 minutes.
For HL Paper 3, practice 4-6 stimulus-based questions specifically.
Targeting a 7 in IB Psychology?
Our 1-on-1 IB Psychology tutors specialise in HL and SL — study recall, ERQ structure, command-term discipline, IA supervision, and HL Paper 3 preparation. Free diagnostic trial.
Four habits: (1) memorise 30-50 studies thoroughly — researcher, year, aim, method, findings, conclusion, evaluation; (2) follow the ERQ structure consistently — intro, two-three studies with theoretical links, critical evaluation, counter-perspective, conclusion; (3) respond to command terms with matching depth (Discuss requires multiple perspectives; Evaluate requires substantiated judgement); (4) strong IA replicating an appropriate study with proper statistical analysis.
Moderately demanding. The content is well-defined (Biological, Cognitive, Sociocultural approaches plus options) and the mark schemes are predictable. The hardest part is study recall — students who don't memorise specific studies cap at 4-5 regardless of theoretical understanding. Students who put 5-7 hours weekly into it (with regular flashcard drills) reach A. Reaching 7 requires the additional layer of ERQ structure and command-term discipline.
Aim for 30-50 studies thoroughly memorised across the three approaches (Biological, Cognitive, Sociocultural) and your option topic(s). For each study: researcher name and year, aim, method, findings, conclusion, evaluation. Quality of recall matters more than quantity — 30 deeply-known studies beats 80 vaguely-remembered ones.
A replication of an existing experiment, around 2,200 words. Worth 25% (SL) or 20% (HL) of the grade. Students replicate a previously-published psychological experiment, conduct the replication with proper ethical considerations, analyse results with descriptive and inferential statistics, and discuss findings in comparison to the original. Start in DP1.
HL covers the same three approaches and one option that SL does, plus a second option (so HL covers two options for Paper 2) and Paper 3 (Approaches to Research, based on stimulus). HL is 240 hours; SL is 150 hours. The same study-recall and ERQ-structure principles apply at both levels, but HL has more content and the additional Paper 3.
Yes — IB Psychology is widely accepted as evidence of social-science capability. Universities offering Psychology degrees accept IB Psychology HL at grade 5-7 as one of the three HL subjects required. Some Medical schools accept Psychology as one of the science subjects, but most prefer Biology and Chemistry. Always check the specific university and course.
