Mocks and finals in a nutshell

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For Standard Level (SL) there will be two papers in the finals (total 3 hours). For Higher Level (HL) there will be three papers in the finals (total 4 hours 45 mins).

Paper 1, duration 1h 30 mins (4 SAQs + 1 ERQ)

Section A: two compulsory SAQs on two content areas (biological, cognitive and sociocultural). Please note! You need to study all three content areas, because the two questions can be derived on any of the three.

Section B: two compulsory SAQs that assess the student's ability to apply knowledge in new situations and scenarios. Contents are applied in context-specific situations or scenarios.

Section C: two concept based ERQ options, each from different context. Students are required to answer one of the two options. Contents for this question comes from the area of study parts in the syllabus.

Paper 2, duration 1h 30 mins (4 SAQs + 1 ERQ)

Section A: four compulsory SAQ that focus on class practicals.

Section B: one ERQ question based on a stimulus material and two or more concepts.

Paper 3 (HL only), duration 1h 45 mins (3 SAQs + 1 ERQ)

Four fixed source based questions (3 SAQs + 1 ERQ) on HL extensions and data-analysis.

How to Survive The Mocks And The Finals? A Quick Guide TO BE ELABORATED!!!

2026-04-01T19:25:08+03:00

Step 1: Review the Command terms => internalise what is expected of an answer with each command term. Pay close attention to the Assessment objectives. See how they link to each paper.

Step 2: Review the Assesment criteria for each paper => internalize what is expected of your response in both SAQ and essays/ERQs. Make connections with the command terms and the assessment criteria.

Step 3: Review The Guide => questions in the Finals are based on the guide.

Step 4: Make sure that you have enough relevant knowledge on contents, contexts and concepts for the mocks and the finals!

Assessement criteria for the Papers

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Paper 1 Assessment Criteria (All Sections, A, B and C): Paper 1 Assessment Criteria (All Sections, A, B and C)
Paper 2 Section A Assessment Criteria: Paper 2 Section A Assessment Criteria

How to respond in the mocks and in the finals?

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Paper 1

The assessment criteria for Paper 1 will help you to prepare for the whole paper.

Section A: two compulsory SAQs that focus on contents (biological approach, cognitive approach, sociocultural approach and to an extent research methodology).

The short answer questions in this section will always ask you to describe a content point and provide an example related to the content point. The example can be an account of a study (recommended) or an "anecdotal example". "Anecdotal example" is NOT something that is derived from your own experiences, but an example that is derived from psychological knowledge. There should be a balance between the content point and the example. Use max 10 minutes per one section A response (20 minutes total).

Section B: two compulsory SAQs where contents are applied in contexts (learning and cognition, human development, health and well-being and human relationships).

The short answer questions in this section will always have a scenario where you have to apply your psychological knowledge on contents in a certain context. The scenario is always derived from the four contexts. You need to (1) provide an account of the relevant psychological knowledge related to the question, (2) apply the psychological knowledge to the scenario and (3) justify the application with an example that can be an account of a study (recommended) or an "anecdotal example" (see above section A). There should be a balance between (1), (2) and (3). Use max 15 minutes per one section B response (30 minutes total).

Please note! Research studies are the ammuniton for you to use in section A and section B responses!

Section C: two concept based ERQ options, each from different context. You need to answer one option.

You will have a choice between two concept based extended response questions, each from a different context. The focus of this question is in conceptual understanding, but you shouldn't forget to provide details of relevant contents and contexts. Knowledge of specific details of research studies is not assessed per se, although research studies may be used to make a point related to conceptual understanding. Remember, any of the six basic concepts can be asked here (bias, causality, change, measurement, perspective and responsibility). You need to prepare for all possiblities. It is recommended to use TWO concepts although the questions will require you to use only one. Use at least 40 minutes for section C response.

Please note! You should provide an argument in section C! There are three things to remember here: (1) knowledge of the concept and relevant psychological knowledge (content and/or context based), (2) relevant psychological terminology in line with the question and (3) critical analysis where links between the concept(s) and psychological knowledge are explained. You should provide a clear argument with a consistent conclusion.

Paper 2

Section A: four compulsory SAQs that focus on class practicals.

In Paper 2 Section A you know the questions beforehand. Everything is based on the class practicals. The better class practical reports you have done, the better you will do in this section. The assessment criteria for this section helps you to prepare for this part.

Question 1: Describe...

You need to have balance between the correct terminology related to the practical in question and the actual aim, procedure and results of your class practical. If you just explain what did you do in your class practical, you are not getting high marks. If you just explain the correct terminology, you are not getting high marks.

Remember, any of the four class practicals you have done can be asked here (experiment, observation, interview and survey/questionnaire). You need to prepare for all possibilities.

Question 2: Explain the concept of...

You need to explain any relevant aspect of the concept in question in relation to your class practical. As above, you need to have balance between theoretical knowledge of the concept and link that to the actual features of the class practical you did.

Remember, any of the six basic concepts can be asked here (bias, causality, change, measurement, perspective and responsibility). You need to prepare for all possiblities with all the four class practicals.

Question 3: Compare and contrast the research methodology of...

This is a more theoretical question. The emphasis is on the knowledge you have on the two research methods in the question. However, you may reference your own class practicals to exemplify your explanations, but this is not needed per se. Remember to discuss both similarities and differences with correct terminology.

Question 4: Design...

This question asks you to provide an alternative to research method asked in the question 1. You need to have the exact same aim as in the class practical asked in question 1. However, you can have a broad interpration of the topic you used for the question 1 method. Pay close attention to the procudure of your alternative. Explain the procedure of your alternative research method with accuracy and detail. Use proper terminology effectively.

Section B: one ERQ question based on a stimulus material and two or more concepts.

This question requires you to discuss a research study (the stimulus material) with regard to two or more concepts. The stimulus material may be experimental or non-experimental. The stimulus material will align to one of the four contexts. The question will specify four or more of the six basic concepts in the syllabus (bias, causality, change, measurement, perspective and responsibility).

Please note! You should provide an argument in section B! There are three things to remember here: (1) knowledge of the concepts and relevant psychological knowledge (content and/or context based), (2) relevant psychological terminology in line with the question and (3) critical analysis where links between the concepts and stimulus material are explained. You should provide a clear argument with a consistent conclusion.

General advice for writing the Paper 2 Section B ERQ:
- Start your response with an introduction that states the concepts your are using to address the stimulus material. Give the reader the scope of your response.
- Each part of your response should address the stimulus material from a certain conceptual perspective; E.g. "There are several biases that weaken the validity of the study." Don't just list the concepts, but explain them in the context of the stimulus material; what does the conceptual analysis of the stimulus material reveal of the research study?
- Don't just throw psychological terminology into your response, but unpack the psychological terminology. If you discuss about validity of the stimulus material, you should show to the examiner what validity means and use it appropriately and in line with the nature of the stimulus material.
- End your response with a conclusion. What is the "value" of the research study in the stimulus material after your conceptual analysis? Did bias lower the overall value of the study? Was there a clear causality between the variables in the study? Did the researchers conduct the study in a responsible way?

Paper 3

COMING!

Materials for coping the finals

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IB Psychology HL And SL Specimen Papers for First Examination in 2027: IB Psychology HL And SL Specimen Papers for First Examination in 2027
Glossary of Command Terms for IB Psychology: Glossary of Command Terms for IB Psychology
Glossary of Subject Specific Terms in IB Psychology: Glossary of Subject Specific Terms in IB Psychology

Mocks And Finals in IB Psychology

Mocks and finals in a nutshell

How to Survive The Mocks And The Finals? A Quick Guide TO BE ELABORATED!!!

Assessement criteria for the Papers

How to respond in the mocks and in the finals?

Materials for coping the finals