Group 3: Individuals & SocietiesSL AvailableHL Available

IB Psychology

Scientific study of behavior and mental processes from multiple perspectives.

IB Psychology explores human behavior through biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches. Students develop critical thinking skills while analyzing research studies and understanding ethical considerations in psychological research. The current course was first assessed in May 2027.

SL & HL
Levels offered
90 min
One-to-one lessons
$95
Lowest rate per lesson
Max 6
IB group programs
Prices and optionsRequest a tutor
Whiteboard in an IB Psychology HL lesson: memory types and the Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model, cognition and schemas, research methods with their ethical considerations, and an applied teaching example using spaced repetition and dual coding.
From a live online one-to-one IB Psychology HL lesson at the TestPrep Group
Course Introduction

Why Psychology Matters

Your grade in IB Psychology counts toward the 45-point Diploma, and many university courses ask for a particular grade in the subject, often at Higher Level.

Foundation for psychology and social science degrees
Develops research and analytical skills
Understanding of human behavior and mental health
Valuable for healthcare and social service careers
Whiteboard in an IB Psychology SL lesson: memory as encoding, storage and retrieval with the Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store and working memory models, cognition, research methods and ethics, and an applied example on the spacing effect.
Standard Level
SL Overview

SL covers psychological concepts, content (the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches) and four contexts, with class practicals and a research proposal, in 150 hours.

Higher Level
HL Overview

HL adds extensions on the role of culture, motivation and technology in shaping human behavior and on data analysis and interpretation, assessed in Paper 3, in 240 hours.

Career Pathways

PsychologyCounselingSocial WorkMedicineEducationHuman ResourcesMarketing ResearchCriminology

Psychology syllabus topics

The topics of the subject guide. Lessons follow your school's order and level.

Unit 1
Concepts, Content and Contexts
  • Biological approach
  • Cognitive approach
  • Sociocultural approach
  • Four contexts, such as human development and health and well-being
Unit 2
Class Practicals
  • At least four class practicals
  • Research methodology
Unit 3 (HL)
HL Extensions
  • The role of culture, motivation and technology in shaping human behavior
  • Data analysis and interpretation

How lessons approach Psychology

Understanding the concepts, and answering the papers the way the markscheme rewards.

Conceptual Understanding
Deep mastery of core concepts
  • Learn key studies thoroughly with ACER structure
  • Understand ethical considerations in research
  • Connect approaches to real-life applications
  • Practice critical evaluation of studies
Exam-Specific Techniques
Targeted preparation for IB assessments
  • Memorize studies for each approach
  • Practice SAQ and essay structures
  • Learn to evaluate studies critically
  • Plan the research proposal early

Past papers and markschemes

IB Psychology past papers, used in lessons alongside the questions from your own school.

How marks are won in Psychology

1
Use studies as evidence in every answer
2
Structure answers clearly with ACER
3
Evaluate studies critically
4
Know command terms precisely
5
Practice time management in exams

IB Psychology: lessons, prices and how to start

One-to-one lessons are 90 minutes, live online. Prices are set per program, so they are the same for every IB Diploma subject.

IB Psychology one-to-one tutoring packages
Single lesson$100Per lesson: $100Buy a lesson
10 lessons$970Per lesson: $97Buy package
20 lessonsLowest rate$1,900Per lesson: $95Buy package

Group options

IB group teaching runs as three programs, priced by the number of subjects you take, in groups of at most 6:

IA, EE and TOK supervision is one-to-one, from $100 for a single lesson.

How do you start?

Request a free consultation: it is a conversation about your goals and timeline, not a lesson or a test. There is no separate diagnostic test for IB Diploma, because no single test stands in for a school syllabus. The first lesson does the assessment: your tutor works through your recent marked work and past-paper questions from your own specification, and reads where you stand. It is a normal paid lesson, not a free trial, and it teaches as it assesses.

Request a free consultation

Refunds

Not satisfied after your first private lesson? Full (100%) refund. No score is guaranteed. Full terms.

Every IB Diploma priceAll IB Diploma subjects

IB Psychology — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IB Psychology SL and HL?
Standard Level: SL covers psychological concepts, content (the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches) and four contexts, with class practicals and a research proposal, in 150 hours. Higher Level: HL adds extensions on the role of culture, motivation and technology in shaping human behavior and on data analysis and interpretation, assessed in Paper 3, in 240 hours. The choice matters for university admission as much as for workload — many courses require the subject at HL specifically.
How is IB Psychology assessed?
Externally assessed: Paper 1 (SL: 35% / HL: 25%), Paper 2 (SL: 35% / HL: 25%), Paper 3 (HL) (HL: 30%). Internally assessed: Research Proposal (SL: 30% / HL: 20%). The internal assessment is marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB, and because it is completed over months rather than in an exam hall it is the component students most often leave too late.
What topics does IB Psychology cover?
The syllabus covers 3 topics: Concepts, Content and Contexts, Class Practicals and HL Extensions. Lessons follow your school's order, so tutoring supports your class rather than running alongside it.
Does IB Psychology count for university credit?
May grant credit for introductory psychology. Recognition varies by university and usually applies to Higher Level only, so check the policy of each institution you are applying to.
Where does IB Psychology lead?
It is commonly taken by students heading towards Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Medicine and 4 more. If your intended degree lists the subject as a requirement, taking it at Higher Level is usually what admissions expects.