Carl Jung once said, “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes”. This quote is a perfect description of the essentiality and difficulty of psychology, which is embodied in the IB psychology course. IB Psychology is a rigorous subject built around understanding the biological and cognitive behaviors of different communities in consideration of sociocultural approaches. By integrating this subject into its curriculum, the IB hopes to educate students about mental processes that both connect and differentiate them from other communities.
To develop the students’ critical, analytical, and research skills, the course not only educates students on foundational topics, but also on various research methods that are currently being employed in psychological investigations. Furthermore, IB encourages students to conduct their own study regarding a research question of interest. This, and numerous other elements, is what sets IB psychology apart from other programs.
When will it be implemented?
The DP Psychology updates will be implemented in August 2025 with the first assessment to take place in May 2027.
Why are these changes being made?
The IB recognizes the massive Western influence on the study of psychology, which vastly overshadows the needs and perspectives of overlooked groups. The increased psychological contributions of non-Western communities in the modern world has diversified the field. Due to this, the IB deems it necessary to implement these elements into their course as well.
Content updates
| Area of change | Changes being made |
| Terminology Changes | The course revolves around four major elements: biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches, and research methodology – which act as the core of the subject. The core is now known as “content”. “Abnormal psychology” has been renamed “health and well-being”. |
| HL Extensions | HL students are required to compose a research proposal as their internal assessment. The research process will be supported by previous practicals conducted in class. Though the students are free to choose their research topic, it has to relate to the impact of technology, culture and motivation on human behavioral patterns. |
| Class practicals | Students will be required to investigate four contexts for their practicals. The four contexts include: Health and well-being, human development, human relationships, and learning and cognition. Previously, SL students were only required to select one whereas HL students were required to investigate two. |
Assessment changes
Assessment differences between the current and 2025 psychology assessment models. (STANDARD LEVEL)
The SL psychology course is composed of rather simple assessments, including two external exams and one internal assessment in which students conduct an experimental study on a community of interest. However, as seen in the table, the IB has simplified its assessment model by completely removing the internal assessment and wholly relying on external exams. The exams include either short-answer questions (SAQs) or extended response questions (ERQs).
| Assessment component | Current assessment model: | 2025 assessment updates | ||
| Assessment component | Weighting | Assessment component | Weighting | |
| External assessment | Paper 1 (2 hours) Total: 49 marks Section A: Three SAQs on the core approaches to psychology (27 marks)Section B: One essay from a choice of three on the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches to behaviour (22 marks)No section C | 50% | Paper 1 (1.5 hours)Total: 35 marks Section A: Two SAQs regarding two of three content areas.Section B: Two SAQs about applying content knowledge to unfamiliar situations from one of the four contexts. Section C *new*: two concept-based ERQs, each from a different context. | 50% |
| Paper 2 (1 hour)Total: 22 marks One question asking to apply biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches to a specific area of study. No section B | 25% | Paper 2 (1.5 hours)Total: 35 marks Section A: Four compulsory questions that focus on the class practicals Section B *new*: evaluation of an unseen research study with regard to two or more concepts | 50% | |
| Internal Assessment | Internal assessment (20 hours)Total: 22 marks An experimental study | 25% | Internal assessment removed | |
Assessment differences between the current and 2025 psychology assessment models. (HIGHER LEVEL)
The rigorous HL course requires students to write three external exams as well as an internally assessed experimental study. Students are free to choose their research topic, though there is a general theme that they are required to follow (see the content updates table for further details). Similarly to the SL course, this course’s exams are also composed of short-answer questions (SAQs) as well as extended response questions (ERQs).
| Assessment component | Current assessment model: | 2025 assessment updates | ||
| Assessment component | Weighting | Assessment component | Weighting | |
| External assessment | External assessment (5 hours) | 80% | External assessment (4.5 hours) | 80% |
| Paper 1 (2 hours)Total: 49 marks Section A: Three SAQs on the core/content of psychology (27 marks)Section B: One essay from a choice of three on the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches to behaviour. One, two or all of the essays will reference the additional HL topic. (22 marks)No section C | 40% | Paper 1 (1.5 hours)Total: 35 marks Section A: Two SAQs from two of the three content areas.Section B: Two compulsory questions asking to apply content knowledge to unfamiliar situations from one of the four contexts. Section C *new*: Two concept-based ERQs, each from a different context. | 25% | |
| Paper 2 (2 hours) Total: 44 marks Two questions asking to apply biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches to a specific area of study. No section B | 20% | Paper 2 (1.5 hours)Total: 35 marks Section A: Four compulsory questions that focus on the class practicalsSection B *new* : Evaluation of an unseen research study with regard to two or more concepts | 25% | |
| Paper 3 (1 hour) [External]Total: 24 marks Three SAQs assessing the knowledge of research methods. | 20% | Paper 3 (1.75 hours)Total: 30 marks Four source-based questions with quantitative and qualitative findings. The focus of the questions will be from one of the HL extensions. A resource booklet will be provided. | 30% | |
| Internal assessment | Internal assessment (20 hours) Total: 22 marks A report on an experimental study undertaken by the student. | 20% | Internal assessment (10-20 hours) Total: 24 marks A research proposal. | 20% |
Final Thoughts
With the launch of their updated psychology course, the IB hopes to offer a more diversified subject in which the voices of overlooked groups are heard. Both the content and assessment changes make the subject more easily digestible and even remove the strain of conducting an experimental study for SL students! If you have additional questions regarding the update, feel free to check out the official IBO website for more details.
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