Is IB Psychology Hard? A Teacher’s Perspective

Choosing your IB subjects can feel overwhelming, especially if you're considering IB Psychology. With six subject groups to choose from, Psychology falls under Group 3 (Individuals & Societies). Since many students have never studied psychology before, it's natural to feel unsure about taking on a subject that may be unfamiliar. 

You may be wondering whether IB Psychology is hard. Fortunately, having taught psychology for well over a decade, I understand the concerns you may have about studying it.. The good news is that while it may seem like you’re learning a new language at first, IB Psychology is not inherently "hard." 

Like all IB subjects, it presents challenges, but with the right mindset and a genuine interest in people and behaviour, you can succeed—and I’m here to help you do just that. 

So, Is IB Psychology Hard?

IB Psychology is a complex scientific subject that covers a wide range of topics. This includes topics on memory, group pressure, brain structure and the effect of culture on behaviour. IB Psychology explores the methods that psychologists use to conduct their research. This includes lab experiments, observations and questionnaires. 

Yes, IB Psychology can be challenging. However, it is a fascinating subject that is manageable as long as you approach it with a strong work ethic and an enquiring mind.

There are several reasons why IB Psychology is often perceived as "hard":

• The volume of content to learn is vast: There are many key studies, key terms, theories and evaluations to make sense of and remember for exams

• There is a lot of terminology linked to research methods that you will use in your internal assessment and in written exams. Students often find this aspect of the course quite tricky 

• Critically evaluating studies, theories and research methods can be overwhelming 

• Designing and running your own experiment (coursework) means you have to be organised and able to work as part of a group

But, with consistent revision and retrieval practice, these challenges can be overcome. It is important to practise past papers and ensure your revision is ongoing. This way, you are likely to achieve a high grade in IB Psychology.

Volume of content

In my experience, students often say that there is a lot to memorise in IB Psychology. This is because there are many key studies, theories, and research methods that you need to learn. Each topic has specific details that need to be understood and accurately remembered. 

• For instance, the IB Psychology course is organised into the 3 Core Approaches: Options, Research Methods and the Internal Assessment

The course structure allows you to gradually build up your understanding and develop links between topics. Regular revision and actively testing yourself (without notes!) can help you to manage the workload effectively.

Understanding complex concepts

Some topics, such as neuroplasticity or the dual process model, can be difficult to grasp. Every theory, research study and research method you will learn requires critical thinking and analysis. This can be demanding to begin with, but as with all skills, your psychological knowledge and higher-order thinking skills will develop with time.

Knowledge & understanding

Short exam questions (SAQs) appear on Paper 1 and are worth 9 marks each. These require you to demonstrate that you have a firm grasp of key concepts, theories, research and studies that you can use in a focused exam response. You will also need to show these key skills on extended response questions (ERQs for 22 marks each).

Critical thinking

Being able to analyse, reflect, evaluate and apply critical thinking skills is what will ultimately help you to reach a high grade in IB Psychology. The essay-type 22 mark questions require in-depth critical thinking applied to concepts, theories, research and studies. You need to practice essay planning as well as essay writing.

By revising regularly and practising exam-type questions and past papers, you can improve your ability to answer them effectively.

Research methods

There are many aspects that psychologists must consider when designing their research. These underpin most of what is studied in IB Psychology. You will need to use examples of research in both SAQs and ERQs to show knowledge and understanding. You’ll also need to use research to show the application of critical thinking.

If you take HL IB Psychology, you will take a separate exam on research methods (Paper 3). This covers a range of research methods and issues such as validity, reliability, bias, generalisability, reflexivity, and ethical issues.

Both HL and SL IB Psychology students will design and run their own experiment. This involves analysing quantitative data and performing a statistical analysis of the findings.

Timing

In my experience, many students find timing one of the biggest challenges in IB Psychology exams. For instance, Paper 1 is 2 hours long and is divided into Section A and Section B, so I always advise students to spend 1 hour per section. Students often feel that there isn’t enough time to answer all the questions in the allotted time and still achieve a good grade.

Timing issues arise from a lack of understanding of what each question demands and the inclusion of unnecessary details. These challenges can be resolved through revision, plenty of past paper practice, and planning your time well for the exams. 

How to Overcome the Challenges of IB Psychology

Overcoming the challenges of IB Psychology requires a focused and strategic approach. Below are some tips:

Organised Revision

I always tell my students to start revising early! You should allow yourself as much time as possible to revise, rather than cramming in the lead-up to your exams. Use a revision timetable to break down the large volume of content into manageable sections. This will help you stay on track. 

Develop the habit of completing small tasks consistently throughout the academic year. This way, preparing for exams becomes less overwhelming. It allows you to concentrate more on refining your exam technique. Your revision should focus on understanding the key approaches, theories, research methods and critical thinking. 

Revision Strategies

Students often ask exactly how to revise. As everyone learns differently, it is so helpful to identify your preferred learning style early on in the course and then tailor your revision techniques accordingly. You may not know what your preferred learning style is, and it can differ depending on the nature of the content you need to learn. Try out different strategies until you find the one that works for you.

Below are a few ideas of how to help you get started, depending on your learning style:

• Visual learners: Use mind maps, diagrams, and colour-coding

  • These are especially helpful for revising concepts such as the multi-store model of memory

• Auditory learners: Record yourself summarising topics on your phone, listen to relevant podcasts or watch videos on the topics that you are revising

  • Teaching others is an excellent revision strategy for auditory learners

• Kinaesthetic learners: Create physical models or use hands-on experiments

  • Hands-on, practical experience is especially important for understanding research methods content in IB Psychology

The Save My Exams Learning Hub has a wealth of helpful revision advice. 

Retrieval Practice

In my experience as a student and a teacher, retrieval practice is one of the best ways to revise. Several academic studies show that the most ineffective revision strategies are passive ones. These include re-reading, highlighting, or summarising revision notes. 

Here’s how retrieval practice works:

• Active recall: Test yourself without any notes or textbooks to retrieve or recall the information from memory. For example, after studying a concept like memory, close your book and test yourself on the key theories and studies you have learnt about

• Spaced practice: To make retrieval practice even more effective, you should space out your revision sessions. Instead of cramming all at once, review the material several times over days or weeks, testing yourself each time. This helps to reinforce your knowledge

There are many benefits of retrieval practice:

• Improves long-term memory: Actively recalling information helps to strengthen the neural connections in your brain, making it easier to remember in the future

• Identifies gaps: When you try to recall something and can’t remember it, you’ll know exactly which areas need more attention

• Boosts confidence: As you successfully retrieve information, you’ll build confidence in your ability to recall and apply your knowledge

You can try the following retrieval techniques:

• Flashcards: Write questions or key concepts on one side and answers on the other. Test yourself or ask someone else to test you regularly. Online flashcards that are accessible on your phone are very useful, as you can test yourself whilst on the bus or waiting in a queue

• Self-testing: After reading a section of your notes, close them and try to write down (or say out loud) everything you remember. Compare what you have written with your revision notes to identify any gaps that you need to work on

• Practice questions: Use past papers or quizzes to test your understanding. Use the mark schemes or ask your teacher to check your answers. Once you’ve built up the confidence in your recall ability, begin answering questions in timed conditions. For example, 20 minutes to answer a 9-mark SAQ for Paper 1 of the IB Psychology exam.

By regularly engaging in retrieval practice, you actively strengthen your memory. This will make it easier to recall information during the exams.

Use Multiple Resources

Don’t rely on just one textbook. Use online revision notes, videos, and revision guides to reinforce your learning. These different formats can help you understand difficult psychological concepts and make the content more engaging. 

Examiner-written mark schemes and examiners’ reports are valuable resources to help you enhance your learning and develop your exam skills. Ask your teacher for examples of these.

Practise Past Papers

Using past papers for IB Psychology revision is one of the most effective ways to prepare for your IB Psychology exams. Here’s how to make the most of past papers:

• Start early: Begin using past papers early in your revision process to familiarise yourself with the exam format, types of questions, and time constraints. Don’t wait until the last minute to use them; consistent practice over time will help you build confidence and improve your performance

• Practice under exam conditions: Try to replicate the conditions of the actual exam by timing yourself when completing past papers. This helps you get used to the pressure of the time limit and ensures you can manage your time effectively during the real exam

• Understand mark schemes: Use the mark scheme to check your answers and to help you learn from any mistakes. Look at how marks are awarded for each answer, especially for the longer essay-style questions

• Analyse your mistakes: Reflecting on your mistakes will help you avoid repeating the same errors in the future. Ask yourself:

  • Did I misinterpret the question?

  • Did I miss key information or concepts?

  • Did I spend too much time on one question?

  • Did I structure my answer well, especially for the essay-style questions?

• Target weak areas: When reviewing your answers, identify areas where you consistently struggle (e.g., critical thinking, developing points in depth). Focus your revision on these areas to improve your understanding and performance

• Break down ERQs: For the longer 22-mark questions, practise structuring your answers to ensure you cover all aspects of the question

• Track your progress: Keep a record of your past paper practice. Identify which areas you performed well in and where you need to improve. Over time, you should see progress in your understanding and exam technique

By consistently practising with past papers, you’ll become familiar with the exam format. This will help improve your exam technique and timing and boost your confidence on the day of the exams.

Structure, structure, structure

As you may have guessed, I regard exam answer structure just as important (sometimes more so) than content. Of course you need to know what to put in an exam response, but students often lose marks because of the way in which they have put their answer together. 

If the command term is ‘Contrast’ and you produce a straightforward 'Describe and evaluate' response, then you have not structured your answer according to what the question demands. This means that you will lose valuable marks. Practising how to adhere to each command term is vital!

Stay Consistent

Make a revision timetable and stick to it. Set aside specific times for different topics. Regular, short study sessions are more effective than long, irregular ones. Consistency is key to retaining information, building your confidence and reducing stress before the exams. 

By combining these strategies, you can tackle the challenges of IB Psychology and boost your chances of success

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IB Psychology More Difficult Than Other Subjects?

Some students may find IB Psychology more challenging than other subjects for several reasons. Firstly, it involves a large amount of content that needs to be memorised, such as key studies, theories, and key terms. This makes it harder for students who find memorisation difficult. 

Secondly, if you struggle with scientific concepts, particularly biology, you might want to carefully consider whether IB Psychology is the right choice for you. IB Psychology includes a fair amount of biological content. There is some emphasis on psychology as a science (though as a ‘soft’ science, unlike chemistry and physics). There is some maths involved in IB Psychology but only as part of the Internal Assessment. This means there is no maths in the exam (with the IA, you can do the calculations as a group).

Finally, another challenge is applying critical thinking. Analytical thinking can be tough for students who struggle with higher-level thinking skills and think in "black or white" terms.

IB Psychology is designed to be accessible for students without prior knowledge. Whether it’s harder than other subjects depends on how well you can engage with and revise the material.

Can I Get a Good Grade in IB Psychology With No Previous Knowledge?

Yes, you can get a good grade in IB Psychology even with no previous knowledge. The course is designed for students who are new to the subject, so you don't need prior experience. 

One key factor is that IB Psychology introduces concepts in a clear and structured way. The curriculum builds knowledge gradually, so as long as you stay on top of your learning, you can master the material.

How Hard Is It to Get a 7 in IB Psychology?

To secure a grade 7, you must engage with the material deeply, practise exam questions, and use effective revision strategies like active recall and spaced repetition. It’s also important to manage time efficiently and stay organised throughout the year. While getting a grade 7 is hard, with consistent effort and dedication, high marks in IB Psychology are achievable.

Boost Your Confidence With Save My Exams

Save My Exams helps students study effectively and get higher grades than they ever thought possible. Our revision resources are written by teachers and examiners. That means revision notes, questions by topic, and worked solutions that show exactly what the examiners for each specific exam are looking for. 

Explore our IB Psychology Revision Resources