PSYCHOLOGY · IB Diploma Programme
PSYCHOLOGY/31
Paper 3
Psychology · 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: International Baccalaureate Organization
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.0 / 5
71
180 min
Biological Approaches & Abnormal Psychology
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
71
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May 2024 IB Psychology Standard Level examinations were fair and well-structured, featuring classic and accessible core concepts alongside highly predictable prompts in the options paper.
Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Knowledge and Understanding
Weight: 4100%Use of research t
Weight: 375%Critical thinking
Weight: 250%Clarity and Organisation
Weight: 125%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
IB subject report — grade distributions, IA weighting, and HL/SL distinctions
Level 7
Excellent — top band for competitive university offers
Level 6
Very good — strong HL performance
Level 5
Good — solid pass at higher level
Level 4
Satisfactory — minimum for many university credits
Level 3
Mediocre
Level 2
Poor
Level 1
Very poor
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Match the expected response style for “Contrast” questions.
Match the expected response style for “extent” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2.7
Min per mark: 2.7
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Biological approach to understanding behaviour (Core)
31 marks this session
Abnormal psychology (Options)
22 marks this session
Cognitive approach to understanding behaviour (Core)
9 marks this session
Sociocultural approach to understanding behaviour (Core)
9 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Abnormal psychology (Options)
Cognitive approach to understanding behaviour (Core)
Biological approach to understanding behaviour (Core)
Sociocultural approach to understanding behaviour (Core)
Core) 16.
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 (Standard Level):
Paper 2 (Standard Level):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Biological approach to understanding behaviour (Core)
31 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAbnormal psychology (Options)
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCognitive approach to understanding behaviour (Core)
9 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSociocultural approach to understanding behaviour (Core)
9 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May 2024 IB Psychology Standard Level examinations were fair and well-structured, featuring classic and accessible core concepts alongside highly predictable prompts in the options paper.
- 2Message
Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2024 2024
Psychology
The May 2024 IB Psychology Standard Level examinations were fair and well-structured, featuring classic and accessible core concepts alongside highly predictable prompts in the options paper.
The May 2024 IB Psychology Standard Level examinations were fair and well-structured, featuring classic and accessible core concepts alongside highly predictable prompts in the options paper.
Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.
- Total marks
- 71
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.0 / 5
Session analysis
The May 2024 IB Psychology Standard Level examinations were fair and well-structured, featuring classic and accessible core concepts alongside highly predictable prompts in the options paper.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 (Standard Level):
Paper 2 (Standard Level):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
77% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Extended Response Question
(ERQ)
44·2·62%
Short Answer Question
(SAQ)
27·3·38%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A
0.37 m/minPaper 1 Section B
0.37 m/minTotal marks
44
Total time
120 min
Avg pace
0.37
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Enculturation or cultural dimensions
88%88%
Hormones and pheromones
85%85%
Cognitive biases
80%80%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h
- Total marks
- 24
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.