Introduction
IB Psychology HL goes deeper than SL, requiring students to master not only the three core approaches (biological, cognitive, sociocultural) but also higher-level research methods and Paper 3 experimental design questions.
Knowing the grade boundaries helps you track progress and set realistic goals. Below are the official IB Psychology HL grade boundaries for 2025 (P22, Timezone 0).
Quick Start Checklist for Psychology HL
- ✅ Review two studies for each approach and option topic
- ✅ Practice essay planning under time constraints
- ✅ Memorize command terms and their assessment expectations
- ✅ Strengthen methodology for Paper 3 research design
- ✅ Refine your IA to secure easy marks
- ✅ Use grade boundaries to measure your path toward a 7
IB Psychology HL 2025 Grade Boundaries (P22)
Internal Assessment (out of 22)
- Grade 7: 17–22
- Grade 6: 14–16
- Grade 5: 12–13
- Grade 4: 9–11
- Grade 3: 6–8
- Grade 2: 3–5
- Grade 1: 0–2
Paper One (out of 49)
- Grade 7: 33–49
- Grade 6: 28–32
- Grade 5: 22–27
- Grade 4: 17–21
- Grade 3: 8–16
- Grade 2: 4–7
- Grade 1: 0–3
Paper Two (out of 44)
- Grade 7: 37–44
- Grade 6: 31–36
- Grade 5: 25–30
- Grade 4: 19–24
- Grade 3: 12–18
- Grade 2: 6–11
- Grade 1: 0–5
Paper Three (out of 24)
- Grade 7: 18–24
- Grade 6: 15–17
- Grade 5: 11–14
- Grade 4: 8–10
- Grade 3: 5–7
- Grade 2: 3–4
- Grade 1: 0–2
Final IB Psychology HL Grade Boundaries (out of 100)
- Grade 7: 72–100
- Grade 6: 60–71
- Grade 5: 47–59
- Grade 4: 35–46
- Grade 3: 20–34
- Grade 2: 9–19
- Grade 1: 0–8
Tips for Scoring a 7 in IB Psychology HL
- Master Paper 3: Practice designing, justifying, and evaluating research methods.
- Answer the question, not the topic: Stay tightly linked to the command terms.
- Plan essays efficiently: Use clear structure—intro, study 1, study 2, evaluation, conclusion.
- Know versatile studies: Choose studies that apply to multiple learning outcomes.
- Polish your IA: It’s one of the easiest places to secure marks if structured well.
Conclusion
The 2025 IB Psychology HL grade boundaries (P22) give you a clear benchmark for success. By combining strong research knowledge, well-chosen studies, and effective time management, you can maximize your performance and aim for a Level 7 in Psychology HL.
