Short answer: From first assessment in 2025, IB Diploma Biology, Chemistry and Physics use a new model with two written papers plus an internally assessed scientific investigation. Paper 3 and the old option topics are gone. Paper 1 now has two parts — 1A (multiple choice) and 1B (data-based questions) — and Paper 2 contains short-answer and extended-response questions.
The current assessment model
| Component | Format | SL | HL | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1A multiple choice + 1B data-based questions | 1 h 30 | 2 h | 36% |
| Paper 2 | Short-answer and extended-response questions | 1 h 30 | 2 h 30 | 44% |
| Scientific investigation | Individual internal assessment | — | — | 20% |
Source: IB subject briefs for Biology, Chemistry and Physics, first assessment 2025.
Students also take part in a collaborative sciences project during the course.
What changed from the old model
- No Paper 3. The older three-paper structure has been replaced.
- No option topics. Content previously examined through options is no longer a separate part of the course.
- Paper 1B is new. Data-based questions sit inside Paper 1, testing how quickly students interpret unfamiliar experimental evidence.
What this means for revision
- Old past papers need care. They still contain useful science, but their structure no longer simulates the exam. Use them selectively for content, not for timing.
- Practise data questions as their own skill. Paper 1B rewards interpreting graphs and tables under time pressure.
- Treat the investigation seriously. At 20% of the grade, it is one of the most controllable components — planning time matters.
- Extended responses need precise terminology. General descriptions score poorly.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a Paper 3 in IB Biology, Chemistry or Physics?
No. Since the 2025 assessment, the sciences have two papers plus the scientific investigation.
Is the new model the same for SL and HL?
Yes, the structure is the same. HL papers are longer and cover additional content.
How much is the internal assessment worth?
20% of the final grade.
Can I still use old IB science past papers?
For content practice, selectively. For exam format and timing, no.
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