IB Chemistry Exam Guide

IB Chemistry Overview 

Chemistry is an experimental science that ‘combines academic study with the acquisition of practical and investigational skills’. The IBDP Chemistry course consists of essential principles of the subject, whilst allowing teachers some flexibility to tailor the course to meet the needs of their students. 

What is the difference between IB Chemistry SL and IB Chemistry HL?

The course is available at both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL), and therefore accommodates students who wish to study Chemistry at university, and those who do not. In general, HL students have to complete longer and more demanding papers than SL students. Both IB Chemistry SL and IB Chemistry HL cover the first 11 topics (a total of 95 hours), and HL additionally covers topics 12 to 21 (an additional 60 hours). For both levels, you'll also study one of the four options A-D (15 hours for SL, 25 hours for HL).

IB Chemistry SL vs HL

It can be difficult to choose between HL and SL, but this is important because it will impact how much you study, what material you study and most probably your grade.

In summary, HL is more advanced, with more material, more teaching hours, and is more in-depth and complex. 

You are allowed to pick a mix of SL and HL subjects. If you know you struggle with a subject you have picked, it is probably wise to stick to SL, so you are more likely to score higher in your stronger subjects, should you decide to study HL for them. Make sure to take time to analyse the differences between HL and SL for your specific subjects though.

Most universities will have subject requirements for their course, usually for Higher Levels. If you would like to study Pharmacology at university for instance, you should most likely study Chemistry at Higher Level, but be sure to check your chosen university’s requirements in terms of specific HL grades. 

IB Chemistry syllabus outline:

The IB Chemistry programme consists of 3 papers and an internal assessment (IA), which refers to various assessed assignments conducted during the course. The course combines

Each student is able to investigate a topic of their choice. The extended essay (EE) requirement equips diploma candidates with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities. 

IB Chemistry Topics 

Ib Chemistry consists of a number of topics. These are split into smaller individual topics as below:

Core - 95 teaching hours for SL and HL 

Topic 1: Stoichiometric Relationships—13.5 teaching hours for SL and HL

1.1 Introduction to the particulate nature of matter and chemical change 

1.2 The mole concept 

1.3 Reacting masses and volumes 

Topic 2: Atomic Structure—6 teaching hours for SL and HL

2.1 The nuclear atom 

2.2 Electron configuration 

Topic 3: Periodicity—6 teaching hours for SL and HL

3.1 Periodic table 

Explore our IB Periodic Table Revision resources:

• Revision Notes 

• The Periodic Table IB

3.2 Periodic trends

Topic 4: Chemical bonding and structure—13.5 teaching hours for SL and HL

4.1 Ionic bonding and structure 

4.2 Covalent bonding

4.3 Covalent structures 

4.4 Intermolecular forces

4.5 Metallic bonding

Topic 5: Energetics/Thermochemistry—9 teaching hours for SL and HL

5.1 Measuring energy changes 

5.2 Hess’s Law 

5.3 Bond enthalpies

Topic 6: Chemical Kinetics—7 teaching hours for SL and HL

6.1 Collision theory and rates of reaction

Topic 7: Equilibrium—4.5 teaching hours for SL and HL

7.1 Equilibrium 

Topic 8: Acids and Bases—6.5 teaching hours for SL and HL

8.1 Theories of acids and bases 

8.2 Properties of acids and bases 

8.3 The pH scale 

8.4 Strong and weak acids and bases 

8.5 Acid deposition

Topic 9: Redox Processes—8 teaching hours for SL and HL

9.1 Oxidation and reduction

9.2 Electrochemical cells

Topic 10: Organic Chemistry—11 teaching hours for SL and HL

10.1 Fundamentals of organic chemistry 

10.2 Functional group chemistry 

Topic 11: Measurement and Data Processing—10 teaching hours for SL and HL

11.1 Uncertainties and errors in measurement and results 

11.2 Graphical techniques 

11.3 Spectroscopic identification of organic compounds 

Additional Higher Level (AHL)—60 teaching hours for HL

Topic 12: Atomic Structure—2 teaching hours

12.1 Electrons in atoms

Topic 13: The Periodic Table: Transition Metals—4 teaching hours

13.1 First-row d-block elements 

13.2 Coloured complexes

Topic 14: Chemical Bonding and Structure—7 teaching hours

14.1 Covalent bonding and electron domain and molecular geometries 

14.2 Hybridization 

Topic 15: Energetics/Thermochemistry—7 teaching hours

15.1 Energy cycles 

15.2 Entropy and spontaneity 

Topic 16: Chemical Kinetics—6 teaching hours

16.1 Rate expression and reaction mechanism 

16.2 Activation energy

Topic 17: Equilibrium—4 teaching hours

17.1 The equilibrium law

Topic 18: Acids and Bases—10 teaching hours

18.1 Lewis acids and bases 

18.2 Calculations involving acids and bases 

18.3 pH curves 

Topic 19: Redox Processes—6 teaching hours

19.1 Electrochemical cells 

Topic 20: Organic Chemistry—12 teaching hours

20.1 Types of organic reactions 

20.2 Synthetic routes 

20.3 Stereoisomerism 

Topic 21: Measurement and Analysis—2 teaching hours

21.1 Spectroscopic identification of organic compounds 

Option—15 teaching hours for SL and 25 teaching hours for HL

Materials science introduction 

A.1 Materials

A.2 Metals and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy 

A.3 Catalysts 

A.4 Liquid crystals 

A.5 Polymers 

A.6 Nanotechnology 

A.7 Environmental impact—plastics

Additional Higher Level topics 

A.8 Superconducting metals and X-ray crystallography (HL only) 

A.9 Condensation polymers (HL only) 

A.10 Environmental impact—heavy metals (HL only)

Additional Higher Level topics 

B.7 Proteins and enzymes (HL only) 

B.8 Nucleic acids (HL only)

B.9 Biological pigments (HL only) 

B.10 Stereochemistry in biomolecules (HL only) 

B: Biochemistry Core topics 

B.1 Introduction to biochemistry 

B.2 Proteins and enzymes 

B.3 Lipids B.4 Carbohydrates 

B.5 Vitamins B.6 Biochemistry and the environment

C: Energy Core topics 

C.1 Energy sources 

C.2 Fossil fuels 

C.3 Nuclear fusion and fission 

C.4 Solar energy 

C.5 Environmental impact—global warming

Additional Higher Level topics 

C.6 Electrochemistry, rechargeable batteries and fuel cells (HL only) 

C.7 Nuclear fusion and nuclear fission (HL only) 

C.8 Photovoltaic and dye-sensitized solar cells (HL only)

D: Medicinal chemistry Core topics

D.1 Pharmaceutical products and drug action 

D.2 Aspirin and penicillin 

D.3 Opiates 

D.4 pH regulation of the stomach Syllabus content Chemistry guide 31 

D.5 Anti-viral medications 

D.6 Environmental impact of some medications

Additional Higher Level topics

D.7 Taxol—a chiral auxiliary case study (HL only)

D.8 Nuclear medicine (HL only) 

D.9 Drug detection and analysis (HL only)

Students also cover an additional subject from the list below (usually your teacher chooses which subject you'll cover). Whichever option is chosen, there will be 5-7 topics (15 hours total) for SL and an additional 3 or 4 topics (25 hours total) for HL.

What is the format of the IB Chemistry Exam?

IB Higher level 

Paper 1: Multiple Choice (1 hour (20% - 40 marks)

Higher Level (240 hours)

• Internal assessment (individual investigation): 20%

• External assessment: 80%

Standard Level (150 hours)

• Internal assessment (individual investigation): 20%

• External assessment: 80%

You are given 60 minutes to complete 40 questions. Calculators are not allowed and the Data booklet is not available, but there is a periodic table included in the question paper.

Paper 2 - structured questions - 2 hours 15 minutes (36% - 95 marks)

You are given 135 minutes to complete the paper, with 95 total marks. This paper consists of only one section, containing structured questions of varying length. Calculators are allowed and data booklets are provided.

Paper 3: Options - 1 hour 15 minutes (24% - 45 marks)

Section A: one data-based question and several short-answer questions on experimental work. (15 marks)

Section B: short-answer and extended-response questions from one option (out of four) (30 marks)

Calculators are allowed and data booklets are provided

IB Chemistry IA (approx 10-15 hours and 12-20)

This is an investigative essay that is assessed through a single individual investigation. This may involve a hands-on approach, use of data-bases, modelling, simulation or a hybrid. This is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by The IB. 

A Summary of HL papers

IB Standard Level 

The SL IB chemistry exam consists of three papers.

Paper 1: multiple choice - 45 minutes (20% - 30 marks)

There are 30 questions (about 15 of which are common with HL). You are given 45 minutes to complete them.

Calculators are not allowed.

Data Booklet is not available, but there is a Periodic Table included in the question paper.

Paper 2: structured questions - 1 hours 15 minutes (40% - 50 marks)

This paper consists of one section, containing structured questions of varying lengths. 

There are 50 marks available in 75 minutes.

Calculators are allowed and data booklets are provided

Paper 3: Options - 1 hour (20% - 35 marks)

Section A: one data-based question and several short-answer questions on experimental work, worth 15 marks.

Section B: short-answer and extended-response questions from one option, worth 20 marks.

Calculators are allowed and data booklets are provided

IB Chemistry IA (approx 10-15 hours and 12-20 pages)

This is an investigative essay that is assessed through a single individual investigation. This 

may involve a hands-on approach, use of databases, modelling, simulation or a hybrid. This is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by The IB.

A Summary of SL papers

IB Chemistry exam dates 2022

The IB has made adaptations to help address the challenges caused by the covid-19 pandemic, including adjustments to learning, teaching, and assessment, which have been extended to examinations in 2022. Stay up to date with the latest information on the official IB website here.

Wed 18th May 2022 PM

Chemistry HL/SL Paper 1

Chemistry HL/SL Paper 2

*Due to covid-19, Paper 3 was removed for these exams

Wed 9th Nov 2022

Chemistry HL/SL Paper 1

Chemistry HL/SL Paper 2 

*Due to covid-19, Paper 3  was removed for these exams

IB Chemistry exam dates 2023 (provisional)

Thurs 11th May 2023

Chemistry HL/SL Paper 1

Chemistry HL/SL Paper 2 

Fri 12th May 2023

Chemistry HL/SL Paper 3 (Paper 3 is back as normal for 2023)

*The November exam dates haven't been released yet 

Chemistry IB Grade Boundaries 

Grade boundaries for all subjects are published annually by the IB in subject reports, after the exams have taken place and once grades have been released. Depending on the subject, grade boundaries may remain consistent over time, or change year on year, with grade boundaries being different for each subject and for each level within.

What will be the difference between the Chemistry IB grade boundaries 2021 v Chemistry IB grade boundaries 2022?

Although the IB have said that it is important to return to pre-pandemic standards as soon as possible to maintain the value and recognition of the IB qualification, they will ensure that the impact of the global pandemic will be considered throughout the grade awarding process for May 2022 and November 2022 exams.  

IB Chemistry Data Booklet 

Within the IB Chemistry course, there are a range of topics and concepts that need in-depth data and information that is extremely difficult to memorise. IB Chemistry provides a ‘data booklet’ for papers 2 and 3 for you to refer to in the exam. 

The Chemistry IB Data Booklet is a supporting resource that you should be very familiar with. While studying you might want to add your own notes and comments, but you will be given a clean copy to use in exams. Sections 1-28 cover core data, with the remainder of the booklet covering data referred to in the Options of Paper 3.

Watch out for sections 10 & 11- they are facing pages of bond lengths and bond energies. These two tables are laid out in the same way and it is an all too common error for students to read the wrong table to find their bond energy or bond length values because the tables look the same.

You are not expected to memorise physical constants or formulae unless they are referred to in the specification, but you are expected to find information in the Data Booklet and use it to solve problems. For example, the ideal gas equation is in the Data booklet, so you might think you don't need to learn it. However, the specification tells you that you need to solve problems relating to the ideal gas equation - that includes multiple choice questions in paper 1 - for which you don't use the Data booklet, so that's one to learn!

Grade Descriptors  

To finalise the overall achievement grade for a subject, the numerical marks for each component that has been assessed are combined together using appropriate weightings to give a total value. Overall grade boundaries are applied to give an overall achievement grade on the 1-7 scale (A-E for Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay).

There can be broken down as:

Grade 7  (highest)

A consistent and thorough understanding of the required knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply them almost faultlessly in a wide variety of situations. Consistent evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation is shown where appropriate. The student consistently demonstrates originality and insight and always produces work of high quality.

Grade 6 

A consistent and thorough understanding of the required knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply them in a wide variety of situations. Consistent evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation is shown where appropriate. The student generally demonstrates originality and insight.

Grade 5 

A consistent and thorough understanding of the required knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply them in a variety of situations. The student generally shows evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation where appropriate and occasionally demonstrates originality and insight.

Grade 4 

A good general understanding of the required knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply them effectively in normal situations. There is occasional evidence of the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Grade 3 

Limited achievement against most of the objectives, or clear difficulties in some areas. The student demonstrates a limited understanding of the required knowledge and skills and is only able to apply them fully in normal situations with support.

Grade 2 

Very limited achievement against all the objectives. The student has difficulty in understanding the required knowledge and skills and is unable to apply them fully in normal situations, even with support.

Grade 1 (lowest)

1 Minimal achievement in terms of the objectives.

In the core areas of Theory of Knowledge (ToK) and the Extended Essay (EE), an A-E scale is used as follows:

A Work of an excellent standard 

B Work of a good standard 

C Work of a satisfactory standard 

D Work of a mediocre standard 

E Work of an elementary standard

Once the papers have been submitted and marked, the grade descriptors for each subject are compared to the answers of the students and viewed alongside the marks of the students. An approach called ‘weak criterion referencing’ is used. This is where examiners are to establish a narrow range over which the grade boundaries could lie based on criterion (grade descriptors). This is then compared with boundaries calculated to match performance from previous years. Where these 2 boundaries align, the grades are set. 

IB Chemistry IA rubric

A: Personal Engagement - 8% (2/24)

This assesses the engagement of your idea. This includes demonstrating personal interests, independent thinking, creativity or initiative in the designing, implementation and presentation of the investigation.

B: Exploration - 25% (6/24)

This assesses scientific context for your work. This includes a clear and focused research question and uses concepts and techniques appropriate to the Diploma Programme Level including awareness of safety, environmental and ethical considerations. 

C: Analysis - 25% (6/24)

This assesses scientific context for your work. This includes a clear and focused research question and uses concepts and techniques appropriate to the Diploma Programme Level including awareness of safety, environmental and ethical considerations. 

C: Evaluation - 25% (6/24)

This assesses the extent to which your report provides evidence of evaluation of the investigation and the results with regard to the research question and the accented scientific concept.

D: Analysis - 25% (6/24)

This assesses the scientific context for your work. This includes a clear and focused research question and uses concepts and techniques appropriate to the Diploma Programme Level including awareness of safety, environmental and ethical considerations. 

E: Communication - 17% (4/24)

This assesses whether the investigation is presented and reported in a way that supports effective communication of the focus, process and outcomes.

Chemistry IB Grade Boundaries 

Your final diploma result score is made up of the combined scores for each subject. The diploma is awarded to those who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance including successful completion of the three essential elements of the DP core. 

Grade Boundaries IB Chemistry 2021

Grade boundaries 2022

These were released 5 July 2022 around 2pm.

Accessing November 2022 exam results

If the course coordinator allows, you may access your own results via the IB’s candidate results website from 2 January 2023 from 12:00 GMT (noon). The grade boundaries for these exams will also be released at this time.

IB Chemistry vs A Level Chemistry 

Summary 

The IBDP is a single full-time course of study for 16-18-year-olds leading to an overarching qualification, whilst A Levels are single subject qualifications which can be taken by people of any age and in combination with any other qualifications or with none. 

The IB is designed to be a full-time course for highly committed and internationally-minded students. It includes a compulsory element of what in A Levels are called enrichment activities. 

The IB has far more freedom of manoeuvre than awarding bodies offering A Levels (as there are multiple exam boards offering A Levels), although it is limited by its need to sustain its appeal to international students.

The Structure of the Course

Unlike the IB Diploma, A levels do not require students to follow an overall programme. Each subject is offered as a discrete qualification, with little guidance even for each subject as to the programme of study to be followed. There is, for example, no recommendation as to the number of hours of study expected (partly because the qualification is available for a wide range of possible candidates such as mature students who sometimes will study just one subject), whereas for IB there are clear recommended teaching hours set by The IBO.

Grading 

A level subjects are assessed on a five-point letter scale, A-E, with A representing the highest attainment, whereas for IB, the final grade uses the 1-7 grading option as described in the ‘Grade Boundaries’ section of this IB Chemistry study guide.

Subjects

A Level students study 4 to 5 subjects at AS Level, then 3 in Year 13, taking exams at the end of the course, and IBDP students will have to study 6 all the way through. 

At A-Level, there are no limitations on subject choice (beyond what is offered at school), whereas all IBDP students have to study a wide range of subjects across the Arts and Sciences, therefore all rounders tend to thrive with IB.

University Admission

When applying to university, higher education institutions have different requirements for A Levels and IB students. They normally ask for specific grades from A Level subjects (sometimes allowing a student to ease off on one of the subjects to focus on meeting these grade requirements) whilst IB students are set an overall points score target. 

Is IB Chemistry harder than A Level chemistry?

IB Chemistry Higher Level (HL) course is renowned for being significantly more difficult than the A-Level Chemistry course (this is largely due to the internationalisation of the IB). When deciding on subjects, it is usually recommended that IB students need to think about balancing challenging subjects they enjoy, with a few subjects that can secure points.

Due to the fact that more subjects are required at IB, the IB (HL) is more work than A Level. In addition, as all the exams for the 6 subjects come at the end of the course, it is essential that IB students are extremely organised with their revision.

However, it can be argued that A Level is more difficult as top universities tend to ask for high grades in relevant subjects. 

New IBDP Chemistry course 

The new IBDP chemistry course will be launched in February 2023 for the first teaching in August 2023. The first assessment will take place in May 2025.

For an overview of the course and for a technical breakdown of the DP curriculum and assessment methods, click here.

Conclusion

We hope that you found this helpful.  To revise effectively, you must know what to focus on when it comes to preparing for your IB Chemistry exam. Our teachers and examiners have expertly worked it out for you and structured everything clearly, so that you can get top grades, without wasting time. 

We have now launched our complete IB Chemistry resources to our site! 

Explore our revision notes on every single topic in your syllabus, then have a go at our IB Chemistry practice exams and answers and IB Chemistry practice questions by topic to ensure that you have the highest chance of achieving those 7’s in your exam.

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