Click here to explore thousands of examiner marked IA, EE and TOK exemplars!
Since the change in the IB Biology syllabus (2025), many students may feel confused about the new format of Paper 1. In this post, however, we’ll break down everything you need to know, so you can approach the exam with clarity and confidence.
IB Biology Paper 1
- Accounts for 36% of the student's subject grade.
- SL students have 1 hour 30 minutes, while HL students are given 1 hour 45 minutes to complete Paper 1.
- SL students can score up to 55 marks on Paper while HL up to 75 marks.
- A calculator is essential for this paper.
- Paper 1 is made up of two separate booklets – Paper 1A and Paper 1B. Both papers are however completed in one sitting.
Paper 1A
Solely made up of multiple-choice questions – students must select one answer from the four provided.
Each question is worth 1 mark.
The SL Paper 1A consists of 30 multiple choice-questions (30 marks total), while the HL Paper 1A consists of 40 multiple-choice questions (40 marks).
- Points are not deducted for incorrect answers.
Although multiple-choice questions may seem straightforward, many students find them surprisingly challenging. The answer choices are carefully designed to make more than one option appear correct, even though only one is. Additionally, with just 50 minutes for SL and 1 hour for HL (given that you divide your time evenly between Paper 1A and 1B), you'll have roughly a minute and a half per question, adding to the pressure. However, you can master Paper 1A by consistently practicing sample questions and timing yourself.
Paper 1B
Solely made up of open questions.
Both SL and HL students answer 4 data-based questions related to experimental work and the syllabus.
The SL Paper 1B consists of 25 marks while the HL paper is marked out of 35.
- Points are not deducted for incorrect answers.
The challenge of Paper 1B lies in your ability to critically analyze the experiments and data provided, while applying relevant knowledge from the syllabus to answer the questions. To succeed, it's crucial to not only understand the theoretical concepts but also be able to interpret experimental work effectively. A solid grasp of how experiments are structured and how data is analyzed will give you the edge needed to navigate this section with confidence.
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify.
The Fast Track To Your
Best IB Coursework & College Essays
All content on this website has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. International Baccalaureate and IB are registered trademarks owned by the International Baccalaureate Organization.