Click here to explore thousands of examiner marked IA, EE and TOK exemplars!
The change in the IB Chemistry syllabus (2025) may leave many students 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 Chemistry Paper 1
- Accounts for 36% of the student's subject grade (SL & HL).
- SL students have 1 hour 30 minutes, while HL students are given 2 hours to complete Paper 1.
- Calculators are permitted.
- 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.
While multiple-choice questions may seem simple, many students find them unexpectedly difficult. The options are crafted to make more than one choice appear correct, even though only one is. Furthermore, with only 50 minutes for SL and 1 hour for HL (assuming equal time is allotted between Paper 1A and 1B), you have about a minute and a half per question, which adds to the pressure. However, you can master Paper 1A by regularly practicing sample questions and timing yourself.
A typical Section A SL question may look the following way:
Which statement(s) is(are) correct for chromium? [1]
I. The electron configuration for its divalent cation is [Ar]3d5
II. It belongs to the d-block
III. Its condensed electronic configuration is [Ar]4s23d4
(a) I and II only
(b) II only
(c) II and III only
(d) III only
A typical Section A HL question may look the following way:
A cyclist rides up a hill of vertical height 100m in 500s at a constant speed. The combined mass of the cyclist and the cyclist is 80kg. The power developed by the cyclist is 200 W. What is the efficiency of the energy transfer in this system?
A. 8%
B. 20%
C. 60%
D. 80%
Paper 1B
- Made up of data-based questions.
- Questions relate to experimental work.
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 key to excelling in Paper 1B is your ability to critically assess the experiments and data presented, while integrating relevant syllabus knowledge. The Chemistry Paper 1B requires not just an understanding of theoretical concepts but also the ability to interpret experimental work accurately. A thorough understanding of experimental work and analytical skills are therefore essential for this section.
In Section B, students are presented with data-based questions. These may look the following way:
Based on the graph provided:
(a) State the values of the coefficients x, y, and z. [2]
(b) Deduce the average rate of reaction in reference to the rate of formation of NO2. [1]
(c) A small amount of NO2 remains dissolved in the nitric acid. State why this effect produces a systematic error in the measured gas volume. [1]
(d) Calculate the value of S. [1]
(e) The calculated yield after 1 min was 0.084 +/- 0.03 mol dm-3. Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the calculated yield. [2]
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.