The IB Chemistry program is divided into two parts: Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL). While both cover core chemistry concepts, the HL program delves deeper and includes material typically found in first-year university courses. The recommended teaching hours are as follows:

• SL: 150 hours
• HL: 240 hours

The curriculum was recently updated, and one of the key changes is the elimination of Paper 3. Here’s an overview of the new assessment format for both SL and HL:

Assessment at a Glance:

• Paper 1:
  • Paper 1A: Multiple-choice questions
  • Paper 1B: Data-based questions and questions on experimental work
  • SL: 1.5 hours | HL: 2 hours
  • Weighting: 36%
• Paper 2:
  • Short-answer and extended-response questions
  • SL: 1.5 hours | HL: 2.5 hours
  • Weighting: 44%

Internal Assessment (Scientific Investigation):

• SL and HL: 10 hours | Weighting: 20%
• The scientific investigation is an open-ended task where students gather and analyze data to address a self-formulated research question. The assessment is based on a written report with a maximum word count of 3,000 words.