IB Physics Exam Breakdown
A breakdown of the IB Physics exams. The exams account for most of your final IB Physics grade. Use this page to understand the paper structure and pacing before you sit your exams in IB Physics.
Paper 1: Multiple Choice & Data Analysis
Weighting: SL 36% | HL 36%
This IB Physics exam paper tests all of your core syllabus knowledge through multiple choice & data analysis questions.
Section A: Multiple choice questions, where each question has 4 answer options (A/B/C/D). Questions can take any form including diagrams, images and tables.
Section B: Data-based questions related to experimental work and the syllabus.
| Level | Description | Time |
|---|---|---|
SL | 45 marks: Section A: 25 marks
Section B: 20 marks
| 90 minutes:
|
HL | 60 marks: Section A: 40 marks
Section B: 20 marks
| 120 minutes:
|
Paper 2: Extended Response
Weighting: SL 44% | HL 44%
This IB Physics exam paper tests all of your core syllabus knowledge through extended response questions.
The paper includes both short answer questions, where candidates answer with a few words, and multi-part questions (i/ii/iii).
You are allowed a calculator and data booklet for this Physics exam.| Level | Description | Time |
|---|---|---|
SL | 55 marks:
| 90 minutes:
|
HL | 90 marks:
| 150 minutes:
|
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IB physics syllabus points
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