Restructured syllabus, first assessed May 2025 — five themes (A–E), no optional Paper 3 topics. Same IA at SL and HL.
IB Physics is assessed by two external exams and one internal assessment. Paper 1 (multiple-choice + data-based) is worth 36%, Paper 2 (short-answer and extended-response) is worth 44%, and the internal assessment — a scientific investigation — is worth 20%. External exams make up 80% of the final grade.
In the 2025 syllabus the percentage weightings are the same at both levels (Paper 1 36%, Paper 2 44%, IA 20%). The difference is depth and length: HL covers additional higher level (AHL) content, sits longer papers (Paper 1 is 2 hours vs 1h30, Paper 2 is 2h30 vs 1h30), and totals 240 teaching hours against 150 at SL.
The current syllabus is organised into five themes: A — Space, time and motion; B — The particulate nature of matter; C — Wave behaviour; D — Fields; and E — Nuclear and quantum physics.
Yes. IB Physics was restructured for first assessment in May 2025. The previous 12-topic syllabus and optional Paper 3 topics (such as Astrophysics and Relativity) were replaced by the five-theme structure assessed in Papers 1 and 2.
One real 1-on-1 lesson with your assigned IB Examiner. No sales call.