How Many IB Physics Papers Are There?

If you're studying IB Physics, you're probably wondering exactly what you'll face on exam day. How many papers will you sit? What's in each one? And how do they all add up to your final grade?

Don't worry. We've got you covered.

Understanding the IB Physics exam structure is the first step to feeling confident and prepared. When you know what to expect, you can plan your revision effectively and tackle each paper with confidence.

At Save My Exams, thousands of IB students visit our pages every month. We know what helps students succeed, and we're here to break down the IB Physics exam structure in a clear, straightforward way.

Key Takeaways

• Both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) students sit 2 exam papers plus complete an Internal Assessment

• Paper 1 has two parts: Paper 1A (multiple choice questions) and Paper 1B (data-based questions), completed together in one sitting

• Paper 2 includes short-answer and extended-response questions for both levels

• All SL content appears in the HL exams: HL students answer the same core questions as SL students, plus additional questions on HL-specific topics

• The Internal Assessment counts for 20% of your final grade at both levels

Overview of IB Physics Exam Structure

The IB Physics assessment combines external exams with internal coursework. Your final grade comes from two main components: exam papers and your Internal Assessment (IA).

Both SL and HL students sit the same two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. The key difference? HL exams are longer and include additional content.

If you're taking HL Physics, you'll answer all the same core questions that SL students answer. Then you'll also tackle extra questions that test HL-specific topics. Both levels also complete one Internal Assessment, which is a scientific investigation you design and carry out yourself.

Once you understand how IB Physics is assessed, the next step is planning how it fits alongside your other IB subjects. Creating a clear IB revision timetable can help you manage this workload and plan your time effectively across the course.

IB Physics SL Papers Explained

Standard Level Physics students sit two external exam papers. These papers test your understanding of core physics concepts, your problem-solving skills, and your ability to analyse data. 

Together, the two papers make up 80% of your final grade. The remaining 20% comes from your Internal Assessment.

Paper 1: Multiple Choice and Data-Based Questions

Paper 1 is split into two parts: Paper 1A and Paper 1B. You complete both parts together in one sitting, without a break.

Paper 1A: Multiple-Choice Questions

Paper 1A tests your knowledge across all the core topics in the (opens in a new tab)IB Physics syllabus (opens in a new tab). You'll answer 25 multiple-choice questions. Each question has four possible answers, and you need to select the correct one.

The questions cover topics including:

• Space, time and motion (kinematics, forces, energy, momentum)

• The particulate nature of matter (thermal energy, gas laws, circuits)

• Wave behaviour (simple harmonic motion, waves, wave phenomena)

• Fields (gravitational and electromagnetic fields)

• Nuclear and quantum physics (atomic structure, radioactive decay)

There are no marks deducted for incorrect answers, so always make your best guess if you're unsure.

Paper 1B: Data-Based Questions

Paper 1B focuses on your practical and analytical skills. You'll work with experimental data, graphs, and diagrams.

Questions test your ability to:

• Interpret graphs and data tables

• Calculate uncertainties

• Analyse experimental procedures

• Apply your understanding of units and measurements

According to the (opens in a new tab)IB's official Physics updates (opens in a new tab), Paper 1B provides an opportunity to assess skills on graphing, units and uncertainties.

Paper 1 Details:

• Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (both parts combined)

• Total marks: 45 marks (25 from Paper 1A, 20 from Paper 1B)

• Weighting: 36% of the final grade

• Calculator: Allowed

• Data booklet: Provided

Paper 2: Short and Extended Response

Paper 2 digs deeper into your physics understanding. You'll tackle both short-answer questions and extended-response questions.

The paper begins with short-response questions. Each focuses on a narrow area of the curriculum.

The paper ends with one extended-response question on an SL topic. This question takes content from different areas of the syllabus and uses one of the three core concepts (energy, particles, or forces) throughout.

Extended-response questions test whether you can communicate your physics understanding clearly. You might need to explain a phenomenon, justify a conclusion, or evaluate experimental procedures. 

Like Paper 1, this paper covers all core syllabus content.

Paper 2 Details: 

• Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

• Total marks: 55 marks

• Weighting: 44% of the final grade

• Calculator: Allowed

• Data booklet: Provided

Internal Assessment (IA)

The Internal Assessment is not an exam paper, but it still forms a compulsory part of your IB Physics assessment.

This is your chance to be a real scientist. Instead of sitting another written exam, you design your own investigation, collect data, analyse your results, and evaluate your findings.

Unlike Paper 1 and Paper 2, the Internal Assessment is completed over several weeks during your course, not under exam conditions. You write up your investigation as a report, which contributes 20% of your final IB Physics grade, with the remaining 80% coming from the two exam papers.

You can work in small groups to discuss ideas, methodology, and experimental design, and to support each other during the process. However, you must submit an individual report that is entirely your own work.

Your teacher marks the IA using official IB criteria, and the IB may moderate a sample of work to ensure marking is consistent across schools.

Internal Assessment Details:

• Not an exam paper

• Completed during the course, not on exam day

• Individual written report

• Weighting: 20% of final grade

• Maximum word count: 3,000 words

IB Physics HL Papers Explained

Higher Level Physics students sit the same two papers as SL students: Paper 1 and Paper 2. The difference? HL papers are longer, have more questions, and test additional content.

Here's the important bit: If you're taking HL, you'll answer all the same core questions that SL students answer. Then you'll also face additional questions on HL-specific topics.

Think of HL as "SL plus extra."

HL students study all the SL content plus additional topics explored in greater depth and breadth. The two papers together make up 80% of your final grade. Your Internal Assessment contributes the remaining 20%.

Paper 1: Multiple-Choice and Data-Based Questions

Paper 1 at HL follows the same structure as SL, with Paper 1A (multiple-choice questions) and Paper 1B (data-based questions) completed together.

Paper 1A: Multiple-Choice Questions

The HL version includes 40 multiple-choice questions instead of 25.

25 questions are identical to the SL paper. These test the core content that both SL and HL students study.

The other 15 questions are HL-only. They test additional topics, including:

• Rigid body mechanics (torque, rotational motion, angular momentum)

• Galilean and special relativity

• Thermodynamics and entropy

• Electromagnetic induction

• More advanced quantum physics

Paper 1B: Data-Based Questions

Paper 1B is exactly the same for both SL and HL students. You'll answer the same data-based questions.

The only difference is that HL students get slightly more time overall for Paper 1 (2 hours total vs 1 hour 30 minutes for SL) to allow for the extra multiple-choice questions in the HL paper.

Total Paper 1 Details:

• Duration: 2 hours (both parts combined)

• Total marks: 60 marks (40 from Paper 1A, 20 from Paper 1B)

• Weighting: 36% of the final grade

• Calculator: Allowed

• Data booklet: Provided

Paper 2: Short and Extended Response

Paper 2 at HL is significantly longer than the SL version.

All the SL questions appear in the HL paper. So you'll answer questions that SL students also tackle.

But the HL paper also includes additional questions on HL-specific content. These are interspersed throughout the paper.

The paper ends with two extended-response questions at HL (compared to one for SL). These questions integrate content from different areas of the syllabus using the core concepts.

Expect questions that require you to:

• Apply concepts to complex, multi-step problems

• Analyse experimental data with uncertainties

• Evaluate scientific claims and methodologies

• Synthesise knowledge from different areas of physics

The extended response questions at HL can be challenging. They test whether you can think like a physicist, not just recall information.

Paper 2 Details:

• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

• Total marks: 90 marks total

• Weighting: 44% of the final grade

• Calculator: Allowed

• Data booklet: Provided

Internal Assessment (IA)

The HL Internal Assessment works exactly the same way as at SL.

It is not a written exam paper, but it still makes up 20% of your final IB Physics grade. You design and carry out your own scientific investigation. Your teacher marks it using the same (opens in a new tab)IB assessment criteria.

HL students may choose to explore more complex topics or use more advanced analysis, but the structure, assessment, and weighting of the IA are the same at both levels. The key differences between SL and HL lie in the exam papers, not the Internal Assessment.

Internal Assessment Details:

• Not an exam paper

• Completed during the course, not on exam day

• Individual written report

• Weighting: 20% of final grade

• Maximum word count: 3,000 words

Differences Between SL and HL Physics Papers

Let's look at how SL and HL compare side by side.

Key structural differences:

• Number of papers: Both SL and HL sit 2 papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2)

• Shared content: All SL questions appear in the HL papers

• Additional content: HL includes extra questions on HL-specific topics

• Total exam time: SL exams last 3 hours total; HL exams last 4 hours 30 minutes total

The overlap:

If you're taking HL, you'll answer:

• All the same multiple-choice questions as SL students, plus 15 additional questions

• Exactly the same data-based questions as SL students in Paper 1B

• All the same core questions in Paper 2 as SL students, plus additional questions on HL topics

Comparison table:

Content differences:

HL students study everything SL students study, plus additional topics including:

• Rigid body mechanics (torque, rotational motion, angular momentum)

• Galilean and special relativity

• Thermodynamics and entropy

• Electromagnetic induction

• More advanced quantum physics

According to the IB Physics subject brief (first assessment 2025) (opens in a new tab), HL students complete 240 teaching hours compared to 150 hours for SL students.

HL also explores core topics in greater depth. For example, both levels study gravitational fields, but HL students also learn about gravitational potential energy for two-body systems and escape velocity.

How to Prepare for Each IB Physics Paper

Smart revision starts with understanding what each paper tests and using the right resources to practise. If you are revising for IB Physics alongside other subjects, exploring some of the best IB revision websites can help you find reliable materials and practise effectively across the Diploma Programme. 

Here are some quick tips to help you prepare effectively for each component.

Revision Tips for Paper 1

Paper 1 has two distinct parts that test different skills.

For Paper 1A (Multiple-Choice Questions):

• Memorise key equations: You'll have the data booklet, but you need to know which equation to use and when

• Understand concepts: Multiple-choice questions test whether you truly understand, not just whether you've memorised

• Practise past papers: The more questions you attempt, the faster you'll become at recognising patterns

• Eliminate wrong answers: If you're stuck, cross out the options you know are incorrect

• Don't leave blanks; There's no negative marking, so always guess if you're unsure

For Paper 1B (Data-Based Questions):

• Master graph analysis: You need to read data from graphs, calculate gradients, and find areas under curves

• Understand uncertainties: You must know how to calculate and interpret measurement uncertainties

• Practise with real data: Work through past paper data-based questions to get comfortable with the format

• Learn to evaluate experiments: You'll need to spot weaknesses in experimental design and suggest improvements

Time management is crucial. You have 1 hour and 30 minutes for both parts at SL, or 2 hours at HL. Pace yourself carefully. Don't spend too long on any single question.

Revision Tips for Paper 2

Paper 2 tests deeper understanding and problem-solving skills.

Focus on:

• Practising structured questions: Learn how to set out your working clearly

• Understanding command terms: Words like "explain," "calculate," and "evaluate" require different types of answers

• Working with uncertainties: You need to calculate and propagate uncertainties

• Writing clear explanations: Extended response questions reward clear, logical communication

• Making connections: Extended responses often require you to link different areas of physics

Top tip: Always show your working. Even if your final answer is wrong, you can still earn marks for the correct method.

For extended-response questions, plan your answer before you start writing. A clear structure helps you communicate your physics understanding effectively.

The IB's official Physics updates (opens in a new tab) note that extended-response questions take content from different areas of the guide, using one of the three concepts (energy, particles, or forces) throughout the question.

Preparing for Your Internal Assessment

The IA is different from exam papers, but it's just as important.

Key tips:

• Choose a topic you're genuinely interested in: You'll spend weeks on this, so pick something that excites you

• Keep it focused: A narrow, well-explored question is better than a broad, shallow one

• Document everything: Record your raw data, uncertainties, and any issues that arise

• Analyse thoroughly: Don't just present data; explain what it means

• Be critical: Evaluate your methodology honestly and suggest genuine improvements

• Stick to the word limit: Maximum 3,000 words for your report

Remember, you can discuss methodology with classmates, but your report must be entirely your own work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do HL and SL students take the same Paper 1 and Paper 2?

• Not quite: but there's significant overlap.

• Both SL and HL students sit papers called "Paper 1" and "Paper 2," but they're not completely identical.

• Paper 1A: 25 of the multiple-choice questions are exactly the same for both levels. HL students then answer an additional 15 questions on HL-specific content.

• Paper 1B: This is completely identical for both SL and HL students. Same questions, same marks.

• Paper 2: All the SL questions appear somewhere in the HL paper. HL students answer all those same questions, plus additional questions on HL-specific topics.

• So if you're taking HL, you'll answer every question that SL students answer, plus extra ones.

What happened to Paper 3 in IB Physics?

• Paper 3 no longer exists in the 2025 IB Physics syllabus.

• The old option topics (relativity, engineering physics, imaging, and astrophysics) were either removed or incorporated into the core syllabus.

• According to the (opens in a new tab)IB's official Physics updates (opens in a new tab), all students now sit only two external examinations: Paper 1 (split into 1A and 1B) and Paper 2.

• This change first took effect for teaching in August 2023, with the first assessment in May 2025.

What's the difference between Paper 1A and Paper 1B?

• Paper 1A contains multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge across the whole syllabus.

• Paper 1B contains data-based questions that test your practical skills, including graph analysis, uncertainty calculations, and evaluation of experimental procedures.

• You complete both parts together in one sitting without a break. They're treated as a single exam session, even though they test different skills.

• Both parts allow calculators and provide the data booklet.

How much is the Internal Assessment worth in IB Physics?

• The Internal Assessment is worth 20% of your final grade at both Standard Level and Higher Level.

• It's marked out of 24 points. Your teacher marks it using official IB assessment criteria, and the IB may moderate a sample of IAs from your school.

• This is a significant chunk of your grade, so it's worth taking the time to do it well.

• Your IA report has a maximum word count of 3,000 words.

Are calculators allowed in IB Physics papers?

• Yes, calculators are allowed in all IB Physics exam papers, including both Paper 1 and Paper 2.

• Make sure your calculator is on the IB's approved list. Your teacher should have access to this list.

• Get familiar with your calculator well before exam day. You need to know how to use all its functions quickly and confidently.

Final Thoughts

Now you know exactly what to expect from the IB Physics exams. Both Standard Level and Higher Level students sit 2 papers plus the Internal Assessment.

Paper 1 combines multiple-choice questions (Paper 1A) with data-based questions (Paper 1B). Paper 2 tests your ability to answer structured questions and write extended responses.

If you're taking HL, you'll answer all the same core questions as SL students, plus additional questions on HL-specific topics.

Each paper tests different skills: from quick recall in Paper 1A to data analysis in Paper 1B, and deeper conceptual understanding in Paper 2.

Understanding the structure of each paper helps you revise smarter, not harder.

You can target your preparation based on what each paper tests. You can practise the specific skills each paper requires. And you can walk into the exam room feeling confident and prepared.

That's how you succeed in IB Physics.

References

• IB revision websites

• IB Physics syllabus (opens in a new tab)

• IB Physics subject brief (first assessment 2025) (opens in a new tab)

• IB's official Physics updates (opens in a new tab)

• IB revision timetable