Assessment

All experimental sciences share the same assessment structure.

Internal Assessment 24%

Practical work is an integral part of all Experimental Sciences, and all students will carry out investigative work during the course of the two-year programme. Students should complete a minimum of 40 hours of experimental work at standard level or 60 hours at higher level. Students will engage in individual and small group hands-on activities allowing them to develop competence in planning, analysing and manipulative skills identified for assessment purposes. Students are graded against 8 criteria, each representing 3% of their final mark. Only the highest 2 marks for each criteria count towards the final grade.

All students participate in a multidisciplinary project lasting 10-15 hours. Planning must involve all IB students.

External Assessment 76%

Paper 1Multiple-choice questions.
Paper 2Section A consisting of one data-based question and several short answer questions (all compulsory).
Section B consisting of extended response questions. Standard level students choose one question from three, while higher-level students choose two from four.
Paper 3Standard level students answer several short answer questions in each of the two options studied, while higher-level students answer several short answer questions and an extended response question (all compulsory).