1. Syllabus Content
Stoichiometric relationships
1.1 – Introduction to the particulate nature of matter
1.2 – The mole concept
1.3 – Reacting masses and volumes
Atomic theory
2.1 – The nuclear atom
2.2 – Electron configuration
12.1 – Electrons in atoms
Periodicity
3.1 – Periodic table
3.2 – Periodic trends
13.1 – First-row d-block elements
13.2 – Coloured complexes
Chemical bonding and structure
4.1 – Ionic bonding and structure
4.2 – Covalent bonding
4.3 – Covalent structures
4.4 – Intermolecular forces
4.5 – Metallic bonding
14.1 – Electron domain and molecular geometry
14.2 – Hybridization
Energetics/ Thermodynamics
5.1 – Measuring energy changes
5.2 – Hess’s Law
5.3 – Bond enthalpies
15.1 – Energy cycles
15.2 – Entropy and spontaneity
Chemical kinetics
6.1 – Collision theory and rates of reaction
16.1 – Rate expression and reaction mechanism
16.2 – Activation energy
Equilibrium
7.1 – Equilibrium
17.1 – The equilibrium law
Acids and bases
8.1 – Theories of acids and bases
8.2 – Properties of acids and bases
8.3 – The pH scale
8.4 – Strong and weak acids and bases
8.5 – Acid deposition
18.1 – Lewis acids and bases
18.2 – Calculations involving acids and bases
18.3 – pH curves
Redox processes
9.1 – Oxidation and reduction
9.2 – Electrochemical cells (core)
19.1 – Electrochemical cells (AHL)
Organic chemistry
10.1 – Fundamentals of organic chemistry
10.2 – Functional group chemistry
20.1 – Types of organic reactions
20.2 – Synthetic routes
20.3 – Stereoisomerism
Measurement and data processing
11.1 – Uncertainties and errors in measurement
11.2 – Graphical techniques
11.3 – Spectroscopic identification of organic compounds (core)
21.1 – Spectroscopic identification of organic compounds (AHL)
2. Assessment
Assessment is by means of examination and practical for both higher and standard level chemistry courses.
Examination weighting – 80%
Internal assessment weighting – 20%
2.1 Examination (higher level)
There are three papers:
Paper 1 (multiple choice) – 20%
Paper 2 (structured questions) – 36%
Paper 3 (data and options) – 24%
Total – 80%
Paper 1 (AHL): 1 hour
40 multiple-choice questions on core and AHL, about 15 of which are common with SL.
The questions on paper 1 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
The use of calculators is not permitted.
Students will be provided with a periodic table.
No marks are deducted for incorrect answers.
Weighting: 20%
(40 marks)
Paper 2 (AHL): 2 hours 15 minutes
Short-answer and extended-response questions on the core and AHL material.
Calculators are allowed and a data booklet is provided.
The questions on paper 2 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
Weighting: 36%
(95 marks)
Paper 3 (AHL): 1 hour 15 minutes
Questions on core, AHL and option material.
Section A: one data-based question and several short-answer questions on experimental work.
Section B: short-answer and extended-response questions from one option.
The questions on paper 3 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
Calculators are allowed and data booklets are provided.
Weighting: 24%
(45 marks)
2.2 Examination (standard level)
There are three papers:
Paper 1 (multiple choice) – 20%
Paper 2 (structured questions) – 40%
Paper 3 (data and options) – 20%
Total – 80%
Paper 1 (SL): 45 minutes
30 multiple-choice questions on core, about 15 of which are common with HL.
The questions on paper 1 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
The use of calculators is not permitted.
Students will be provided with a periodic table.
No marks are deducted for incorrect answers
Weighting: 20%
(40 marks)
Paper 2 (SL): 1 hours 15 minutes
Some structured questions and a choice of one from three longer answer questions.
Short-answer and extended-response questions on core material.
The questions on paper 2 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
The use of calculators is permitted. (See calculator section on the OCC.)
A chemistry data booklet is to be provided by the school.
Weighting: 40%
(50 marks)
Paper 3 (SL): 1 hour
This paper will have questions on core and SL option material.
Section A: one data-based question and several short-answer questions on experimental work.
Section B: short-answer and extended-response questions from one option.
The questions on paper 3 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
The use of calculators is permitted. (See calculator section on the OCC.)
A chemistry data booklet is to be provided by the school.
Weighting: 20%
(35 marks)
Examination action verbs
As with all examinations, it is important to know what the examiners require. The IBO releases a list of keywords and what they mean when referring to exam questions.
For example, the word “Draw” is taken to mean “represent by a series of pencil lines and labels (unless specifically told not to do so)” This leaves the students clear as to the actual requirements of the questions. A full list of these so-called action verbs can be found here
3. Specimen/ Examples
Specimen 2009 SL & HL all papers
