IB Biology SL · 2025

1.8 Evolution and speciation

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SL archive · from 2025

1.8 Evolution and speciation

Latest exam session: November 2025

questions
20
questions
papers
12
papers
exam sessions
3
exam sessions
micro-topics
4

Micro-topics in 1.8 Evolution and speciation

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.

  • 50

    1.8.2

    Evidence for evolution

    6 questions · in 50% of papersAppears in 6 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (50%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last Nov 25 P2 TZ1

  • 33

    1.8.3

    Variation and natural selection

    5 questions · in 33% of papersAppears in 4 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (33%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last May 25 P2 TZ1

  • 58

    1.8.4

    Speciation and reproductive isolation

    8 questions · in 58% of papersAppears in 7 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (58%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last Nov 25 P2 TZ3

  • 8

    1.8.5

    Patterns of speciation and diversification

    1 question · in 8% of papersAppears in 1 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (8%), at least once each.

    Occasional

    last Spec 25 P1

Exam pattern

How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.

Does it repeat?

Questions per year for each micro-topic.

fewermore

Micro-topic2025
1.8.4Speciation and reproductive isolationFrequently tested
8Speciation and reproductive isolation, 2025: 8 questions
1.8.2Evidence for evolutionFrequently tested
6Evidence for evolution, 2025: 6 questions
1.8.3Variation and natural selectionFrequently tested
5Variation and natural selection, 2025: 5 questions
1.8.5Patterns of speciation and diversificationOccasional
1Patterns of speciation and diversification, 2025: 1 question
  • Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years
  • Occasionalin about one paper in ten

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Questions on 1.8 Evolution and speciation, by exam session

Which papers asked about 1.8 Evolution and speciation, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Biology SL exam sessions are covered for 1.8 Evolution and speciation?

3 exam sessions from 2025, the latest November 2025. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 12 papers in this archive.

Which 1.8 Evolution and speciation topic comes up most?

Speciation and reproductive isolation (1.8.4): in 58% of papers, last seen Nov 25 P2 TZ3. Usually "explain / justify", worth about 2.9 marks in a paper that includes it.

Can I see the original question and mark scheme?

No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.

What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?

Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.

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