IB Biology SL · 2025
5.1 Experimental and data skills
86 past paper questions from 12 papers across 3 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
Starter set across the most-tested skills, with AI marking and model answers.
SL archive · from 2025
5.1 Experimental and data skills
Latest exam session: November 2025
- questions
- 86
- questions
- papers
- 12
- papers
- exam sessions
- 3
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 10
Micro-topics in 5.1 Experimental and data skills
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.
5.1.1
Experimental design: variables & controls
5 questions · in 33% of papersAppears in 4 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (33%), at least once each.
Frequently testedlast Nov 25 P2 TZ3
5.1.10
Sampling & laboratory techniques
8 questions · in 50% of papersAppears in 6 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (50%), at least once each.
Frequently testedlast Nov 25 P2 TZ3
5.1.2
Reliability, replicates & evaluating method
8 questions · in 67% of papersAppears in 8 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (67%), at least once each.
Frequently testedlast Nov 25 P2 TZ3
5.1.3
Magnification, scale bars & microscope measurement
8 questions · in 42% of papersAppears in 5 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (42%), at least once each.
Frequently testedlast Nov 25 P1 TZ3
5.1.4
Reading & interpreting graphs, charts & tables
32 questions · in 100% of papersAppears in 12 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (100%), at least once each.
Frequently testedlast Nov 25 P2 TZ3
5.1.5
Percentage change, ratios & rate from graphs
8 questions · in 58% of papersAppears in 7 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (58%), at least once each.
Frequently testedlast Nov 25 P2 TZ3
5.1.6
Mean, standard deviation & error bars
10 questions · in 50% of papersAppears in 6 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (50%), at least once each.
Frequently testedlast Nov 25 P1 TZ3
5.1.7
Statistical significance: chi-squared & t-test
3 questions · in 17% of papersAppears in 2 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (17%), at least once each.
Regularlast Nov 25 P2 TZ3
5.1.8
Correlation, causation & coefficient of determination
3 questions · in 8% of papersAppears in 1 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (8%), at least once each.
Occasionallast May 25 P1 TZ1
5.1.9
Biodiversity & population indices
1 question · in 8% of papersAppears in 1 of the 12 Biology SL papers analysed (8%), at least once each.
Occasionallast May 25 P1 TZ1
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 10 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2025 |
|---|---|
| 32Reading & interpreting graphs, charts & tables, 2025: 32 questions | |
| 8Reliability, replicates & evaluating method, 2025: 8 questions | |
| 8Percentage change, ratios & rate from graphs, 2025: 8 questions | |
| 10Mean, standard deviation & error bars, 2025: 10 questions |
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Questions on 5.1 Experimental and data skills, by exam session
Which papers asked about 5.1 Experimental and data skills, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
November 2025
10 questions across 4 papers
May 2025
16 questions across 6 papers
Specimen 2025
3 questions across 2 papers
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Biology SL exam sessions are covered for 5.1 Experimental and data skills?
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 5.1 Experimental and data skills topic comes up most?
Reading & interpreting graphs, charts & tables (5.1.4): in 100% of papers, last seen Nov 25 P2 TZ3. Usually "compare", worth about 3.9 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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