IB Chemistry - Study Hub
A public revision hub for IB Chemistry (SL & HL) with a syllabus overview, exam structure, and the highest-priority topics to revise first — from atomic structure and bonding to energetics, kinetics, equilibrium, and organic reaction mechanisms.
What is IB Chemistry?
IB Chemistry is a Group 4 experimental science that explains matter and the changes it undergoes. The first-exams-2025 syllabus is organised under two big ideas — Structure and Reactivity — across six themes: Structure 1 (models of the particulate nature of matter), Structure 2 (models of bonding and structure), Structure 3 (classification of matter), Reactivity 1 (what drives chemical reactions), Reactivity 2 (how much, how fast and how far), and Reactivity 3 (the mechanisms of chemical change). These run across 22 sub-topics, taught around a shared data booklet, the periodic table, and laboratory and data-analysis skills.
Assessment rewards precise method as much as the final answer: balanced equations, correct units and significant figures, energy cycles, reaction mechanisms with curly arrows, and reading information off graphs and spectra. Aimnova covers Chemistry at Standard and Higher Level — HL extends each theme with extra depth — so you can understand the syllabus, prioritise revision, and move into the most repeated exam-style questions at your level.
Subject Group
Group 4 (Sciences)
Available on Aimnova
SL & HL
Teaching Hours
150 (SL) · 240 (HL)
Exam Papers
Paper 1A (MCQ) · Paper 1B (data) · Paper 2 · IA
IB Chemistry Assessment
Paper 1
36%1 h 30 (SL) · 2 h (HL)Two parts in one sitting: Paper 1A is multiple-choice questions across the whole syllabus (30 marks at SL, 40 at HL), and Paper 1B is a set of data-based questions (25 marks at SL, 35 at HL) that assess your experimental and data-analysis skills. No notes; data booklet and periodic table provided.
Paper 2
44%1 h 30 (SL) · 2 h 30 (HL)Short-answer and extended-response questions combining calculation, explanation, mechanisms, and graph or spectra work across all six themes — 50 marks at SL and 90 marks at HL — with the data booklet available.
Internal Assessment
20%The Scientific Investigation: one individual investigation marked on research design, data analysis, conclusion, and evaluation. The same task and 20% weighting at SL and HL (about 10 hours of work at SL, 20 at HL), written up in a report of up to 3,000 words.
IB Chemistry Syllabus - All Themes and Topics
Unit 1: Structure 1: Models of the particulate nature of matter
Unit 2: Structure 2: Models of bonding and structure
Unit 3: Structure 3: Classification of matter
Unit 4: Reactivity 1: What drives chemical reactions?
Unit 5: Reactivity 2: How much, how fast and how far?
Unit 6: Reactivity 3: What are the mechanisms of chemical change?
Free IB Chemistry Study Resources
Data Booklet
Every constant, equation, and reference table given in the chemistry data booklet — know what is provided and what you must apply
Start Studying
Jump into the live Chemistry study flow (SL & HL)
Exam Skills
Paper structures, command terms, and scoring strategy for Chemistry SL and HL
Command Terms
Learn how IB wording (state, deduce, explain, discuss) changes a high-scoring answer
Mock Exams
Full-length Chemistry mock papers under timed conditions
Frequently Asked Questions about IB Chemistry
What does IB Chemistry cover?
The first-exams-2025 syllabus is built around two ideas — Structure and Reactivity — across six themes: Structure 1 (models of the particulate nature of matter, including atomic structure, isotopes, electron configuration, and the mole); Structure 2 (models of bonding and structure — ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding); Structure 3 (classification of matter — the periodic table, organic chemistry, and spectroscopy); Reactivity 1 (what drives reactions — energetics, enthalpy, and entropy); Reactivity 2 (how much, how fast and how far — stoichiometry, kinetics, and equilibrium); and Reactivity 3 (mechanisms of chemical change — acids and bases, redox, and organic mechanisms). HL studies each theme in greater depth.
What is the difference between Chemistry SL and HL?
HL covers every SL theme plus additional higher-level content and extra depth, runs to 240 teaching hours versus 150, and sits longer Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams (Paper 2 is 90 marks at HL versus 50 at SL). Both levels do the same Scientific Investigation for the Internal Assessment (20%). The 2025 syllabus has no Paper 3 and no options.
How is IB Chemistry assessed?
Three external components in two sittings — Paper 1A (multiple choice) and Paper 1B (data analysis) together count 36%, and Paper 2 (structured and extended response) counts 44% — plus the Internal Assessment (20%), an individual Scientific Investigation. A data booklet of constants and reference tables, together with the periodic table, is provided in every paper.
How should I revise IB Chemistry efficiently?
Make sure you can balance equations, work confidently with the mole, and read quantities off graphs (gradient and area), then drill the highest-yield calculations theme by theme with correct units and significant figures. Practise drawing reaction mechanisms and interpreting IR, ¹H NMR, and mass spectra, and use past-paper mark schemes to see exactly what examiners reward for "deduce", "explain", "discuss", and "evaluate".
Start revising IB Chemistry with structure
Use the syllabus overview, data booklet, and live study path to focus on the bonding, energetics, equilibrium, and organic mechanisms the exams test most — at SL and HL.
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