IB past paper analysis

Chemistry HL
May 2026 · Paper 1 · TZ2

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  • 40questions
  • 75marks
  • 64question parts
  • 38micro-topics

What this paper tests

Mark distribution

  • Reactivity 2: How much, how fast and how far?33%
  • Reactivity 1: What drives chemical reactions?20%
  • Structure 1: Models of the particulate nature of matter15%
  • Reactivity 3: What are the mechanisms of chemical change?13%
  • Structure 2: Models of bonding and structure11%
  • Structure 3: Classification of matter8%

Hardest areas (by marks)

    Question types

    identify: 63%explain / justify: 13%find / solve: 8%write down / state: 6%0%
    • identify63%
    • explain / justify13%
    • find / solve8%
    • write down / state6%

    0% of parts are show / prove.

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    Questions in this paper

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    Good to know

    Can I download Chemistry HL May 2026 TZ2 Paper 1 here?

    No. The paper and its mark scheme belong to the IB and are not reproduced. This page gives the structure of every question (marks, command term, micro-topic, the skill tested), the exam analysis, and practice questions we wrote to test the same skills. Subscribers can also open our summary of how each part's marks are awarded.

    Which topics dominate May 2026 TZ2 Paper 1?

    Reactivity 2: How much, how fast and how far? 33% (typical 23%), Reactivity 1: What drives chemical reactions? 20% (typical 12%), Structure 1: Models of the particulate nature of matter 15% (typical 17%).

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