IB past paper analysis

Physics HL
May 2026 · Paper 1 · TZ3

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  • 40questions
  • 60marks
  • 53question parts
  • 44micro-topics

What this paper tests

Mark distribution

  • Space, time and motion27%
  • The particulate nature of matter17%
  • Experimental skills17%
  • Nuclear and quantum physics15%
  • Fields13%
  • Wave behaviour12%

Hardest areas (by marks)

  1. 1.Buoyancy & Archimedes' principle3 marks
  2. 2.Uncertainties & error propagation2 marks
  3. 3.Conservation of angular momentum1 marks

Question types

find / solve: 55%identify: 32%explain / justify: 8%write down / state: 4%0%
  • find / solve55%
  • identify32%
  • explain / justify8%
  • write down / state4%

0% of parts are show / prove.

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Questions in this paper

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Where to go next

Good to know

Can I download Physics HL May 2026 TZ3 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 TZ3 Paper 1?

Space, time and motion 27% (typical 21%), The particulate nature of matter 17% (typical 15%), Experimental skills 17% (typical 11%).

How do I practise this paper without the paper?

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