IB Physics Predicted Topics 2026
IB Physics is built around five themes — space, time and motion; the particulate nature of matter; wave behaviour; fields; and nuclear and quantum physics — and the new (first exams 2025) SL course is assessed by a multiple-choice Paper 1A, a data-and-skills Paper 1B, and the structured-question Paper 2, with no Paper 3 or options at SL. The ranking below weights each topic by how often it has appeared in past papers and the marks it carried, so you revise the highest-yield equations and data-booklet skills first.
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IB Physics Notes
Theme-by-theme notes with worked examples across motion, matter, waves, fields, and nuclear physics.
IB Physics Flashcards
Drill the definitions, constants, and data-booklet equations the exam expects you to recall.
IB Physics Exam Skills
Practise MCQ technique, data analysis, and the structured long-answer method examiners reward.
Top Predicted Topics
Experimental Skills
Appeared 46 times in recent past papers (Total: 72 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Forces and Momentum
Appeared 24 times in recent past papers (Total: 35 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Electric and Magnetic Fields
Appeared 22 times in recent past papers (Total: 31 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Fusion and Stars
Appeared 21 times in recent past papers (Total: 36 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Thermal Energy Transfers
Appeared 14 times in recent past papers (Total: 24 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Gravitational Fields
Appeared 13 times in recent past papers (Total: 18 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Current and Circuits
Appeared 12 times in recent past papers (Total: 13 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Greenhouse Effect
Appeared 12 times in recent past papers (Total: 18 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Radioactive Decay
Appeared 10 times in recent past papers (Total: 15 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Motion in Electromagnetic Fields
Appeared 10 times in recent past papers (Total: 16 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Work, Energy and Power
Appeared 9 times in recent past papers (Total: 16 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Gas Laws
Appeared 9 times in recent past papers (Total: 12 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Kinematics
Appeared 9 times in recent past papers (Total: 10 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Structure of the Atom
Appeared 8 times in recent past papers (Total: 11 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Wave Model
Appeared 8 times in recent past papers (Total: 9 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Simple Harmonic Motion
Appeared 8 times in recent past papers (Total: 9 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Wave Phenomena
Appeared 8 times in recent past papers (Total: 13 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Fission
Appeared 6 times in recent past papers (Total: 6 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Doppler Effect
Appeared 5 times in recent past papers (Total: 9 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Standing Waves and Resonance
Appeared 4 times in recent past papers (Total: 7 marks). Last seen in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Are these official IB Physics predictions?
No — they are data-driven forecasts from our own analysis of past Physics papers, not leaked or official IB material. They show which themes and topics have historically appeared most often so you can prioritise; the real exam can sample anywhere across Themes A to E.
How are the Physics predictions calculated?
We count how often each topic has appeared across recent Paper 1 (multiple-choice and data analysis) and Paper 2 (structured) questions, weight it by the marks awarded, and rank topics by that combined score. Because every paper allows the physics data booklet, the equations and constants behind each topic are factored into how to revise them rather than memorise them.
How should I revise with them?
Start with the highest-probability topics, make sure you can locate the right equation in the data booklet and carry units through every calculation, then broaden out. Use the ranking to sequence revision — not to skip themes, since any can appear.
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