Essential information

• The SL examination assesses experimental techniques in Section A and the core content of each of the options in Section B. The HL examination assesses experimental techniques in Section A and the core and AHL content of the options in Section B.
   
• The examination takes place on the day (morning) after Paper 1 and Paper 2 have been taken.
   
• The SL exam lasts for 1 hour. Section A will contain several questions, one of which is a data-based question. The total mark for Section A is 15 marks. For Section B students must choose one option out of a choice of four. Each option consists of several short answer questions and may include an extended response question. The total marks for each option is 20 marks making a maximum of 35 marks for the whole paper.
   
• The HL exam lasts for 1 hour 15 minutes.  Section A will contain several questions, one of which is a data-based question. The total mark for Section A is 15 marks. For Section B students must choose one option out of a choice of four. Each option consists of several short answer questions and may include an extended response question. The ratio of questions on the core to the AHL will be approximately 60:40.  The total marks for each option is 30 marks making a maximum of 45 marks for the whole paper.
   
• References to specific experimental techniques in the questions after the data response question in Section A will be limited to the mandatory experiments listed in the 'Application and skills' sections of the guide.
   
• To help ensure comparability in Section B, questions in all the four options will focus on the four main areas of each option - quantitative, organic, analytical and environmental.
   
• A calculator (programmable/graphic display calculators are permitted) is required and a clean copy of the IB Chemistry Data Booklet is supplied.  A simple translation dictionary can be used by non-native English (or French or Spanish) speakers.
   
• The examination tests 50% objectives 1 and 2 and 50% objective 3.
   
• The number of marks available for each sub-question is given.
   
• There is a five minute reading time before the examination starts.
   
• All questions are in the form of commands using the command terms listed in the IB Chemistry Subject Guide.
   
• All the answers must be recorded in the boxes provided on the examination paper. If more space is required then additional answer sheets should be attached and a note made in the box that the answer continues elsewhere. This is because the exam is e-marked and both the person scanning and the examiner need to be aware that your answer is continued outside the box otherwise it may not get seen.
   
• Until May 2011 candidates could be penalised by one mark on the whole paper if they omitted or used the wrong units for an answer and could also be penalised by one mark on the whole paper if they gave an answer to the incorrect number of significant figures. Since the introduction of e-marking this is no longer the case. Candidates are not penalised for errors in units or significant figures, unless it is specifically referred to in the markscheme and only one mark can be lost for the wrong use of significant figures on the whole paper. Units are normally no longer a problem as the units are detailed in the question e.g. "Calculate the volume, in dm³, of tap water from experiment 8 which would exceed this daily lead intake for an 80.0 kg man."(M19HLP3TZ2Qu1(c)(ii)) or "Determine from the graph the rate, in cm³ s⁻¹, showing your working." (M19HLP3TZ2Qu2(a)).
   
• Candidates must show their working for answers involving calculations.
   
• At the end of the examination the extra sheets should be attached and the number of extra sheets recorded on the front cover. The option answered should be recorded in the appropriate place.

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