IBO
Biology
General
information
SL group 4 curriculum model
Theory
Core: 180 hours
2 Options: 30 hours
(Human diet, ecology and conversation)
Practical work
Investigations: 30 hours
Group 4 project: 10 hours
HL group 4 curriculum model
Theory
Core: 80 hours
Additional higher level: 55 hours
2 Options: 45 hours
(Ecology and conservation, Further human
physiology)
Practical work
Investigations: 50 hours
Group 4 project: 10 hours
SL Assessment specifications
Component
Overall
weighting (%)
Duration
Format and syllabus
coverage
Paper 1
(theory – core)
20
45 minutes
30 multiple-choice on the
core
Paper 2
(theory – core)
32
75 minutes
Section A:
one data-based question
and several short-anwer
questions on the core
Section B:
One extended-response
question on the core
Paper 3
(2 options)
24
60 minutes
Several short-answer
questions in each of the
two options (all
compulsory)
Reports
24
HL Assessment specifications
Component
Overall
weighting (%)
Duration
Format and syllabus
coverage
Paper 1
(theory – core)
20
60 minutes
40 multiple-choice on
the core
Paper 2
(theory – core)
36
135 minutes
Section A:
one data-based question
and several short-anwer
questions on the core
and AHL
Section B:
One extended-response
question on the core and
AHL
Paper 3
(2 options)
20
75 minutes
Several short-answer
questions and one
extended-response
question in each of the 2
options
Reports
24
Paper 1
• Made up of multiple-choice questions that test knowledge
of the core
• The questions are designed to be short, one or two-stage
problems
• No marks are deducted for incorect responses
• Calculators are not permitted, but students are expected to
carry out simple calculations
Paper 2
• Tests knowledge of the core (for student SL) and the core
and AHL for students HL
• A calculator is required for this paper
• Paper is divided into 2 sections:
» Section A, there is a data-based question that requires
students to analyse a given set of data
» Section B, students SL are required to answer 1 question
from a choice of 3, and students at HL are required to
answer 2 questions from a choice of 4. These extendedresponse questions may involve writing a number of
paragraphs, solving a problem, or carryimg out a piece of
analysis or evaluation
Paper 3
• Tests knowledge of the options
• Students at SL are required to answer several short-answer
questions in each of the 2 options
• Students at HL are required to answer several short-answer
questions and extended-response question in each of the 2
options
• A calculator is required for this paper
Internal assessment criteria
There are 5 assessments criteria that are used to assess the work
of both SL and HL students:
» Design (D)
» Data collection and processing (D&P)
» Conclusion and evaluation (C&E)
» Manipulative skills (MS)
» Personal skills (PS)
• The first three criteria are each assessed twice
• Manipulative skills is assessed summatively over the
whole course and the assessment should be based on a
wide range of manipulative skills
• Personal skills is assessed once only and this will be during
the group 4 project
The maximum mark for each criterion is 6
Design:
Data collection and processing:
Conclusion and evaluation:
Manipulative skills:
Personals skills:
2 x 6 =12
2 x 6=12
2 x 6 =12
1 x 6 =6
1 x 6 =6
Total: 48
This is scaled at IBCA to give a total out of 24 %