Is IB Physics HL harder than A-Level H2 Physics?

They are comparable in depth but differ in structure. IB Physics HL no longer has options, so every student covers the same breadth. H2 Physics (SEAB 9478) includes a dedicated Paper 4 practical exam, while IB relies on a 20% IA investigation instead. IB Paper 2 emphasises multi-topic synthesis more heavily, whereas H2 Physics papers tend to test topics in more isolated blocks. Students strong in lab write-ups may find IB more rewarding; those who prefer structured practicals may prefer H2.

What changed in the new IB Physics syllabus?

The most significant change is the removal of Paper 3 and all options (Astrophysics, Engineering Physics, etc.). The new syllabus (first exams May 2025) consolidates everything into Paper 1 (MCQ + data) and Paper 2 (extended response), both weighted more heavily. HL additional content is integrated into the main themes rather than taught as separate options. The IA structure is unchanged at 20%.

How many teaching hours is IB Physics?

SL requires 150 teaching hours, while HL requires 240 teaching hours. Both levels allocate an additional approximately 10 hours for the IA investigation. In practice, HL students should expect significant independent study time beyond scheduled lessons - especially for the fields and quantum themes.

Which IB Physics topics should I study first?

Start with Theme A (Space, Time and Motion) because SUVAT kinematics and Newton's laws are foundational for everything else. Then move to Theme B (Particulate Nature of Matter) for thermodynamics, followed by Theme C (Wave Behaviour). Save Theme D (Fields) and Theme E (Nuclear and Quantum) for later - they build on concepts from the earlier themes and are more abstract.

Do I need IB Physics for engineering at NUS/NTU?

Yes - both NUS College of Design and Engineering (CDE) and NTU engineering programmes require Physics at HL or SL level. NUS CDE typically expects Physics HL for competitive programmes like Engineering Science. Some programmes accept SL Physics if paired with Maths AA HL. Always verify with the specific faculty's admissions page, as requirements can change by intake year.

How do I prepare for the IB Physics IA?

Choose a simple, measurable experiment you can complete in 10 hours - a pendulum period vs length investigation with high-speed video often scores better than an ambitious cloud-chamber project that lacks data depth. Focus on uncertainty analysis: use LINEST in a spreadsheet to get gradient with standard error, and propagate percentage uncertainties through your calculations. Clear communication and honest evaluation of limitations earn more marks than flashy setups.

Can I use a graphing calculator in IB Physics exams?

Yes - calculators are permitted in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Use an IB-approved GDC (TI-84 Plus CE or CASIO fx-CG50 are most common). Practise using the statistics and regression functions, as data-analysis questions in Paper 1 can be solved faster with calculator fluency. ---

Study guide13 Jul 2025, 00:00 Z

IB Physics Syllabus 2026: Topics, Assessment & Study Guide

In one line

The new IB Physics guide (first teaching 2023, first exams May 2025) collapses the old options, merges the HL & SL routes into a single Paper 1 + Paper 2 + Internal Assessment (IA) model, and shifts all practical skills into one 10-hour investigation worth twenty percent of the grade.

Key points

Parents of Integrated-Programme students: early mastery of data analysis, spreadsheet LINEST and multi-topic synthesis now outweighs memorising niche option facts.

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Last updated 30 Nov 2025

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Quick IB Physics Map
1 What Exactly Changed?
2 Assessment Weights & Format
3 Five Concept Cliffs (with Fix-Its)

Q: What does International Baccalaureate (IB) Physics Syllabus: 2025/26 Guide cover?
A: Your one-page reference to the re-imagined IB Physics curriculum (first examinations May 2025): paper weights, option-free structure.

TL;DR
The new IB Physics guide (first teaching 2023, first exams May 2025) collapses the old options, merges the HL & SL routes into a single Paper 1 + Paper 2 + Internal Assessment (IA) model, and shifts all practical skills into one 10-hour investigation worth twenty percent of the grade. Parents of Integrated-Programme students: early mastery of data analysis, spreadsheet LINEST and multi-topic synthesis now outweighs memorising niche option facts.

If you also follow Singapore’s A-Level pathway, cross-reference the refreshed H2 Physics notes hub to see how IB topics line up with local JC benchmarks for students juggling dual requirements.

Status: IB Physics subject guide (first assessment 2025) checked 2025-11-30 - Paper 1/2 + single 10 h IA model remains; options stay removed; 20% IA weight unchanged.

IP students: for a structured bridge from Year 3–4 foundations into H2/IB-style questions, start with our IP Physics tuition hub.

Quick IB Physics Map

Read time	What to take away
1 second	IB Physics now uses a common theme structure and a 20% IA.
10 seconds	Options are removed, so students need broad coverage plus strong data and modelling skills.
100 seconds	Prepare by connecting each concept to graphs, assumptions, uncertainty, and experiment design because IB Physics rewards explanation and evidence, not formula recall alone.
Concrete example	In waves, revise superposition, interference, graph interpretation, and how a practical setup measures wavelength.

Old (2016-22)	New (first exams 2025)
Paper 1 (MCQ) thirty percent + Paper 2 (Extended) thirty-six percent + Paper 3 (Options) twenty-four percent + IA twenty percent	Paper 1 (MCQ + data) thirty percent + Paper 2 (Extended) fifty percent + Options removed - every student sits identical content
HL had 60 h "additional higher level" topics	HL keeps same themes but dives deeper; no separate options

Component	HL weight	SL weight	Exam focus
Paper 1 - 30 MCQ + data section	Thirty percent	Thirty percent	Fast retrieval, graph literacy
Paper 2 - short + long response	Fifty percent	Fifty percent	Multi-topic synthesis; algebra & units
Internal Assessment - 10 h investigation, ≤ 2 500 words	Twenty percent	Twenty percent	Design -> data -> LINEST gradient ± SE

Cliff	Symptom	One-line remedy
Fields ↔ energy landscape	Treats equipotential as path; sign flip in $E = -\nabla V$	Sketch equipotential and field lines on the same grid to grasp gradient direction.
Thermal ↔ molecular link	Quotes $pV = nRT$ but can't explain microscopic KE	Use Boltzmann story: $\tfrac32 kT$ per degree freedom; map to macroscopic work.
Spreadsheet uncertainty	Writes "half-range" for every spread; forgets SE	Run `=LINEST(y,x,TRUE,TRUE)` once; record gradient ± SE and convert to percentage uncertainty.
IA scope-creep	Picks double-slit diffraction -> 20 h data crunch	Apply 3-question feasibility filter: measurable? controllable? 10 h cap?
Timed-paper stamina	Leaves last twenty percent of Paper 2 blank	Drill 90 min mixed sets at 1.5 min·mark⁻¹ pacing.

IB Physics	H2 Physics (SEAB)	IP Year 3/4
One twenty percent IA, no practical paper	twenty percent Paper 4 practical	WA practical posters (ten to fifteen percent)
Options removed, no external choice	Mandatory core + planning/data Qs	Concept taster (e.g., fields) two years early
Global 7-point scale $HL mean ≈ 4.9$	Alphabetic $≈ forty-one percent distinctions$	GPA or MSG

Academic window	Priority moves
DP Y1 Term 1	Print guide; catalogue unknown terms; run vector-units sprint.
Term 2	First data-handling MCQ drill (Paper 1 B).
Jun break	Mini-IA feasibility test; pilot 3 runs of chosen experiment.
Y1 T3-T4	Full Paper 1 (50 min) + Paper 2 Section A under timing; error journal.
DP Y2 Term 1	Locked IA draft -> teacher feedback; LINEST + percentage uncertainty table.
Term 2	Past-paper loop every fortnight $1 \times P1 + 1 \times P2$ .
Pre-exam	Two 2.5 h sittings back-to-back (simulate real timetable).

IB Physics Syllabus 2026: Topics, Assessment & Study Guide

Quick IB Physics Map

1 What Exactly Changed?

2 Assessment Weights & Format

3 Five Concept Cliffs (with Fix-Its)

4 Theme-by-Theme Snapshot

4.1 Space, Time & Motion

4.2 Particulate Nature of Matter

4.3 Wave Behaviour

4.4 Fields

4.5 Nuclear & Quantum

5 Internal Assessment (IA) Essentials

6 Comparison with A-Level & IP Tracks

7 Year-by-Year Prep Timeline (HL route)

8 Paper-by-Paper Breakdown

9 Frequently Asked Questions

Further Reading & Practice

Related Posts

Paper	SL Weighting	HL Weighting	Duration (SL / HL)	Format
Paper 1	30%	30%	45 min / 1 hr	MCQ + data-based questions
Paper 2	50%	50%	75 min / 2 hr 15 min	Short-answer + extended response (multi-topic synthesis)
IA	20%	20%	10 hours	Individual investigation (design, data, analysis, report)