ib biology revision page
Various pieces of materials will be found here to help you with your IB Bio Exam.
I also recommend that you check out the Guide to Exam Success page
I also recommend that you check out the Guide to Exam Success page
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Quick Study Resources:
Bring to the exam: a calculator, ruler, pens (black and or blue)!!! You must write in pen for the exam (including the multiple choice)
EXAM CONTENT
All the IB expectations. These can be found at the beginning of each chapter in the textbook or on the IB Biology Guide
Paper 1: /40 marks
For paper 1 you have to answer multiple choice questions on a separate answer sheet. The important thing is to try and keep to 90 seconds per question and if you can't answer it, move on and come back to it later.
The important thing is to take it nice and slow with paper 1, there is no point in rushing as you will not be allowed to start paper 2 until the allocated time is over.
Tips for Paper 1:
If you do end up with loads of extra time at the end, something has gone wrong and you really need to review your answers. The best way to review your answers is to try and answer the question without looking at the answer you already selected; if you do, you will most likely select the same answer again even if it is wrong.
Paper 2: /72 marks
Paper 2 consists of two sections, A and B. Section A is the data response and short answer questions section whereas section B is the long answer or essay section. Make sure that you know the command terms as this will help you guide your answers.
Section A – This is the Data Base and Short Answer Section. You must answer all the questions in this section.
Section B – This is the Long Answer Response Section with choice.
Quality and Clarity Marks
Data analysis
The data analysis section tends to be the most difficult for most students as it involves analysing unknow data. I have always found that looking at the data / graph before reading the paragraph above explaining it is the best way to approach it. Look at the data and try and make sense of it first, look at the labels and try and work out what it is trying to show. Once you have done that, read the explanatory paragraph above it. By doing this, you will be able to visualise what the explanatory paragraph is refering to and it will help to make more sense. Don't forget to underline key points in the text, I'd recommend you do it in pencil so you can change what you underline in case you underline something irrelevant.
Once you have understood the data, start answering questions:
Short answer questions
This is just a set of factual recall questions with a strenuous link to what the data analysis section was about. All you need to do is answer them the best you can. The best advice I can give you is:
Long answer questions
HL students have to answer two questions out of four and SL students have to answer one out of three. There are five areas you need to address: content, layout, quality of prose, linking the sections and priority
1. Content
Make sure you include as much detail as possible when answering each section of the section B question. There are always some obscure points on the markscheme so it is always worth including as much information as you possibly can that is related to the question. Vague statements will rarely get you any marks. When possible, you need to include a diagram as it will help make your point more clearly and help arrange your thoughts. Whenever you draw one, make sure you draw it in pencil and add labels otherwise it's just a pretty picture that's won't be worth any marks.
2. Layout
You can answer the different sections in any order you want but you need to be absolutely clear which section you are answering. At the start of a question, always write the question number and then write the section letter at the start of each section. It is always best to leave a one line space between each section. There is nothing worse than trying to read a question where the order is nonsensical. Before you start writing an answer, get a seperate sheet of paper and do a plan in bullet points. Once you've done that, put the bullet points in order so that your answer will be in a logical and clear order. It will also help you ensure you've included all the information you need to. Don't spend long doing the plan though, no more than a few minutes.
3. Quality of prose
You will notice that the sum of all the subquestions in a question is 18 marks but the question is out of 20. The first of these two hidden marks is the quality of prose which you get if your answer is clear, can be understood just by reading through it once and is free of major spelling mistakes.
4. Linking
The second of the two hidden marks is for linking the subquestions. There is a theme in every question and you need to find that theme. Once you have found the theme, you need to decide the order in which the subquestions will be answered to help explain the theme. You can answer them in any order you want but make sure you have clearly indicated the letter for each subquestion.
To explain the theme and get the second mark, you need to create linking statements:
A quick intoduction before you answer the first subquestion (no more than a few of lines).
At the end of the first subquestion, introduce the second subquestion.
At the start of the second and third subquestion, relate it back to the theme in the introduction and the previous linking statement
At the end of the third subquestion, do a very quick conclusion to wrap-up the theme
5. Priority
You need to prioritise where you will be spending time. Students hoping for a 6 or above need to make sure they do the quality of prose and linking tasks for each question as well as including all the required information. Other students, it's about the amount of time you have available. If you have the time, attempt it but if not, it's not worth a lot of marks in the grand scheme of things. For any student, if you are running out of time, prioritise content as that is worth a lot more marks. If you have dyslexia or another condition that make writing difficult, I wouldn't recommend you spend a lot of time on the quality of prose or linking aspects as that will make your life a lot more difficult for not many marks; just write your answers in bullet points.
Tips for Paper 2:
Rephrase what the question is asking to do... for example:
“Outline the mechanisms used by the ileum epithelial cells to absorb specific food molecules.”
Tips for Paper 2 Section B:
Read the question options carefully and select which you will answer. Your "gut instinct" for which questions to answer might not be the best. Take a few minutes to think of answers to EACH question before selecting the one you feel like you can best respond. Remember, you want to select the question in which you know the most overall about parts A, B and C. Be sure you know what the question is asking. For example, don't answer a question about speciation with a response about the limitations of the term species.
Once you have selected which question you will respond to, begin writing an outline to your response to each part. Play attention to the command terms, so you actually address what the question is asking. The command term "discuss" is one in which students often mistakenly "explain." When asked to discuss, be sure you address alternative hypothesis and/or give arguments for and against a claim. If you are asked to "compare", be sure to include both similarities and differences and to include differences for both items. For example, if asked to compare spermatogenesis and oogenesis, you would not get a point for saying, "spermatogenesis creates 4 sperm." You would get a point for saying, "spermatogenesis creates 4 sperm, whereas oogenesis forms only 1 egg."
Each question includes the maximum number of points possible. As you are drafting your response, predict how points will be awarded on the mark scheme. The general rule of thumb is that the mark scheme used by the assessors will have 1.5X the number of "point earning" ideas as there are points that the question is worth. For example, if a question is worth 5 points, aim for AT LEAST 8 ideas. You will not earn more than 5 points but including extra responses is a good idea (just don't contradict yourself!).
Use the following as a guide:
Write your final response using your outline as a guide. Be sure to use legible handwriting that is dark enough to read from a scanned image. If your response is illegible or not visible, you will not earn points.
Lastly, include a sentence for each prompt (A, B and C) that ties the prompt to the others in the question. You can earn two "quality of construction" points for a response that connects the parts of the question together.
Paper 3: /40
Section A – Experimental Skills and Techniques. These are 2 - 3 short answer questions based on experimental skills and techniques, analysis and evaluation, using unseen data linked to core material.
List of Practicals
1. Using a Microscope and Magnification (Topic 1)
2. Potato Lab/Osmolarity of Tissues (Topic 1)
3. Factors that Affect Enzyme Activity (Topic 2)
4. Separation of Photosynthetic Pigments by Chromatograph (Topic 2)
5. Mesocosms (Topic 4)
6. Ventilation and Exercise (Topic 6)
7. Transpiration Rates (Topic 9)
Section B – Data base, short answer, and 1 long answer response from 1 option of your choice. We covered Option D, Human Physiology in class.
I would highly suggest you to do Option D, Human Physiology. A lot of the information in this section is repeated in Topic 6 which you have to know anyway. Section A1 Human Nutrition is the only section we did not spend a lot of time on (you were asked to make your own notes - did you???)
Remember, there will still be core material that you are required to know for the option you didn’t choose. (For example if you choose to study for Option D and not do Option A, you still need to understand action potentials because appears in the core material) You can learn on your own one of the other options (B, or C) but I wouldn’t suggest it.
Other Exam Notes....
Here's a fun ASAP video with 9 study tips.
- Objectives and command terms
- Hints for a better exam
- Drawings and diagrams in the syllabus
- Graphs in the syllabus
- Analysis and experimental skills in the syllabus
- Named cell types in the syllabus
- Named molecules in the syllabus
- Named scientists in the syllabus
- Named processes in the syllabus
Bring to the exam: a calculator, ruler, pens (black and or blue)!!! You must write in pen for the exam (including the multiple choice)
EXAM CONTENT
All the IB expectations. These can be found at the beginning of each chapter in the textbook or on the IB Biology Guide
- Note: the content from all the categories is fair game (understanding, nature of science, applications, skills)
- Note: we did extra information in some units that you are NOT required to know. Ex: Human Evolution, Hardy Weinberg
Paper 1: /40 marks
For paper 1 you have to answer multiple choice questions on a separate answer sheet. The important thing is to try and keep to 90 seconds per question and if you can't answer it, move on and come back to it later.
The important thing is to take it nice and slow with paper 1, there is no point in rushing as you will not be allowed to start paper 2 until the allocated time is over.
- 40 multiple-choice questions on core and AHL material
- Time Allotted: 1 Hour
- Weight: Work 20% of your IB grade
- Material covers all core and HL material (no exclusively “option” material” - however, some material (such as action potential and synaptic transmission appears in both core/HL and option material)
- NO calculators allowed in the section
- No marks deducted for incorrect answers so take a guess if you don't know the answer.
- The questions on paper 1 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3
- Answer every question! There is no penalty for an incorrect answer. So, narrow down the answer choices, and if you must... then guess!
Tips for Paper 1:
- Read the question carefully. Note important terms. Try and answer the questions before looking at the possible answers to help you narrow your options when you look at the possible answers.
- Cover the answer choices! Try to answer the question before you read the options. This prevents you from becoming “muddled” with wrong answers.
- Eliminate - Eliminate - Eliminate
- If you have no idea, exclude all the ones you know are wrong and then pick the one that looks less wrong. This isn't an ideal situation to be in but the important thing is to not leave any blanks.
- Only change answers if you are ABSOLUTELY SURE the current answer is incorrect. Don’t second guess yourself!
- If you haven’t figured this out yet, rulers are useful when reading graphs. You may also be given magnification problems in which you definitely require a calculator.
- Also, if you have to draw a diagram, use a ruler to label. They like that.
- Avoid patterns (i.e. selecting “C” because there hasn’t been one in a while)
- On the actual exam, you’ll be able to write on the test. Mark it up like crazy!
If you do end up with loads of extra time at the end, something has gone wrong and you really need to review your answers. The best way to review your answers is to try and answer the question without looking at the answer you already selected; if you do, you will most likely select the same answer again even if it is wrong.
Paper 2: /72 marks
Paper 2 consists of two sections, A and B. Section A is the data response and short answer questions section whereas section B is the long answer or essay section. Make sure that you know the command terms as this will help you guide your answers.
- Database, Short Answer, and Long Answer Paper
- Time allotted: 2 hr and 15 min
- The questions on paper 2 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3
- Weight: 36% of your IB grade
- Material covers all core and HL material (no exclusively “option” material”)
- BRING A CALCULATOR AND A RULER!!!!!
Section A – This is the Data Base and Short Answer Section. You must answer all the questions in this section.
- Data Base: Expect multiple Data Base questions (or one long one with multiple diagrams). In the 2014 exams, 15 marks came from data base alone and it went on for 7 pages. Remember to answer what the question is asking (look for key words, like “identify” or “describe” or “compare”)
- Short Answer: You may be also be asked to label and or annotate diagrams here, complete punnet squares.
Section B – This is the Long Answer Response Section with choice.
- You will be presented with 3 questions (with multiple parts to them). Choose 2 questions to respond to.
- Each questions is worth 15 marks
- There is an additional 1 mark per question for quality and clarity.
- This is where you might see “draw and label” questions. See the home page for possible "draw and label" questions.
Quality and Clarity Marks
- Write neatly and clearly and in a size that does not require a magnifying glass to read
- Do NOT ramble. Be concise.
- Stay on topic and focused (do not just starting talking about everything you know about the general topic)
- Your answer should have a logical flow. The examiner should only have to read your answer ONCE
Data analysis
The data analysis section tends to be the most difficult for most students as it involves analysing unknow data. I have always found that looking at the data / graph before reading the paragraph above explaining it is the best way to approach it. Look at the data and try and make sense of it first, look at the labels and try and work out what it is trying to show. Once you have done that, read the explanatory paragraph above it. By doing this, you will be able to visualise what the explanatory paragraph is refering to and it will help to make more sense. Don't forget to underline key points in the text, I'd recommend you do it in pencil so you can change what you underline in case you underline something irrelevant.
Once you have understood the data, start answering questions:
- Don't bother with pretty long sentences where you repeat the question, you have a finite amount of space available.
- There are no marks for the quality of prose so if you are running out of time or have writing difficulties (such as dyslexia) just answer in very short sentences or bullet points
- If there is a comparison element, always make clear which one you are referring to.
- It is always hard to tell what the markscheme is after exactly so try and include as much information as possible.
- As it is a data analysis section, try to refer to data when possible and don't forget to use units!
Short answer questions
This is just a set of factual recall questions with a strenuous link to what the data analysis section was about. All you need to do is answer them the best you can. The best advice I can give you is:
- Do not bother with pretty long sentences where you repeat the questions, you have a finite amount of space available.
- There are no marks for the quality of prose so if you are running out of time or have writing difficulties (such as dyslexia) just answer in very short sentences or bullet points.
- If there is a comparison element, always make clear which one you are referring to.
Long answer questions
HL students have to answer two questions out of four and SL students have to answer one out of three. There are five areas you need to address: content, layout, quality of prose, linking the sections and priority
1. Content
Make sure you include as much detail as possible when answering each section of the section B question. There are always some obscure points on the markscheme so it is always worth including as much information as you possibly can that is related to the question. Vague statements will rarely get you any marks. When possible, you need to include a diagram as it will help make your point more clearly and help arrange your thoughts. Whenever you draw one, make sure you draw it in pencil and add labels otherwise it's just a pretty picture that's won't be worth any marks.
2. Layout
You can answer the different sections in any order you want but you need to be absolutely clear which section you are answering. At the start of a question, always write the question number and then write the section letter at the start of each section. It is always best to leave a one line space between each section. There is nothing worse than trying to read a question where the order is nonsensical. Before you start writing an answer, get a seperate sheet of paper and do a plan in bullet points. Once you've done that, put the bullet points in order so that your answer will be in a logical and clear order. It will also help you ensure you've included all the information you need to. Don't spend long doing the plan though, no more than a few minutes.
3. Quality of prose
You will notice that the sum of all the subquestions in a question is 18 marks but the question is out of 20. The first of these two hidden marks is the quality of prose which you get if your answer is clear, can be understood just by reading through it once and is free of major spelling mistakes.
4. Linking
The second of the two hidden marks is for linking the subquestions. There is a theme in every question and you need to find that theme. Once you have found the theme, you need to decide the order in which the subquestions will be answered to help explain the theme. You can answer them in any order you want but make sure you have clearly indicated the letter for each subquestion.
To explain the theme and get the second mark, you need to create linking statements:
A quick intoduction before you answer the first subquestion (no more than a few of lines).
At the end of the first subquestion, introduce the second subquestion.
At the start of the second and third subquestion, relate it back to the theme in the introduction and the previous linking statement
At the end of the third subquestion, do a very quick conclusion to wrap-up the theme
5. Priority
You need to prioritise where you will be spending time. Students hoping for a 6 or above need to make sure they do the quality of prose and linking tasks for each question as well as including all the required information. Other students, it's about the amount of time you have available. If you have the time, attempt it but if not, it's not worth a lot of marks in the grand scheme of things. For any student, if you are running out of time, prioritise content as that is worth a lot more marks. If you have dyslexia or another condition that make writing difficult, I wouldn't recommend you spend a lot of time on the quality of prose or linking aspects as that will make your life a lot more difficult for not many marks; just write your answers in bullet points.
Tips for Paper 2:
Rephrase what the question is asking to do... for example:
“Outline the mechanisms used by the ileum epithelial cells to absorb specific food molecules.”
- OUTLINE: give a brief account or summary
- MECHANISMS: processes or functions of
- ILEUM: small intestine
- EPITHELIAL CELLS: cells that line the surface
- ABSORB: take in
- SPECIFIC … MOLECULES: named example molecules
Tips for Paper 2 Section B:
Read the question options carefully and select which you will answer. Your "gut instinct" for which questions to answer might not be the best. Take a few minutes to think of answers to EACH question before selecting the one you feel like you can best respond. Remember, you want to select the question in which you know the most overall about parts A, B and C. Be sure you know what the question is asking. For example, don't answer a question about speciation with a response about the limitations of the term species.
Once you have selected which question you will respond to, begin writing an outline to your response to each part. Play attention to the command terms, so you actually address what the question is asking. The command term "discuss" is one in which students often mistakenly "explain." When asked to discuss, be sure you address alternative hypothesis and/or give arguments for and against a claim. If you are asked to "compare", be sure to include both similarities and differences and to include differences for both items. For example, if asked to compare spermatogenesis and oogenesis, you would not get a point for saying, "spermatogenesis creates 4 sperm." You would get a point for saying, "spermatogenesis creates 4 sperm, whereas oogenesis forms only 1 egg."
Each question includes the maximum number of points possible. As you are drafting your response, predict how points will be awarded on the mark scheme. The general rule of thumb is that the mark scheme used by the assessors will have 1.5X the number of "point earning" ideas as there are points that the question is worth. For example, if a question is worth 5 points, aim for AT LEAST 8 ideas. You will not earn more than 5 points but including extra responses is a good idea (just don't contradict yourself!).
Use the following as a guide:
- Define any key terms in the question.
- Where does the process happen? In what type of cell? In what system? Where in the ecosystem?
- What happens? What is the outcome of the process?
- How does the process happen? Think of drafting a flow chart to show the process.
- When does the process happen? What triggers the event?
- Why is this process important? What is the reason, purpose, and/or benefit?
- Given an example.
- Draw a labeled diagram.
- Are there any pros/cons? Alternatives? Limitations?
Write your final response using your outline as a guide. Be sure to use legible handwriting that is dark enough to read from a scanned image. If your response is illegible or not visible, you will not earn points.
Lastly, include a sentence for each prompt (A, B and C) that ties the prompt to the others in the question. You can earn two "quality of construction" points for a response that connects the parts of the question together.
Paper 3: /40
- Time allotted: hour and 15 minutes
- Weight: 24% of your IB grade
- The questions on paper 3 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3
- Bring a calculator and a ruler for this paper as well.
Section A – Experimental Skills and Techniques. These are 2 - 3 short answer questions based on experimental skills and techniques, analysis and evaluation, using unseen data linked to core material.
- Review the 7 practicals for this section. Click on the link to view a document to review the 7 practicals.
- You must answer all the questions in this section.
List of Practicals
1. Using a Microscope and Magnification (Topic 1)
2. Potato Lab/Osmolarity of Tissues (Topic 1)
3. Factors that Affect Enzyme Activity (Topic 2)
4. Separation of Photosynthetic Pigments by Chromatograph (Topic 2)
5. Mesocosms (Topic 4)
6. Ventilation and Exercise (Topic 6)
7. Transpiration Rates (Topic 9)
Section B – Data base, short answer, and 1 long answer response from 1 option of your choice. We covered Option D, Human Physiology in class.
I would highly suggest you to do Option D, Human Physiology. A lot of the information in this section is repeated in Topic 6 which you have to know anyway. Section A1 Human Nutrition is the only section we did not spend a lot of time on (you were asked to make your own notes - did you???)
Remember, there will still be core material that you are required to know for the option you didn’t choose. (For example if you choose to study for Option D and not do Option A, you still need to understand action potentials because appears in the core material) You can learn on your own one of the other options (B, or C) but I wouldn’t suggest it.
Other Exam Notes....
- Write in the boxes. Sometimes the exams are photocopied and sent to various markers. If you write out of the boxes, some of that info may not get passed on. You can ask for additional paper if your response is lengthy
- You may write in point form, however, make sure you complete your thoughts!!!!
- ex: Don't say " Substrate- level phosphorylation is indirect and oxidative phosphorylation is direct". What does that mean????? Indirect what? Direct what?
- IB does not award half marks, so be complete in your answer (especially in comparison questions)
- Even though they don’t award half marks, sometimes questions are worth half a mark. For example a question asking you to draw and label the digestive system may only be worth 5 marks, meaning they want you to label 10 items. If you correctly identify 8 items, you would receive a 4 out of 5. If you identify 9 items, you would still only receive a 4 out of 5.
- Make T-charts in comparison questions and make your points line up.
- Don't ramble, however, if you know you are supposed to make 4 points about something make 5, just in case they don't accept one of your points. Do not contradict yourself.
- Don't be afraid to draw diagrams.
- Review the command terms before the exam.
Here's a fun ASAP video with 9 study tips.
