IB Diploma Programme
IB Physics HL and SL
The current IB Physics course, first examined in 2025, is organised into five themes. HL and SL share the same structure, with HL adding extra content and longer papers.
- Paper 1 (1A + 1B)
- HL 2 hours, 60 marks, 36%
- Paper 2
- HL 2 hours 30 min, 90 marks, 44%
- Internal assessment
- Scientific investigation, 24 marks, 20%
- Themes
- 5 (A to E), first examined 2025
Papers, marks and weightings
| Component | HL | SL |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1A (multiple choice) | 40 questions · 40 marks | 25 questions · 25 marks |
| Paper 1B (data-based) | 20 marks | 20 marks |
| Paper 1 total | 2 hours · 60 marks · 36% | 1 hour 30 min · 45 marks · 36% |
| Paper 2 (short and extended answers) | 2 hours 30 min · 90 marks · 44% | 1 hour 30 min · 50 marks · 44% |
| Scientific investigation (IA) | 10 hours · 24 marks · 20% | 10 hours · 24 marks · 20% |
A calculator and the physics data booklet are allowed in all papers. Teaching time: 240 hours at HL, 150 at SL. HL students study the additional higher level (AHL) content in every theme.
Syllabus: the five themes
| Theme | Topics | HL adds |
|---|---|---|
| A. Space, time and motion | Kinematics; forces and momentum; work, energy and power | Rigid body mechanics; Galilean and special relativity |
| B. The particulate nature of matter | Thermal energy transfers; greenhouse effect; gas laws; current and circuits | Thermodynamics |
| C. Wave behaviour | Simple harmonic motion; wave model; wave phenomena; standing waves and resonance; Doppler effect | Extended SHM, wave phenomena and Doppler content |
| D. Fields | Gravitational fields; electric and magnetic fields; motion in electromagnetic fields | Induction, plus extended field content |
| E. Nuclear and quantum physics | Structure of the atom; radioactive decay; fission; fusion and stars | Quantum physics, plus extended atomic and decay content |
The EuclidCurve Road to 7
Our model for a 7 in Physics HL: live 1:1 online teaching, a question bank tagged to every syllabus point, and a data loop that decides what each student works on next.
- Every question is data: Each answer a student marks as Got it, Partly or Missed updates their mastery of that Physics HL syllabus point.
- Weakness × exam weight: The next lesson targets the syllabus points that are both weak and most often examined in past papers, so time goes where the marks are.
- Bank the IA: The internal assessment is 20% of the grade and is finished before exam revision, so a strong IA takes pressure off the final papers.
Diagnose (Week 1)
A diagnostic test and the EuclidCurve MindMap show which syllabus points are secure and which are costing marks.
Your tutor: Read the diagnostic and MindMap; set the three weakest, most-examined syllabus points as the first targets.
Learn the idea (DP1)
Each theme starts with EuclidCurve concept cards and interactive physics simulations (motion, oscillations, fields), so the physics makes sense before the exam questions begin.
Your tutor: Teach the idea 1:1, then two straightforward questions before moving on.
Drill by syllabus point (DP1 – DP2)
Past-paper and EuclidCurve questions filtered to one syllabus point at a time, from straightforward to full exam level, each with a worked markscheme.
Your tutor: Set 8–10 questions on one syllabus point from the dashboard, easy to exam level.
Fix every gap (Every week)
Misses build a personal path of similar questions. The weekly 1:1 lesson and marked homework go straight to the biggest gaps.
Your tutor: Open the student's Missed list before each lesson; reteach, then set similar questions as homework.
Bank the IA (End DP1 – DP2 term 1)
The internal assessment is planned, drafted and finished early, aiming for the top band in every criterion.
Your tutor: Agree the topic by the end of DP1; review a plan, one full draft and the final version against the criteria.
Exam conditions (DP2)
Timed Paper 1A, 1B and Paper 2 practice under real exam conditions, marked against the official markscheme, with extra work on graphs, data analysis and uncertainties.
Your tutor: One timed paper every 2–3 weeks; mark it with the markscheme and log each lost mark as method, accuracy or time.
Final sprint (Last 8 weeks)
Mixed full papers, a review of where marks are lost (units, significant figures, explanations, time) and a day-by-day revision plan for the final weeks.
Your tutor: Weekly full papers; spend lesson time only on the syllabus points losing the most marks.
Internal assessment: 20% of the Physics HL grade
The scientific investigation is about 10 hours of practical work written up in at most 3,000 words. It is marked by the teacher against fixed criteria, so every mark can be planned for.
- Research design: 6 marks
- Data analysis: 6 marks
- Conclusion: 6 marks
- Evaluation: 6 marks
Extended essay: the core points
The extended essay (4,000 words, about 40 hours) does not count towards the subject grade. It is graded A to E and, together with Theory of Knowledge, earns up to 3 of the 45 Diploma points. Students who write it in their strongest subject also deepen the understanding the exams reward.
- A Physics EE investigates one research question experimentally or with data, for example in mechanics, waves or thermal physics.
- We help design a question that can be measured well and analysed with proper uncertainties.
IB Physics on EuclidCurve
Enrolled students practise IB Physics HL and SL questions by theme and by paper, alongside one-to-one tutoring. Access is by invitation: contact us to discuss joining.
Frequently asked questions
How is IB Physics HL assessed?
Paper 1 (1A multiple choice and 1B data-based, 2 hours, 60 marks) is worth 36%, Paper 2 (2 hours 30 minutes, 90 marks) is worth 44% and the scientific investigation (IA) is worth 20%.
What are the IB Physics themes?
Space, time and motion; the particulate nature of matter; wave behaviour; fields; and nuclear and quantum physics.
How does EuclidCurve prepare students for a 7?
Through the EuclidCurve Road to 7: a diagnostic, concept cards and simulations, drills by syllabus point, weekly 1:1 online lessons targeting gaps, early IA guidance and timed papers marked against the official markscheme.