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 ComponentOverall weighting (%) DurationFormat and syllabus coverage Paper 1 (theory – core) 2045 minutes 30 multiple-choice on the core Paper 2 (theory – core) 3275 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) 2460 minutes Several short-answer questions in each of the two options (all compulsory) Reports24

HL Assessment specifications ComponentOverall weighting (%) DurationFormat and syllabus coverage Paper 1 (theory – core) 2060 minutes 40 multiple-choice on the core Paper 2 (theory – core) 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) 2075 minutes Several short-answer questions and one extended-response question in each of the 2 options Reports24

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 extended- response 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: 2 x 6 =12 Data collection and processing: 2 x 6=12 Conclusion and evaluation: 2 x 6 =12 Manipulative skills: 1 x 6 =6 Personals skills: 1 x 6 =6 Total: 48 This is scaled at IBCA to give a total out of 24 %