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CHEMISTRY · IB Diploma Programme

CHEMISTRY/11

A

Chemistry · June 2025 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Standard · 3.4/5

Analysis source: International Baccalaureate Organization

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.4 / 5

Total marks

105

Duration

180 min

Most tested topic

Green Chemistry and Experimental Methods

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

105

Duration

180 min

Session difficulty

3.4 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

A highly balanced exam with an exceptionally strong emphasis on experimental inquiry (Green Chemistry/Methods) and the core mole concept, penalizing students who lacked precise laboratory protocol knowledge.

2

Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Question difficulty map

How candidates performed on each question in this series

No data available in official reports

Assessment objectives

Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary

Mathematical & Calculation7
Analysis & G6
Chemical Nomenclature5
Experimental3
Theoretical Explanation2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Mathematical & CalculationMathematical &CalculationAnalysis & GAnalysis & GChemical NomenclatureChemicalNomenclatureExperimentalExperimentalTheoretical ExplanationTheoreticalExplanation
SkillWeightShare
  • Mathematical & Calculation

    Weight: 7100%
  • Analysis & G

    Weight: 686%
  • Chemical Nomenclature

    Weight: 571%
  • Experimental

    Weight: 343%
  • Theoretical Explanation

    Weight: 229%

Method marks watchlist

Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost

No data available in official reports

Recurring mistakes across years

Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject

No data available in official reports

Question choice intelligence

Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)

No data available in official reports

Level exemplars

What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like

No data available in official reports

Grade & admission context

How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards

Report type

IB subject report — grade distributions, IA weighting, and HL/SL distinctions

Level 7

Excellent — top band for competitive university offers

Level 6

Very good — strong HL performance

Level 5

Good — solid pass at higher level

Level 4

Satisfactory — minimum for many university credits

Level 3

Mediocre

Level 2

Poor

Level 1

Very poor

Deep insights

What top candidates did

Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series

No data available in official reports

Command word playbook

How to match each command word to the expected response style

DeduceFrequency: 7

Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.

ExplainFrequency: 5

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

DetermineFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.

SuggestFrequency: 4

Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.

CalculateFrequency: 4

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

StateFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

OutlineFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 2

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1B45m / 25 marks

Min per mark: 1.8

Paper 1A45m / 30 marks

Min per mark: 1.5

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Green Chemistry and Experimental Methods

23 marks this session

Counting particles by mass: The mole

13 marks this session

Functional groups: Classification of organic compounds

12 marks this session

The covalent model (Models of bonding and structure)

11 marks this session

MCQ trap analytics

Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary

No data available in official reports

Topic heatmap across years

Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject

Mark intensity

LowHigh
Topic
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Counting particles by mass: The mole

11
13
24

Green Chemistry and Experimental Methods

23
23

Option D: Medicinal Chemistry

20
20

The covalent model

10
10
20

Measurements, Uncertainties and Spectroscopy

14
14

Electron transfer reactions

14
14

How fast? The rate of chemical change

13
13

Functional groups: Classification of organic compounds

12
12

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1A (Multiple Choice):

30 marks45 min

Paper 1B (Data Analysis & Practical):

25 marks45 min

Paper 2 (Structured):

50 marks90 min

Marks you can still earn

Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit

No data available in official reports

Practise what examiners flagged

Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    A highly balanced exam with an exceptionally strong emphasis on experimental inquiry (Green Chemistry/Methods) and the core mole concept, penalizing students who lacked precise laboratory protocol knowledge.

  • 2Message

    Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2025 2025

Chemistry

A highly balanced exam with an exceptionally strong emphasis on experimental inquiry (Green Chemistry/Methods) and the core mole concept, penalizing students who lacked precise laboratory protocol knowledge.

  • A highly balanced exam with an exceptionally strong emphasis on experimental inquiry (Green Chemistry/Methods) and the core mole concept, penalizing students who lacked precise laboratory protocol knowledge.

  • Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Total marks
105
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5

Session analysis

A highly balanced exam with an exceptionally strong emphasis on experimental inquiry (Green Chemistry/Methods) and the core mole concept, penalizing students who lacked precise laboratory protocol knowledge.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1A (Multiple Choice):

30 marks45 min

Paper 1B (Data Analysis & Practical):

25 marks45 min

Paper 2 (Structured):

50 marks90 min

Top chapters

Green Chemistry and Experimental Methods23 marks
Counting particles by mass: The mole13 marks
Functional groups: Classification of organic compounds12 marks
The covalent model (Models of bonding and structure)11 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

The nuclear atom1 marks
Electron configurations4 marks
Ideal gases5 marks
The ionic model2 marks
The covalent model (Models of b11 marks
The periodic table: Classificat3 marks
Electron transfer reactions8 marks
Measuring enthalpy change8 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

76% within easy or medium reach

35
45
25
Easy: 35 marksMedium: 45 marksHard: 25 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Deduce7 times
Explain5 times
Determine4 times
Suggest4 times
Calculate4 times
State4 times
Outline3 times
Describe2 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

105Marks
  • Paper 2)

    50·25·48%

  • Paper 1A)

    30·30·29%

  • Paper 1B)

    25·11·24%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Counting particles…Functional groups:…The covalent model…Green Chemistry an…Electron transfer …

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.82008420093.520103.220114.220124.220133.220143.220153.820163.720173.220183.220193.820203.220213.820224.220233.820243.42025

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1A

0.67 m/min
30
45

Paper 1B

0.56 m/min
25
45

Total marks

55

Total time

90 min

Avg pace

0.61

Cumulative marks ladder

The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.

02653791057 estimated6 estimated5 estimated4 estimated3 estimated2 estimated1 estimated304149556370768490105

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Proton transfer reactions

85%

85%

The periodic table: Classification of elements

80%

80%

Energy cycles in reactions

75%

75%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 20min
Total marks
40

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

CHEMISTRY/11 — IB Diploma Programme Chemistry (June 2025) | Revui