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SPORTS-EXERCISE-AND-HEALTH-SCIENCE · IB Diploma Programme

SPORTS-EXERCISE-AND-HEALTH-SCIENCE/31

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Sports Exercise and Health Science · 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

80

Duration

120 min

Most tested topic

Skeletal Muscle Physiology and Motor Learning

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

80

Duration

120 min

Session difficulty

3.4 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The May 2025 Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) Standard Level papers delivered a rigorous but fair assessment.

2

Paper 1 offered a standard distribution of multiple-choice questions across all core options, while Paper 2 tested candidates' ability to synthesize physiological pathways and biomechanical theories with real-world athletic scenarios.

3

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

Recall & Understanding7
Identification Conceptual Application6
Analysis & M3
Critical Evaluation2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Recall & UnderstandingRecall &UnderstandingIdentification Conceptual ApplicationIdentificationConceptualAnalysis & MAnalysis & MCritical EvaluationCriticalEvaluation
SkillWeightShare
  • Recall & Understanding

    Weight: 7100%
  • Identification Conceptual Application

    Weight: 686%
  • Analysis & M

    Weight: 343%
  • Critical Evaluation

    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

DescribeFrequency: 6

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

ExplainFrequency: 5

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

DiscussFrequency: 5

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

OutlineFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.

IdentifyFrequency: 4

Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.

CalculateFrequency: 2

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

DefineFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.

EvaluateFrequency: 1

Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 2 Section B30m / 20 marks

Min per mark: 1.5

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Generating movement in the body

20 marks this session

Response

18 marks this session

Motor learning

18 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

Response

36
20
18
74

Generating movement in the body

16
16
20
52

Study Design and Research Methods

19
19

Motor learning

18
18

Hydration and nutrition

16
16

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1 (Multiple Choice):

30 marks45 min

Paper 2 (Structured & Extended):

50 marks75 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

    The May 2025 Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) Standard Level papers delivered a rigorous but fair assessment.

  • 2Message

    Paper 1 offered a standard distribution of multiple-choice questions across all core options, while Paper 2 tested candidates' ability to synthesize physiological pathways and biomechanical theories with real-world athletic scenarios.

  • 3Message

    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

Sports Exercise and Health Science

The May 2025 Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) Standard Level papers delivered a rigorous but fair assessment. Paper 1 offered a standard distribution of multiple-choice questions across all core options, while Paper 2 tested candidates' ability to synthesize physiologic

  • The May 2025 Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) Standard Level papers delivered a rigorous but fair assessment.

  • Paper 1 offered a standard distribution of multiple-choice questions across all core options, while Paper 2 tested candidates' ability to synthesize physiological pathways and biomechanical theories with real-world athletic scenarios.

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

Total marks
80
Duration
120 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5

Session analysis

The May 2025 Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) Standard Level papers delivered a rigorous but fair assessment. Paper 1 offered a standard distribution of multiple-choice questions across all core options, while Paper 2 tested candidates' ability to synthesize physiological pathways and biomechanical theories with real-world athletic scenarios.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1 (Multiple Choice):

30 marks45 min

Paper 2 (Structured & Extended):

50 marks75 min

Top chapters

Generating movement in the body20 marks
Response18 marks
Motor learning18 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Generating movement in the body20 marks
Response18 marks
Motor learning18 marks
Study Design and Research Metho12 marks
Forces, motion and movement8 marks
Hydration and nutrition8 marks

Mark accessibility

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

83% within easy or medium reach

32
34
14
Easy: 32 marksMedium: 34 marksHard: 14 marks

Command word frequency

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

Describe6 times
Explain5 times
Discuss5 times
Outline3 times
Identify4 times
Calculate2 times
Define2 times
Evaluate1 times

Question type mix

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

80Marks
  • Multiple Choice

    30·30·38%

  • Short Answer

    30·8·38%

  • Extended Response

    20·4·25%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Motor Learning and…Cardiovascular and…Anatomy of Movemen…Biomechanics: Rota…

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.520123.420133.82014320153.8201642017320183.320193.520203.22021420223.52023320243.42025

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 2 Section B

0.67 m/min
20
30

Total marks

20

Total time

30 min

Avg pace

0.67

Next-year prediction

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

Injury (Biomechanics)

85%

85%

Motivation and Psychological Skills

75%

75%

May 2025 SEHS SL Exam Analysis

The May 2025 Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) Standard Level papers delivered a rigorous but fair assessment. Paper 1 offered a standard distribution of multiple-choice questions across all core options, while Paper 2 tested candidates' ability to synthesize physiological pathways and biomechanical theories with real-world athletic scenarios.

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 15min
Total marks
50
Weighting
20%
Question types
Short Answer

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

SPORTS-EXERCISE-AND-HEALTH-SCIENCE/31 — IB Diploma Programme Sports Exercise and Health Science (June 2025) | Revui