Navigating IB Chemistry Exam Paper 1: Your Strategy Guide for Papers 1A & 1B

With the IB Chemistry exams introducing a new structure in 2025, many students may feel uncertain about what to expect. Paper 1 now has two parts - 1A and 1B - each testing different skills and ways of applying your knowledge. Once you understand the purpose and layout of each section, it becomes much more manageable.

Together, Paper 1 contributes 36% to your final grade, so it’s a key opportunity to build momentum early. Success here takes more than memorising content: it’s about applying concepts and analysing information under exam conditions. This guide breaks down the format and shares practical tips so you can prepare with purpose and walk in with confidence.

Paper 1A vs 1B at a glance (SL & HL)

Use the table below to see the structure, timing and materials at a glance. In short: 1A is fast, concept-driven and rewards accurate recall and quick application; 1B is slower and rewards careful reading, data handling and experimental judgement.

Paper 1A – Multiple Choice

How to prepare for Paper 1A

Paper 1A rewards fluent core knowledge and quick switching between ideas. Think of your prep as building a strong base first, then stress-testing it under time pressure. Once the fundamentals feel automatic, you can focus on eliminating distractors and maintaining pace.

1. Consolidate the core topics first: stoichiometry and reacting masses; atomic structure; bonding and structure; energetics and kinetics; equilibrium; redox; acids and bases; organic (functional groups, mechanisms).

2. Practise in focused sets, then interleave topics to simulate the mental gear-changes you’ll face on the day.

3. Answer before options: attempt a solution, then compare with the choices to avoid being steered by distractors.

4. Keep a tight error log (topic → why I missed it → fix) and revisit it weekly so mistakes don’t repeat.

5. Sit timed mixed papers to build pacing; aim for ~60–75 seconds per question as a rule of thumb.

6. Mark with the markscheme, noting the shortest valid route and any common traps or alternative methods.

7. Use spaced retrieval (short, regular quizzes) to keep weak areas warm between full practice sessions.

Sitting Paper 1A on Exam Day

Effectively preparing for the exam and knowing the syllabus is critical, but so is your approach to Paper 1A on the day. Here's my tips to ensure you tackle if efficiently and effectively:

• Work out the answer before looking at options
  Try solving each question on your own first before reading the choices. This helps prevent confusion from distractor options.

• Annotate your question paper
  Underline important information, jot down calculations, or mark anything that helps you stay organised. These quick notes are helpful if you have time to review.

• Use elimination strategies
  If unsure about a question, cross out clearly incorrect answers to improve your chances of selecting the right one.

• Manage your time wisely
  Don’t get stuck. If a question takes too long, mark it and move on. You can return to it later if time allows.

Paper 1B – Data analysis and experimental skills

Paper 1B leans into scientific thinking: interpreting unfamiliar data, judging procedures, and applying experimental logic. The tone should feel similar to the old Paper 3 Section A: you’ll meet short, data-rich prompts and be asked to reason clearly rather than recall facts for their own sake. Success here comes from fluent use of the Chemistry Data Booklet, comfort with error and uncertainty, and a calm, methodical writing style.

How to prepare for Paper 1B

Paper 1B is less about memorising facts and more about thinking like a chemist—reading unfamiliar data, judging methods, and communicating clearly. Your preparation should make experimental reasoning feel routine so you can focus on clarity and precision under exam conditions.

1. Make common practicals second nature: standard solutions and titrations, calorimetry (combustion/neutralisation), basic rates experiments, and voltaic cells.

2. Match apparatus to purpose and know the implications for precision vs accuracy (pipette, burette, measuring cylinder, balances, probes).

3. Diagnose error types: distinguish random from systematic, describe their signatures in data, and propose targeted improvements.

4. State assumptions explicitly (e.g. treating solution cpcp​ as water’s) and know when they’re reasonable.

5. Practise with old Paper 3 Section A data-response sets to mirror the question style and marking.

6. Build Data Booklet fluency: know where key constants, equations and tables live so lookup is instant.

7. Write to the marks: a one-mark trend needs a crisp sentence; multi-mark critiques need structured points tied to the data.

8. Be deliberate with units & sig figs and, when graphing, label axes, include units, and justify gradients/intercepts.

Sitting Paper 1B on Exam Day

Again, I recommend that you approach Paper 1B on Exam Day in a very deliberate way to ensure you don't make mistakes, manage your time efficiently and confidently make your way through it. My tips include:

• Read the entire question carefully before answering
  This helps you understand the full context and identify key data points early.

• Pay attention to mark allocations
  Marks give you a clue about how detailed your answer needs to be and how much time to allocate.

• Look for simple answers first
  Don’t overcomplicate things. If a question asks about a trend, a clear and direct statement like “As temperature increases, rate increases” may be all that’s needed.

• Organise your answers clearly
  Structure your work with labelled steps, units, and brief explanations. This makes it easier for examiners to award marks, especially for partial credit.

Conclusion

Succeeding in Papers 1A and 1B under the new 2025 IB Chemistry format comes down to understanding their unique demands and preparing with purpose. Focus on mastering core content, practising common experimental techniques, and using past papers to simulate the real thing. On exam day, apply clear strategies—like managing your time, annotating your paper, and keeping answers focused and structured.

With preparation and a calm, methodical approach, you’ll be ready to tackle both sections with confidence and set yourself up for success in IB Chemistry this year.

If you found these tips helpful, I’d personally love to support you as your tutor this year. You can view my profile here on Learnmate and contact me to discuss tutoring.

Alternatively, you can also engage other tutors on Learnmate to help you refine your IB Chemistry skills, boost your confidence, and provide guidance tailored to your specific needs. Connect with an expert IB Chemistry tutor on Learnmate and take your understanding to the next level!