Paper 2 tests how clearly you can apply and communicate chemistry. Questions are multi-part and often integrate topics, so it’s not only what you know but how you set out your reasoning that wins marks. With smart preparation and a calm, methodical approach, this paper becomes a place to bank marks—especially on definitions, structured calculations and concise explanations.
Paper 2 at a glance
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Preparing for Paper 2
1. Understand the format before you train
Start by browsing a specimen Paper 2 so you can see how parts build from quick definitions to multi-step reasoning and data analysis. Notice how mark allocations signal the depth required and how working is laid out in the boxes. You’ll use both a calculator and the Data Booklet on the day—build that into practice from the start.
2. Build a foundation you can explain out loud
A strong Paper 2 answer reads like a tidy mini-lesson. Review the core syllabus methodically—then force yourself to restate ideas in your own words. Aim for crisp, textbook-quality definitions and short, logical explanations.
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Use active recall (flashcards, quick quizzes) and self-explanation (“teach it back” in two or three sentences).
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Keep a rolling list of “must-know” definitions (e.g., activation energy, standard enthalpy change, Bronsted–Lowry acid) and rehearse them weekly.
3. Focus on high-yield core topics
Paper 2 leans heavily on: stoichiometry and reacting masses; atomic structure; bonding and structure; energetics and kinetics; equilibrium; redox; acids and bases. These underpin longer questions and are common spots for precise definitions, worked calculations and short derivations. Write one “model worked example” per topic—then vary numbers/contexts and re-work them from a blank page.
4. Master your Data Booklet
Treat the booklet like a map: you should know exactly where the equations, constants, periodic table, Ka/Kb data and common physical properties live. Practise with a printed copy beside you so look-ups cost seconds, not minutes. You’ll need it in the real exam, so it should feel familiar.
5. Practice topic-style Paper 2 questions
After revising a section, sit Paper 2-style items: define, explain, calculate, and interpret. Focus on:
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Tight definitions that match syllabus wording.
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Structured calculations with units at every step and appropriate significant figures.
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Short explanations that move logically from principle → applied conclusion.
6. Graduate to full papers - timed and marked
When single topics feel steady, switch to mixed, timed papers. Mark with the markscheme to learn the phrases and steps examiners credit. Track recurring errors (missed units, sig figs, a skipped justification) and rehearse those fixes until automatic.
On Exam Day
1. Manage Your Timing
Use a simple guide: SL ~1.8 minutes per mark and HL ~1.7 minutes per mark. If a part is overrunning and you’re not progressing, park it politely (draw a line) and move on—come back later with a fresh head. Here's why:
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SL: 50 marks, 90 minutes → about 1.8 minutes per mark
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HL: 90 marks, 150 minutes → about 1.7 minutes per mark
2. Recognise the Command Terms
Pay close attention to the command terms in the question (e.g. state, explain, deduce, evaluate). Tailor your answers accordingly — writing too little or too much for a command word can cost you marks. The most common command terms and what they require include:
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State: Give a clear answer without explanation, reasoning, or calculation. This is usually worth one mark and may be a definition or repeating information from the question itself.
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Define: Write down the meaning of a term. It should be as clear and accurate as you would expect to read in a textbook. This is usually worth one mark.
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Describe: Give a detailed explanation, using the number of allocated marks as approximately the number of sentences to aim for.
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Explain: Give a reasoned argument, again using the number of marks as a sentence guideline.
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Calculate: Answer with a numeric value with three significant figures and correct units.
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Comment/Evaluate: Give a judgment on an answer with reasoning. This may involve agreeing or disagreeing with a statement, or identifying strengths and/or weaknesses.
3. Show Clear Working
Always write out each calculation step clearly, line by line, so that your working can be followed. Make sure to use the correct units and apply significant figures consistently (either round to the lowest number of significant figures from the data provided, or round to three significant figures). Even if your final answer is wrong, clear working can earn partial marks. On the other hand, providing the correct answer but omitting units or using incorrect ones can cost you full marks.
4. Be Precise and Concise
Avoid vague or overly long explanations. Use clear, direct sentences and the exact terminology from the IB Chemistry syllabus. This shows examiners you understand the concept and makes your answer more likely to align with the markscheme.
Example question: Explain why sodium chloride conducts electricity when molten but not when solid.
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Vague answer: “Sodium chloride conducts when it melts because the particles can move around, but not when it’s solid because they can’t.”
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Precise answer: "Conducting electricity requires freely moving charged particles. In molten sodium chloride, the ions are free to move and carry charge, so the substance conducts electricity. In the solid state, the ions are in a fixed lattice and cannot move, so no current flows.”
5. Stay Calm and Flexible
If a prompt looks unfamiliar, strip it to known ideas: identify the concept, harvest the data you need, write what you know in order. Most long parts reward steady reasoning more than tricks.
Conclusion
Paper 2 challenges you to go beyond memorisation and demonstrate your ability to apply your knowledge in structured, written responses. With a strong foundation, effective use of your data booklet, and plenty of simulated practice under timed conditions, you can approach Paper 2 with confidence. Remember to manage your time carefully, use command terms as your guide, and present answers clearly and logically. With these approaches, you’ll be better equipped to apply your knowledge clearly and confidently in the exam.
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. If you are looking for more support as you prepare for your IB Chemistry exam, you can also read these other blogs from me:
- 3-Month Study Plan for IB Chemistry: A Practical Guide to Exam Prep
- Navigating IB Chemistry Exam Paper 1: Your Strategy Guide for Papers 1A & 1B
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!
