1. IBO Biology General information

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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) 36135 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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 %