IB Physics SL
IB Physics at Standard Level is a challenging physics course that provides a survey of the most important concepts and skills for understanding our physical world. Over the course of the program, which is normally taught over a two-year period, students will develop their quantitative reasoning, analysis, and experimental skills.
Course Structure and Content
Starting with the May 2025 cohort, all IB Physics students will undertake their studies under a new syllabus and curriculum. The most significant changes involve discontinuing the option topics (with some option topic material now included in the core content) and reducing the number of examination papers from three to two.
SL Physics students will examine various topics within physics designed to lay the foundation for future scientific and engineering studies. The concepts are arranged into five core themes: Space, Time and Motion, The Particulate Nature of Matter, Wave Behaviour, Fields, and Nuclear Physics. Within these themes, students will study topics such as Mechanics, Thermal Physics, Wave Interference, Electric Circuits, Gravitational Fields and Orbits, Radioactivity, and Astrophysics.
At the end of the Standard Level Physics IB course, students will sit two examination papers. Paper 1 consists of 25 multiple-choice questions across all core content and a 20-mark data-based section that will assess students' understanding of experimental procedures and their ability to interpret and process results. Paper 2 includes 50 marking points for short answer and extended response questions, also evaluating students' ability to engage in essential conceptual and quantitative reasoning regarding the entire syllabus.
Tips for Success
- Consistent revision! The best approach to ensuring success in a thorough, content-rich program such as IB SL Physics is to study a little each day in a deliberate, targeted manner. With Revision Village, students can use the Questionbank or the Popular Quizzes to work on specific content areas. Use the Revision Village app for on-the-go access to the website resources as well as to practise concepts using flashcards.
- Find your level and work from there! The questions within the Questionbank are sorted by difficulty levels so you can build your confidence, and the Revision Ladders have different levels to help you determine your current knowledge level and build upon it step by step.
- Use all of your resources! When you encounter difficulty answering a question, make sure to use the written markscheme, video solution, and NewtonAI to address your questions and specific gaps in your understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IB Physics SL?
IB Physics Standard Level (SL) is one of the science courses introduced in the current IB Science curriculum (2016 - 2024). The Physics SL course is a traditional science course, whereby students develop a deep understanding of scientific concepts and solve both real and theoretical problems, with and without technology. The Physics SL course should be considered by students who are moderate to strong at science, and are interested in pursuing courses and pathways involving science or engineering after their IB Diploma Program.
What are the assessment items in the IB Physics SL course?
The IB Physics SL course consists of four assessment items that contribute to a student’s overall score for the course. There are three exam papers and an internally assessed independent investigation. Paper 1 consists of multiple-choice questions, Paper 2 consists of short-answer questions, and Paper 3 consists of data-based questions, short-answer questions on practical experimentation, and short-answer questions from one option. The use of a calculator is prohibited for Paper 1, but permitted for Papers 2 and 3. A data booklet with useful constants and equations are provided for all three papers.
How should students prepare for IB Physics SL exams?
There are two phases students progress through in their two-year IB Physics SL course: the learning phase and the revision phase. The learning phase occurs in class, with their teacher and textbooks, where students first encounter and explore scientific concepts and consolidate their understanding by solving questions specific to that concept. The revision phase, which is what Revision Village is specifically designed for, is when students consolidate their understanding of all of the concepts in the Physics SL course and appreciate how the concepts are connected. In the revision phase, the most effective strategy is to practice lots of IB Physics SL exam questions to build confidence, reach mastery, and be prepared for the Physics SL examinations.
How does Revision Village support IB Physics SL students?
Revision Village is specifically designed to support IB students in the revision phase of their IB Physics Standard Level course. Revision Village has four main sections, each for different revision purposes: 1) Questionbank: a large library of IB Physics SL exam questions categorised by topic and ordered by difficulty, 2) Practice Exams: a carefully designed set of quizzes and mock papers for students to use in their final phase of revision, 3) Past Paper Video Solutions: step-by-step video tutorials of past Physics SL exam questions, taught by experienced IB Teachers, and 4) Key Concepts: short concise videos that recap the important theory in the Physics SL course. Revision Village is the perfect place for IB Students to learn, practice and prepare for their IB Physics exam stress-free, with all of the resources they need in one place.