Chemistry Past Papers 2026
Browse all available Chemistry sessions from 2001-2026. This archive currently includes 948 official papers and 21 donated papers.
56
Sessions
969
Papers
948
Official
2001-2026
Years
May 2026
Latest Session
56
Sessions
2001–2026
293
Question Papers
142
Markschemes
48% coverage
Components & time pressure
Marks per minute = how fast you have to write. Anything above 0.85 is tight; above 1.0 is brutal.
| Paper | Component | Marks | Duration | Marks / min | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1A | Multiple Choice | 40 | HL: 2h (40 MCQs) | 0.25 | Steady |
| Paper 1B | Data-based and Skills | 35 | Included in Paper 1 time (HL: 35 marks) | 1.00 | Very high |
| Paper 2 | Structured and Extended Response | 90 | HL: 2h 30m (90 marks) | 0.60 | Steady |
Components: 7 papers, up to 5 variants each. Component data extracted from 4 official IB subject reports (2024, 2025).
May 2026
Latest Session
56
Sessions
2001–2026
289
Question Papers
170
Markschemes
59% coverage
Components & time pressure
Marks per minute = how fast you have to write. Anything above 0.85 is tight; above 1.0 is brutal.
| Paper | Component | Marks | Duration | Marks / min | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1A | Multiple Choice | 30 | SL: 1h 30m (30 MCQs) | 0.33 | Steady |
| Paper 1B | Data-based and Skills | 25 | Included in Paper 1 time (SL: 25 marks) | 1.00 | Very high |
| Paper 2 | Structured and Extended Response | 50 | SL: 1h 30m (50 marks) | 0.56 | Steady |
Components: 7 papers, up to 5 variants each. Component data extracted from 4 official IB subject reports (2024, 2025).
Yearly Exam Sessions
What IB examiners say about Chemistry
Verbatim quotes from 4 official IB subject reports (2025–2024). Every quote is attributable to a specific paper and session — these are the things IB markers flag year after year.
Missing state symbols in equations and incorrect…
State symbols are essential in chemical equations. Students who omit them lose marks consistently.
Confusing electron-domain geometry with molecular…
Many students confused electron domain geometry with molecular geometry when naming shapes.
Drawing organic structures with incorrect connectivity…
Connectivity in organic drawing was a common source of errors. Students must show all bonds clearly.
About IB Chemistry
IB Chemistry is a rigorous Group 4 subject covering stoichiometry, atomic theory, periodicity, bonding and structure, energetics and thermochemistry, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, redox chemistry, organic chemistry, and measurement and data processing. HL students additionally study atomic structure, bonding, energetics, kinetics, and organic chemistry in greater depth, along with advanced topics.
Working through IB Chemistry past papers is the most effective way to prepare for the final exams. Our archive includes IB Chemistry question papers and mark schemes for both SL and HL from May and November sessions, covering Paper 1 multiple-choice, Paper 2 structured questions, and Paper 3 option questions.
Exam Format
Paper 1 (SL: 45 min / HL: 1 hr)
Multiple-choice questions on core topics. SL: 30 questions; HL: 40 questions. Data booklet provided.
Paper 2 (SL: 1 hr 15 min / HL: 2 hr 15 min)
Short-answer and extended-response questions. SL covers core; HL covers core and additional HL topics.
Paper 3 (SL: 1 hr / HL: 1 hr 15 min)
Section A: data analysis questions. Section B: questions on one chosen option topic.
SL vs HL
IB Chemistry SL covers the core syllabus across all major topics. HL requires mastery of five additional Higher Level topics with greater mathematical and conceptual depth. HL papers are significantly longer and require deeper organic chemistry and physical chemistry knowledge.
Study Tips for IB Chemistry
- ✓Learn the data booklet inside out — knowing what's provided (and what isn't) saves exam time.
- ✓Draw full structural formulas in organic chemistry questions; condensed formulas often lose marks.
- ✓Practise balancing half-equations and full redox equations under timed conditions.
- ✓For equilibrium and acids/bases, write out all steps in ICE tables to avoid errors.
- ✓In Paper 1, eliminate clearly wrong answers first — many questions have 2 plausible options.
- ✓Review your IA write-up structure early; Internal Assessment is 20% of your grade.
- ✓Focus on stoichiometry and mole calculations — they appear in every paper.
Questions, answered.
IB Chemistry has three written papers plus an Internal Assessment. Paper 1 is multiple-choice, Paper 2 covers core/HL topics, and Paper 3 includes data analysis and an option topic.
HL is significantly harder, with 5 additional topics, longer papers, and deeper treatment of physical and organic chemistry. A HL score of 5 is generally considered equivalent to a SL score of 6–7.
The four option topics are: A – Materials, B – Biochemistry, C – Energy, and D – Medicinal Chemistry. Most schools choose one option and focus all Paper 3 Section B revision on it.
Work through past papers under timed exam conditions, then mark your answers against the official mark scheme. Focus on question types you lost marks on and re-attempt similar questions from other years.
Yes. Our archive includes mark schemes (MS) for most sessions alongside the question papers (QP). Look for files labelled 'ms' or 'Mark Scheme' in the session file list.