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Group 4 Physics

Physics guide

Assessment outline

SL assessment specifications

First examinations 2009

Component

Overall weighting (%)

Approximate weighting of objectives (%)

Duration (hours)

Format and syllabus coverage

1+2

3

Paper 1

20

20

¾

30 multiple-choice questions on the core

Paper 2

32

16

16

Section A: one data-based question and several short-answer questions on the core (all compulsory)

Section B: one extended-response question on the core (from a choice of three)

Paper 3

24

12

12

1

Several short-answer questions in each of the two options studied (all compulsory)

HL assessment specifications

First examinations 2009

Component

Overall weighting (%)

Approximate weighting of objectives (%)

Duration (hours)

Format and syllabus coverage

1+2

3

Paper 1

20

20

1

40 multiple-choice questions (±15 common to SL plus about five more on the core and about 20 more on the AHL)

Paper 2

36

18

18

Section A: one data-based question and several short-answer questions on the core and the AHL (all compulsory)

Section B: two extended-response questions on the core and the AHL (from a choice of four)

Paper 3

20

10

10

Several short-answer questions and one extended-response question in each of the two options studied (all compulsory)

In addition to addressing objectives 1, 2 and 3, the internal assessment scheme for both SL and HL addresses objective 4 (personal skills) using the personal skills criterion to assess the group 4 project, and objective 5 (manipulative skills) using the manipulative skills criterion to assess practical work. For both SL and HL, calculators are not permitted in paper 1 but are required in papers 2 and 3.

A clean copy of the Physics data booklet is required for papers 1, 2 and 3 at both SL and HL.