BIOLOGY · IB Diploma Programme
BIOLOGY/11
A
Biology · June 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: International Baccalaureate Organization
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
105
180 min
Cell respiration
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
105
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
This session's examination sits at a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of overall challenge.
While the multiple-choice questions in Paper 1A test fundamental recall across a broad swath of the syllabus, the structured sections (Paper 1B and Paper 2 Section A) elevate the difficulty significantly.
The examiners leaned heavily into graphical analysis, requiring candidates to interpret relationships like the coefficient of determination R2=0.92 R^2 = 0.92 R2=0.92 in neurophysiology, calculate percentage changes, and evaluate multi-variable seed germination curves under chemical inhibition.
The extended-response options in Section B demand well-structured, multi-step explanations of physical-chemical properties and biogeochemical cycles.
Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Analysis and
Weight: 6100%Factual Recall Analysis
Weight: 583%Scientific Communication
Weight: 350%Experimental
Weight: 117%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
IB subject report — grade distributions, IA weighting, and HL/SL distinctions
Level 7
Excellent — top band for competitive university offers
Level 6
Very good — strong HL performance
Level 5
Good — solid pass at higher level
Level 4
Satisfactory — minimum for many university credits
Level 3
Mediocre
Level 2
Poor
Level 1
Very poor
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.9
Min per mark: 1.8
Min per mark: 1.5
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Cell respiration
15 marks this session
Transport
10 marks this session
Inheritance
10 marks this session
Neural signalling
9 marks this session
Water potential
8 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Integration of body systems (Interaction and interdependance)
Cell and nuclear division (Continuity and change)
Cell respiration
Transport
Inheritance
Transport (Form and function)
Membranes and membrane transport (Form and function)
Neural signalling
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1A:
Paper 1B:
Paper 2:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Cell respiration
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTransport
10 marks this session
Practise in RevuiInheritance
10 marks this session
Practise in RevuiNeural signalling
9 marks this session
Practise in RevuiWater potential
8 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
This session's examination sits at a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of overall challenge.
- 2Message
While the multiple-choice questions in Paper 1A test fundamental recall across a broad swath of the syllabus, the structured sections (Paper 1B and Paper 2 Section A) elevate the difficulty significantly.
- 3Message
The examiners leaned heavily into graphical analysis, requiring candidates to interpret relationships like the coefficient of determination R2=0.92 R^2 = 0.92 R2=0.92 in neurophysiology, calculate percentage changes, and evaluate multi-variable seed germination curves under chemical inhibition.
- 4Message
The extended-response options in Section B demand well-structured, multi-step explanations of physical-chemical properties and biogeochemical cycles.
- 5Message
Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2025 2025
Biology
This session's examination sits at a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of overall challenge. While the multiple-choice questions in Paper 1A test fundamental recall across a broad swath of the syllabus, the structured sections (Paper 1B and Paper 2 Section A) elevate the difficulty sig
This session's examination sits at a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of overall challenge.
While the multiple-choice questions in Paper 1A test fundamental recall across a broad swath of the syllabus, the structured sections (Paper 1B and Paper 2 Section A) elevate the difficulty significantly.
The examiners leaned heavily into graphical analysis, requiring candidates to interpret relationships like the coefficient of determination R2=0.92 R^2 = 0.92 R2=0.92 in neurophysiology, calculate percentage changes, and evaluate multi-variable seed germination curves under chemical inhibition.
- Total marks
- 105
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
This session's examination sits at a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of overall challenge. While the multiple-choice questions in Paper 1A test fundamental recall across a broad swath of the syllabus, the structured sections (Paper 1B and Paper 2 Section A) elevate the difficulty significantly. The examiners leaned heavily into graphical analysis, requiring candidates to interpret relationships like the coefficient of determination R2=0.92 R^2 = 0.92 R2=0.92 in neurophysiology, calculate percentage changes, and evaluate multi-variable seed germination curves under chemical inhibition. The extended-response options in Section B demand well-structured, multi-step explanations of physical-chemical properties and biogeochemical cycles.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1A:
Paper 1B:
Paper 2:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
76% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
short-answer
47·25·45%
multiple-choice
30·30·29%
extended-response
16·3·15%
data-based
12·8·11%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1A
0.67 m/minPaper 1B
0.56 m/minPaper 2 Section B
0.53 m/minTotal marks
71
Total time
120 min
Avg pace
0.59
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Photosynthesis
85%85%
Enzymes and metabolism
80%80%
Homeostasis
75%75%
Executive Difficulty Verdict
This session's examination sits at a solid 3.8 out of 5 in terms of overall challenge. While the multiple-choice questions in Paper 1A test fundamental recall across a broad swath of the syllabus, the structured sections (Paper 1B and Paper 2 Section A) elevate the difficulty significantly. The examiners leaned heavily into graphical analysis, requiring candidates to interpret relationships like the coefficient of determination R2=0.92 R^2 = 0.92 R2=0.92 in neurophysiology, calculate percentage changes, and evaluate multi-variable seed germination curves under chemical inhibition. The extended-response options in Section B demand well-structured, multi-step explanations of physical-chemical properties and biogeochemical cycles.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 20min
- Total marks
- 40
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.