IB Chemistry HL is the higher level of the IB Diploma Programme chemistry course, organised into structure and reactivity and assessed by two exam papers plus an internal assessment investigation. Our IB Chemistry HL course follows the current syllabus, organised into structure (models of the particulate nature of matter, bonding and classification of matter) and reactivity (what drives reactions, how much, how fast and how far, and the mechanisms of chemical change), including HL extensions. You prepare for Paper 1 and Paper 2 with IB-style questions. Lessons are live and one-to-one with a verified IB tutor, who uses IB-style questions and markbands, and can review the planning of your internal assessment within IB rules. Suitable for DP1 and DP2 students and May or November candidates.
Reviewed by G. Mehra, Postgraduate in Chemistry; GCSE, IGCSE and IB Chemistry tutorLast updated
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What you will learn
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Course structure
In short: this course gives one-to-one online tutoring for IB Diploma Chemistry HL. A verified chemistry tutor teaches structure and reactivity, HL calculations and mechanisms, Paper 1B data analysis and the scientific investigation, using IB-style questions.
IB Diploma Programme Chemistry Higher Level is the IB's advanced chemistry course for the two-year Diploma. The current syllabus, first assessed in 2025, is organised around two concepts, structure and reactivity, and is assessed by two exam papers and an internal scientific investigation. It is graded 1 to 7.
This course covers the full HL syllabus one to one with a verified IB chemistry tutor.
Official specification: IB Chemistry subject brief.
For broader help, see our chemistry tutoring page, or the IB Physics HL course if you take both sciences at higher level.
IB Chemistry (first assessed in 2025) has two papers and an internal assessment. At HL, Paper 1 lasts 2 hours and Paper 2 lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. The teaching time is 240 hours at HL.
| Component | Format | HL time | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1A multiple choice and 1B data-based questions | 2 hours | 36% |
| Paper 2 | Short-answer and extended-response questions | 2 hours 30 minutes | 44% |
| Internal assessment | Scientific investigation (written report) | About 10 hours of work | 20% |
IB Chemistry HL usually covers more topics in greater depth over two years, with an internal assessment investigation and data-based Paper 1B questions, while AP Chemistry is a one-year course ending in a single exam. Students often describe HL as broader and more demanding overall, although AP moves quickly and is calculation-heavy.
| Strand | Topics |
|---|---|
| Structure 1: Models of the particulate nature of matter | Introduction to the particulate nature of matter, the nuclear atom, electron configurations, counting particles by mass, ideal gases |
| Structure 2: Models of bonding and structure | Ionic, covalent and metallic models, from models to materials |
| Structure 3: Classification of matter | The periodic table, functional groups and the classification of organic compounds |
| Reactivity 1: What drives chemical reactions? | Energy changes, enthalpy cycles, energy from fuels, entropy and spontaneity |
| Reactivity 2: How much, how fast and how far? | Amount of chemical change, rates of reaction, equilibrium |
| Reactivity 3: What are the mechanisms of chemical change? | Proton transfer, electron transfer, electron sharing and electron-pair sharing reactions |
HL adds demanding content such as entropy and Gibbs energy, Kc and Kp calculations, pH of weak acids and buffers, electrochemical cells and organic mechanisms.
Here is a typical stoichiometry question: what mass of magnesium oxide forms from 4.8 g of magnesium? (Mg = 24.31, O = 16.00.)
| Step | Working |
|---|---|
| Equation | 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO |
| Moles of Mg | 4.8 ÷ 24.31 = 0.197 mol |
| Moles of MgO | 0.197 mol |
| Mass of MgO | 0.197 × 40.31 = 7.96 g |
Students most often lose marks with missing units or uncertainties, unclear working, imprecise terminology, weak data analysis and IA reports with an unfocused research question.
| Mark-loser | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Missing units or uncertainties | Include them throughout |
| Unclear working | Show each step |
| Imprecise terminology | Use the guide's terms |
| Weak data analysis | Describe trends with values |
| Unfocused IA question | Narrow it to one measurable variable |
The IA is a scientific investigation you design, written up as a report after about 10 hours of practical work, worth 20% and marked against the IB internal assessment criteria. Tutors help you refine a focused research question, plan a valid method and strengthen analysis, including uncertainties. Feedback is given within the IB's academic integrity rules; the investigation you submit is your own.
Lessons are live and one to one on video with a shared whiteboard. Your tutor uses IB specimen and past papers and markschemes. See also IB Biology SL, IB Physics HL and our Chemistry subject page.
An IB chemistry tutor online gives you live 1-to-1 lessons on structure and reactivity, HL calculations and mechanisms, with exam-style practice and guidance on your internal assessment.
This course suits Diploma Programme students taking Chemistry at Higher Level, including students who are moving up from Standard Level.
Prerequisites: secondary school chemistry, basic algebra, graphs and chemical equations.
Course length: 45 lessons across 6 modules.
| Stage | Topics | What you can do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Particulate nature of matter; bonding and structure | Explain atomic structure and predict bonding |
| 2 | Classification of matter | Use periodic trends and classify substances |
| 3 | What drives chemical reactions; how much, how fast, how far | Solve energetics, kinetics and equilibrium calculations |
| 4 | Mechanisms of chemical change | Draw mechanisms and answer data-based questions |
Where it leads: see our chemistry tutoring page, or the IB Biology SL course if you also take biology.
Yes. The current IB Chemistry syllabus was first assessed in May 2025.
Two: Paper 1 (2 hours, 36%) and Paper 2 (2 hours 30 minutes, 44%), plus the IA (20%).
Into structure and reactivity strands, rather than numbered topics.
A data-based section of Paper 1 based on experimental work.
A written report based on about 10 hours of investigation.
It is one of the more demanding HL subjects, especially energetics, equilibria and organic mechanisms, but structured practice helps.
No. Tutors give feedback and guidance; the IA must be your own work.
Master calculations and mechanisms, practise data-based questions and produce a rigorous IA.
The price depends on the tutor and session length. You see the hourly rate before booking, with no subscription.
Yes. Lessons are online and scheduled around your time zone.
The scientific investigation is worth 20% and takes about 10 hours of work.
150 hours at SL and 240 hours at HL.
AO1 knowledge; AO2 understanding and application; AO3 analysis, evaluation and synthesis; AO4 investigation skills.
Many students find IB Chemistry harder because it relies more on calculations, abstract models of bonding and energetics, and precise use of data, while IB Biology carries more content and extended writing. Which feels harder depends on your strengths: confident maths students often prefer Chemistry, and strong writers often prefer Biology.
Yes. Lessons are online, so you can book times that suit your time zone.
Paper 1 is 2 hours and Paper 2 is 2 hours 30 minutes at HL.
Pick a focused question with one independent variable you can measure reliably.
Tutors explain the criteria and give feedback on your planning and drafts, while the investigation stays your own.
The IB Chemistry data booklet is a reference document used in exams. It includes the periodic table, physical constants, equations and data tables such as bond enthalpies and electronegativities. It does not explain how to use them, so practise with it from the start of the course. Always use the version for your exam session.
The IB publishes the Chemistry subject guide for teachers through its programme resources, so your school coordinator or chemistry teacher can share it. Check that it matches your first assessment year, because the syllabus has changed. Your tutor plans lessons around your school scheme and the current guide.
Yes. You can learn with a 1-to-1 IB chemistry tutor online through live video lessons. Your tutor follows your school scheme, explains HL calculations and mechanisms step by step, practises Paper 1A, Paper 1B and Paper 2 questions, and gives guidance on your IA while the work remains your own.
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