IB Biology Tutoring 2025: Expert Help for SL & HL Success

The IB Biology course is an in-depth program that covers a broad spectrum of biological theories and concepts. It is designed to help students gain critical thinking and analytical skills and apply scientific ideas to everyday life. In this blog, we walk you through the IB Biology Curriculum 2025 along with some FAQs regarding the course.

IB Biology Curriculum 2025

The IB Biology Curriculum for 2025 has been revised and restructured around four main themes:

1. Unity and diversity
2. Form and function
3. Interaction and interdependence
4. Continuity and change 

Each theme is divided into different levels: molecules, cells, organisms, and ecosystems.

The objective of the course is to help students develop critical thinking skills through a concept-based approach. The curriculum is based on three key elements:

1. Approaches to learning
2. Nature of science
3. Skills in biological study

The course helps students gain knowledge in technology and traditional experimentation methods. It allows them to hone their curiosity and understand how errors and uncertainties impact scientific investigations.

The collaborative approach encourages teamwork between students as they go beyond scientific disciplines, beyond biology.

Theme/Level	Molecules	Cells	Organisms	Ecosystems
Unity and Diversity	Water Nucleic Acids	Origins of Cells (HL) Cell Structure Viruses (HL)	Diversity of Organisms, Classification & Cladistics (HL)	Evolution and Specialisation; Conservation of Biodiversity
Form and Function	Carbohydrates and Lipids Proteins	Membranes and Membrane Transport Organelles and Compartmentalisation Cell Specialisation	Gas Exchange Transport Muscle and Mobility	Adaptation to Environment Ecological Niches
Interaction and Interdependence	Enzymes and Metabolism Cell Respiration Photosynthesis	Chemical Signaling Neural Signaling	Integration of Body Systems Defence Against Disease	Populations and Communities Transfer of Energy and Matter
Continuity and Change	DNA Replication Protein Synthesis Mutation and Gene Editing	Cell and Nuclear Divison Gene Expression Water Potential	Reproduction Inheritance Homeostasis	Natural Selection Stability and Change Climate Change

Also Read: IB Science Curriculum Overview 2025

IB Biology Standard Level (SL) vs Higher Level (HL)

The course is available in two levels within the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program: Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL).

Both aim to improve students’ understanding of biological concepts while sharpening their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Note that both levels differ in depth, complexity, and duration. 

IB Biology HL has a more in-depth curriculum that delves deeply into the concepts. It is suitable for students who intend to pursue biology or related fields. It covers all the subjects in SL but with more depth and additional topics. 

In a topic like Cell Biology, SL focuses on fundamental concepts. On the other hand, HL focuses on in-depth details. For instance, in Genetics, SL talks about foundational inheritance patterns and genetic disorders. HL goes deeper into gene expression and genome sequencing, which are more complex topics.

Additionally, the exam durations for both are different. The IB Biology SL test lasts two hours, and the HL lasts three hours. The HL exams also have more questions, which require more detailed answers.

In addition, the Internal Assessment (IA) aspect for both courses is different; HL IA is more sophisticated, requiring more independent research. 

How to study for IB Biology?

Studying for IB biology can be challenging since it is a very content-heavy course. But with the right strategies, you can enjoy your studies and excel in your exams. Here are some tips to study for IB Biology:

Get to know the IB Biology curriculum 

Familiarise yourself with the IB Biology syllabus. Once you have an overview, organise your study plans focusing on key areas you find challenging.

Create a study schedule

Planning helps you stay ahead. Create a study schedule, prioritising more time to the topics you find the toughest.

Engage in active learning

Instead of just rote learning by re-reading notes, learn actively by drawing diagrams and models. Teach the concepts to others to gain a better understanding of the topics. You can also engage in quizzes and flashcards to improve your memory retention. Apply the concepts to real-life scenarios by conducting hands-on experiments.

Use multiple resources to study

Sticking only to your IB Biology study material can limit your knowledge, so go beyond your textbook and class notes. Diversify your study resources by watching online videos on the topics and exam papers from the previous year. It will help you gain a well-rounded understanding of the subjects.

Leverage the IMS Manya study material

IMS Manya offers a wide range of study materials, especially made for IB Biology. These include question banks, practice tests, and papers from previous years. Ensure that you make the best use of these excellent study resources. 

Stay organised

Be systematic and maintain a record of all your notes and study material. An organised approach will make it easier for you to review content effectively and keep track of your deadlines. 

Practice with past papers

Refer to previous years’ exam papers to understand the exam pattern and reduce unnecessary surprises during the exams. Practicing on these question papers tells you what questions to expect and how to use your time best.

Ask for help when needed

Doubts are a natural part of exam preparation, and the best way to settle them is to talk to your teachers and classmates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is IB Biology?

IB Biology is a moderately challenging course due to the broad syllabus. Some of the assignments involve memorising a lot of information. Students are also expected to apply their scientific knowledge to real-life situations. The course also expects students to retain vast details about concepts and terminologies, requiring them to read and revise frequently. 

There is also a difference between the difficulty levels of SL and HL. SL is considered less challenging than HL, which comprises a more in-depth syllabus. HL Biology can be very difficult, but it is ideal for students who wish to pursue biology at the university level.

How Many Papers in IB Biology?

IB Biology has two main exam papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. There is also an additional Internal Assessment (IA). Paper 3 has been removed as part of the new 2025 syllabus.

Paper 1 comprises multiple-choice and data-based questions. The number of questions and marks may vary for SL and HL.

Paper 2 contains short and long-response questions. The mark distribution may differ for SL and HL.

IA is an internal assessment centred on scientific investigations, which all students should participate in. It’s not technically a paper. 

What is the pass rate of IB Biology?

The International Baccalaureate Organization has yet to disclose the pass rate for IB Biology 2025 publicly. So far, only the overall pass rates of the Diploma Programme have been released, and IB Biology is not among the subjects with the lowest passing rates.

Prior reports peg the passing rates of IB Biology between 78% and 89%.

How to prepare for IB biology

Preparation involves a lot of planning since the course is content heavy with a lot of concepts to memorise.  Adopt multiple formats of study material like videos apart from the usual notes; use learning aids such as flashcards to memorise details; practise with previous years’ papers and always reach out to your tutors and classmates in case of doubts. Here’s a  detailed prep guide for IB biology