| Component | Max | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100 | 34 | 46 | 59 | 71 |
| Component | Max | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100 | 33 | 45 | 58 | 70 |
Paper 1A
Second session of the new format; most items were conceptual and calculator items were manageable. Every SL item also appeared at HL, with SL facility notably lower; blanks were few.
Found difficult
- internal energy
- greenhouse effect
- electrostatics
- magnetic force on a moving charge
- spacetime diagrams
- photoelectric effect
- stellar parallax
Well prepared
- specific heat capacity
- total internal reflection
- escape speed
- Lorentz factor
| Q | Topic | How it went | Where marks were lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| HL1 / SL1 | constant change in velocity | Answered well | Nothing specific reported.Tip: Keep speed and velocity distinct. |
| HL3 / SL3 | force on an oscillating mass | Mixed | chose the maximum force (SL) |
| HL4 / SL4 | momentum in an interaction | Mixed | confused momentum and energy conservation |
| HL10 / SL6 | non-linear relationship graph | Mixed | picked a curve without deriving the equation (SL)Tip: Derive the equation before choosing the graph shape. |
| HL11 / SL7 | definition of specific heat capacity | Answered well | Nothing specific reported.Tip: Dimensional analysis quickly identifies the right expression. |
| HL12 / SL8 | Earth energy balance diagram | Most struggled | filled the missing number to make 1.0; confused radiated-to-space with surface emission |
| HL13 / SL9 | calculation | Answered well | arithmetic error |
| HL14 / SL10 | internal energy during a phase change | Most struggled | assumed constant temperature means constant internal energyTip: During phase change, potential energy changes, so internal energy changes. |
| HL17 / SL11 | circuit with a battery and resistor | Most struggled | random guessingTip: Eliminate options that break current conservation. |
| HL18 / SL12 | simple harmonic motion | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| HL20 / SL13 | refraction and amplitude | Mixed | ignored simultaneous reflection and absorption |
| HL21 / SL14 | critical angle (calculator) | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| HL24 / SL15 | harmonic frequencies | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| HL25 / SL16 | graph from a data booklet relationship | Most struggled | could not turn the equation into a graph |
| HL26 / SL17 | recognising physical laws | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| HL30 / SL19 | charging by induction | Most struggled | ambiguous order of steps; two keys accepted |
| HL32 / SL20 | direction of magnetic force | Most struggled | gave field direction instead of forceTip: Check whether the question asks for the field or the force. |
| HL37 / SL22 | graph interpretation | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| HL39 / SL24 | item not described | Mixed | guessing without elimination |
| HL40 / SL25 | parallax distance | Mixed | SL facility only 29% |
| HL 5 | calculation | Mixed | arithmetic error |
| HL 7 | energy not conserved in an interaction | Most struggled | assumed energy is conserved |
| HL 8 | worldline speed on a spacetime diagram | Most struggled | chose a faster-than-light worldlineTip: Worldlines of massive objects lie within 45 degrees of the time axis. |
| HL 9 | Lorentz factor at 0.8c | Answered well | gave inverse of gamma |
| HL 15 | entropy from the data booklet | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| HL 23 | grating maxima spacing and number | Most struggled | guessed between two options |
| HL 28 | direction of acceleration | Most struggled | random guessing; many blanks |
| HL 29 | escape speed | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| HL 31 | potential difference in a field | Most struggled | used V instead of V/2 |
| HL 34 | Bohr model for hydrogen-like ions | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| HL 36 | photoelectric graph and work function | Mixed | did not see work function as intercept |
What to practise
- Build MCQs into teaching to surface misconceptions.
- Practise the shared Paper 1 time limit during the course.
- Eliminate wrong options before guessing.
- Read stems closely for words like force versus field.
Paper 1B
Two questions on viscosity and the Stefan-Boltzmann law; straightforward calculations went well, but logarithmic graphs, conclusions tied to the aim and command terms were weak.
Found difficult
- command terms
- drawing conclusions
- accuracy and precision
- logarithmic graphs
- best-fit lines
- uncertainty propagation
Well prepared
- improving data range
| Q | Topic | How it went | Where marks were lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1a | precision of a balance reading | Mixed | referred to accuracy or decimal places; wrong power of ten |
| 1b | buoyant force from weights | Most struggled | used the value to be shownTip: In show-that items, never use the target value in the working. |
| 1c | density calculation | Answered well | mN not converted to N |
| 1d | best-fit line for two-stage motion | Most struggled | single line through first and last pointsTip: Fit the curve to the physics: a curve while accelerating, a line at terminal speed. |
| 1e | verifying terminal velocity | Mixed | defined terminal velocity without using the graph |
| 1f | viscosity with uncertainty and unit | Most struggled | power of ten errors; percent given as absolute; missing unitTip: Give uncertainty to one significant figure and include the unit. |
| 1g | conclusion with uncertainty | Most struggled | no reason using the uncertainty range |
| 2a | table calculations | Answered well | left table blanks |
| 2b | linearising Stefan-Boltzmann with logs | Most struggled | only quoted gradient from axis labelsTip: Take logs of the law and match it to y = mx + c. |
| 2c | constant from the intercept | Most struggled | used a single data point; calculator errors |
| 2d | conclusion against the aim | Most struggled | compared constant values without addressing the lawTip: Link the conclusion back to what the investigation set out to test. |
| 2e | improvement | Answered well | suggested repeats |
What to practise
- Teach command terms and their expected depth explicitly.
- Practise calculator work with logarithms, exponents and scientific notation.
- Practise writing evidence-based conclusions with uncertainty ranges.
- Practise drawing best-fit lines by hand informed by the physics.
Paper 2
Energy levels, circular motion, induction and calculation-heavy items went well; background radiation, rotational dynamics, heat engines, harmonics and multi-step derivations were weak.
Found difficult
- background radiation
- radioactive decay
- binding energy
- heat engine efficiency
- rotational dynamics
- latent heat
- standing waves
- derivations
Well prepared
- atomic energy levels
- circular motion
- magnetic force on a current
- gas laws
- interference
- diffraction
- electromagnetic induction
- photoelectric effect
- Compton scattering
| Q | Topic | How it went | Where marks were lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1a | simple item | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| 1b | calculation | Mixed | unit conversion errors; wrong formula |
| 2ai | forces on a pendulum in an accelerating truck | Mixed | added an extra force; vertical tension not matched to weightTip: Draw only real forces; no net or fictitious force arrows. |
| 2aii | pendulum in an accelerating truck | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| 2b | angle of the pendulum | Mixed | measured angle from the wrong reference |
| 2c | explanation | Most struggled | Nothing specific reported. |
| 2d | comparing stopping | Mixed | compared forces |
| 3a | circular motion item | Most struggled | Nothing specific reported. |
| 3b | circular motion | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| 3c | circular motion explanation | Mixed | explained only via centripetal force size |
| 4ai | background count rate | Most struggled | blank |
| 4aii | decay equation | Most struggled | misapplied decay equation |
| 4aiii | binding energy per nucleon comparison | Most struggled | guessed Bi had higher valueTip: More stable products have higher binding energy per nucleon. |
| 4aiv | range of alpha particles | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| 4b | nuclear item | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| 5a | thermodynamic cycle | Mixed | blanks |
| 5b | heat engine efficiency | Most struggled | Nothing specific reported. |
| 6a | linear and angular acceleration | Most struggled | Nothing specific reported. |
| 6b | rotational dynamics | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| 7a | accessible item | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| 7b | accessible item | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| 8a | recognising induction | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| 8bi | induction | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| 8bii | force opposing a moving rod | Mixed | blamed friction |
| 9ai | calculation | Mixed | unrealistic answersTip: Check whether sizes and densities are physically realistic. |
| 9aii | calculation | Mixed | Nothing specific reported. |
| 9aiii | cube root step | Mixed | blanks |
| 9b | energy transfer | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| 9c | energy during melting | Most struggled | confused concepts |
| 9di | standing wave definition | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| 9dii | harmonic pattern on a rod | Most struggled | wrong harmonics; ignored boundary conditions in stemTip: Use the boundary conditions given to place nodes and antinodes. |
| 9diii | harmonic calculation | Most struggled | Nothing specific reported. |
| 9ei | explanation | Mixed | repeated the stem |
| 9eii | wavelengths in air and copper | Mixed | wrong wavelengths |
| 10a | particle nature of light | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| 10bi | radiation pressure derivation | Most struggled | no photon momentum; unclear stepsTip: Show each derivation step algebraically so it can be followed. |
| 10bii | derivation from photon energy | Mixed | loose formulas |
| 10ci | acceleration from radiation pressure | Most struggled | Nothing specific reported. |
| 10cii, 10ciii | calculations | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
| 10d | orbital diagram and reasoning | Most struggled | justified from orbital velocity equation |
| 10e | derivation | Answered well | Nothing specific reported. |
What to practise
- Structure explain answers as if teaching someone else.
- Lay out derivations so each substitution can be followed.
- Treat unrealistic numerical results as a signal to recheck.
- Read the stem for hints and context before applying concepts.
Internal assessment
What moderators raised about the scientific investigation this session, criterion by criterion.
- Research design. background not focused on why the variable should matter or how to detect the effect
- Research design. restating textbook relationships without framing as confirmation or precision measurement
- Data analysis. absurd significant figures, linear confused with proportional, forced linear fits
- Data analysis. uncertainty set to zero for unvarying readings instead of least count
- Conclusion. restating numbers or procedure instead of what the result means physically
- Conclusion. no comparison with an accepted value or plausible range
- Evaluation. generic error lists and improvements not linked to the method
- Evaluation. AI-written or padded sections (summaries, contents, long bibliographies) without proper attribution
About this summary
After every session the IB sends schools a subject report: how candidates did on each paper and question, and what teachers should work on. This page is my reading of the Physics report for November 2025 TZ3, in my own words. No text from the report or from the exam questions is reproduced, and it is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate.
Session codes: TZ is the time zone variant of the papers. Other variants of the same session:
Frequently asked questions
Which questions were hardest in Physics November 2025 TZ3?
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The questions most candidates struggled with were on Earth energy balance diagram, internal energy during a phase change, circuit with a battery and resistor and graph from a data booklet relationship. The tables above list every question discussed in the report, paper by paper.
What did candidates find difficult in November 2025 TZ3?
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Across the papers the examiners listed internal energy, greenhouse effect, electrostatics, magnetic force on a moving charge, spacetime diagrams, photoelectric effect, stellar parallax and command terms, among others.
What were the grade boundaries for Physics November 2025 TZ3?
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Physics HL: a 7 from 71 out of 100 overall in November 2025 TZ3. Physics SL: a 7 from 70 out of 100 overall in November 2025 TZ3. The component boundaries are in the table on this page.
Is this the official IB subject report?
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No. It is my summary of the report the IB issues to schools after each session, rewritten in my own words with a teacher's reading of it. No text from the report or from exam questions is reproduced. Your school's IB coordinator can access the original.