🔍 1. A New Syllabus Built Around Four Core Themes
The 2025 IB Biology syllabus introduces a clear conceptual framework structured around four major themes explored at different levels of biological organization—molecules, cells, organisms, and ecosystems:
- Theme A – Unity & Diversity
- Theme B – Form & Function
- Theme C – Interaction & Interdependence
- Theme D – Continuity & Change
RevisionDojo’s Complete Guide to IB Biology provides a full breakdown (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com).
🎯 2. Core Topics for SL and HL Students
All students cover essential topics like:
- Cell biology (structure, transport, origins)
- Molecular biology (biomolecules, metabolism, DNA)
- Genetics (inheritance, gene editing)
- Ecology and evolution
HL students dive deeper into:
- Muscle physiology, chemical/neural signaling
- Gene expression, viruses, cladistics
As outlined in Complete Guide to IB Biology (revisiondojo.com).
🔬 3. Practical Work Requirements and Teaching Hours
- SL students complete around 40 hours of practical work within a total of ~150 teaching hours.
- HL students complete 60 hours of practical work and approximately 240 total teaching hours.
RevisionDojo highlights these increased expectations in their syllabus overview (revisiondojo.com).
📝 4. Assessment Structure Without Paper 3 Options
- External Exams (~80%):
- Paper 1: Multiple‑choice and data‑based questions
- Paper 2: Short and extended responses
- Note: Paper 3 (Option-Based content) has been removed under the new syllabus.
- Internal Assessment (IA) remains 20% of your final mark, with standard IA hour requirements (approx. 10 hours).
This streamlined assessment structure is explained in Complete Guide to IB Biology (revisiondojo.com).
🧭 5. What RevisionDojo Recommends for Syllabus Success
- Use structured notes aligned to the four core themes and organization levels.
The Ultimate Guide to IB Biology 2025 Onward Notes shows how to integrate RevisionDojo’s summaries into your studies (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com). - Practice exam-style questions across new formats—especially data‑based questions and analysis prompts—with RevisionDojo’s updated papers and examples (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com).
- Follow How to Get a 7 in IB Biology 2025 Onward for key exam strategies including IA design, conceptual mastery, and time management (revisiondojo.com).
📋 Quick Summary Table
Feature Details Under 2025 Syllabus Core Themes Four (A–D) across molecular, cellular, organism, ecosystem SL vs HL Content HL includes additional topics: signaling, gene expression Practical Hours SL: ~40 hrs; HL: ~60 hrs Total Teaching Hours SL: ~150 hrs; HL: ~240 hrs Exam Structure Paper 1 (MCQ/data), Paper 2 (structured); no Paper 3 parts IA Weighting 20% of final grade
Derived from the comprehensive guide (revisiondojo.com).
❓ FAQs
Q1. How is the 2025 syllabus assessed differently?
It removes Paper 3 and focuses on Papers 1 and 2, both aligned with the new thematic organization (revisiondojo.com).
Q2. Do HL students now study more topics?
Yes—‘HL‑only’ topics like chemical signaling and cladistics are included within the same themed structure (revisiondojo.com).
Q3. How much practical work is required for HL?
HL requires approximately 60 hours of practical work versus 40 hours for SL (revisiondojo.com).
Q4. How can RevisionDojo help with the new syllabus?
They offer aligned topic notes, question banks, IA support, and guided exam preparedness tuned to the 2025 changes (revisiondojo.com).
🧠 Final Thoughts
The 2025 IB Biology syllabus reimagines the course around integrated themes, practical engagement, and conceptual depth. Whether at SL or HL, students are challenged to think across scales, refine experimental skills, and apply biological concepts to real-world scenarios. With RevisionDojo’s updated resources, you can adapt quickly to this modern curriculum and start excelling on your path.
📣 Call to Action
Ready to master the 2025 syllabus?
- Explore RevisionDojo’s notes and flashcards aligned with the four core themes
- Practice using IB Biology (New syllabus) paper sets on the RevisionDojo platform
- Follow the “Get a 7” guide to structure your study plan and maximize exam performance
Visit RevisionDojo today to study smarter and embrace the new IB Biology curriculum with confidence!
