Analysis and Approach SL Paper 2

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weighting: 40%

• This paper consists of section A, short-response questions, and section B, extended-response questions.
• A GDC is required for this paper, but not every question will necessarily require its use.

Syllabus coverage

Knowledge of all  SL topics is required for this paper. However, not all topics are necessarily assessed in every examination session.

Mark allocation

• This paper is worth 80 marks, representing 40% of the final mark.
• Questions of varying levels of difficulty and length are set. Therefore, individual questions may not necessarily each be worth the same number of marks. The exact number of marks allocated to each question is indicated at the start of the question.

Section A

• This section consists of compulsory short-response questions based on the whole syllabus. It is worth approximately 40 marks.
• The intention of this section is to assess students across the breadth of the syllabus. However, it should not be assumed that the separate topics are given equal emphasis.
• Question type
  
  • A small number of steps are needed to solve each question.
  • Questions may be presented in the form of words, symbols, diagrams or tables, or combinations of these.

Section B

• This section consists of a small number of compulsory extended-response questions based on the whole syllabus. It is worth approximately 40 marks.
• Individual questions may require knowledge of more than one topic.
• The intention of this section is to assess students across the breadth of the syllabus in depth. The range of syllabus topics tested in this section may be narrower than that tested in section A.
• Question type
  
  • Questions require extended responses involving sustained reasoning.
  • Individual questions will develop a single theme.
  • Questions may be presented in the form of words, symbols, diagrams or tables, or combinations of these.
  • Normally, each question reflects an incline of difficulty, from relatively easy tasks at the start of a question to relatively difficult tasks at the end of a question. The emphasis is on sustained reasoning.

Full marks are not necessarily awarded for a correct answer with no working. Answers must be supported by working and/or explanations. Solutions found from a graphic display calculator should be supported by suitable working. For example, if graphs are used to find a solution, you should sketch these as part of your answer. Where an answer is incorrect, some marks may be given for a correct method, provided this is shown by written working. You are therefore advised to show all working.