IB Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield IB facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) is unique in the IB DP because it can fulfill requirements for which two groups simultaneously? → Groups 3 and 4
2. Which pair of CAS stages most directly supports the development of self-management skills? → Preparing and Acting
3. What does virtue ethics emphasize when analyzing an ethical issue in the Reflective Project? → The character traits and moral virtues of the people involved
4. What is the role of the salt bridge in an electrochemical cell? → To maintain electrical neutrality by allowing ion flow between half-cells
5. When a student suspects their external exam was marked incorrectly, what is the IB process called? → Enquiry upon results (EUR)
6. Which Group 4 Sciences subject is most closely associated with the study of matter, energy, and their interactions? → Physics
7. What is the main advantage of internal assessment over external exams in measuring student performance? → It allows assessment of skills that cannot be tested in timed exams
8. A student presents the same research project in English, Spanish, and using visual infographics for different audiences. This best demonstrates which attribute? → Communicator
9. Which structure in the kidney is responsible for selective reabsorption of glucose and amino acids? → Proximal convoluted tubule
10. Which of the following best describes a buffer solution? → A solution that resists changes in pH upon addition of small amounts of acid or base
11. What is absolute zero on the Kelvin temperature scale? → 0 K
12. Which of the following BEST describes a World Studies Extended Essay? → An interdisciplinary essay exploring a global issue through two IB subjects
13. In a food web, what percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next? → 10%
14. What is the area enclosed between y = x² and y = x over the interval where they intersect? → 1/6
15. What is the SI unit of electrical resistance? → Ohm
16. A student realizes mid-project that her original plan is not working and revises her approach. Which CAS stage does this revision primarily reflect? → Acting
17. Which literary concept is most central to the 'Intertextuality: connecting texts' area of exploration in IB English Language and Literature? → The way texts reference, echo, or respond to other texts
18. When a student shares their CAS portfolio with peers and explains what they learned, which stage are they primarily in? → Demonstrating
19. What is the second derivative of f(x) = x⁴ − 3x²? → 12x² − 6
20. In the Arts as an area of knowledge, knowledge is often conveyed through which primary means? → Aesthetic experience, symbolism, and emotional resonance
21. According to Le Chatelier's principle, increasing pressure on a gaseous equilibrium will shift the equilibrium toward the side with: → Fewer moles of gas
22. The 'Gettier problem' challenges the traditional definition of knowledge as 'justified true belief' by showing that: → A belief can be justified and true yet still not count as genuine knowledge
23. In order to induce a non-spontaneous reaction to occur, electrolysis needs energy input. False or true? → True
24. What is the product of translation? → A polypeptide chain assembled from amino acids
25. The IB History course at both SL and HL requires study of a minimum of how many Paper 2 world history topics? → Two
26. In IB English Language and Literature Paper 1, students are asked to: → Produce a guided literary analysis of an unseen text
27. What does the area under a velocity–time graph represent? → Displacement
28. When light passes from air into glass, which wave property changes? → Speed and wavelength
29. How does the IB recommend teachers support ATL skill development? → By embedding explicit ATL skill instruction within subject-area tasks and units
30. The concept of 'growth mindset,' as associated with Carol Dweck, most closely aligns with which ATL skill cluster? → Affective skills within self-management