To get an A in IB Chemistry SL/HL and a 7 on the exam, you need to be using the best study materials for your learning style. In this article, I will review some IB Chemistry SL/HL books to help you narrow your search.
2022 IB Exam Changes Due to COVID-19
Because of the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the IB has decided to extend the adaptations which were put in place for 2021 to 2022. May 2022 IB assessments will have two routes, exam and non-exam, depending on which your school chooses. Stay up to date with the latest information on what this means for IB diplomas, course credit for IB classes, and more with our our IB COVID-19 FAQ article.
Who Should Use This Article?
This post is for IB Chemistry students who are want to do well in the classroom and on the IB Chemistry SL/HL exam.
If you're looking for a book that will help you cram for a few days before the IB exam, any of the books we mention below will work for you. But if you're looking to ace the test, it's best to choose a book that will help supplement what you learn in class. If that's your goal, you should pick the book carefully. Make sure you're picking a study book that fits your unique needs!
Top IB Chemistry SL/HL Books
I've split the best IB Chemistry books into a few categories to help you make your decision:
- Best Textbook: This text is our overall winner. It's the best book to help you learn throughout the school year, no matter your strengths or weaknesses.
- Best Study Resource for Quick Learning During the School Year: This is our top recommendation for all students to master topics quickly.
- Best Study Guide for Mid-Scoring Students: This text provides more in-depth explanations for those who need a little more help understanding the material.
- Best Value Study Guide: This book will give you the most bang for your (limited) buck.
- Book to Avoid: This book lacks all of the material you need to succeed.
Best IB Chemistry Textbook
IB Chemistry Course Book: 2014 Edition: Oxford IB Diploma Program
Price on Amazon: about $48
Description: This is the go-to textbook for IB Chemistry SL/HL. The Oxford University Press is the only publisher who coordinates directly with the IBO to create their books, which means they better understand what the IBO wants you to learn for the IB exam. They're also able to create the most realistic practice IB Chemistry problems.
Pros:
- Developed directly with input from the IBO
- High-quality explanations
- Realistic practice questions
- Organized logically, with practice integrated throughout
Cons:
- This textbook is thorough in its coverage of the syllabus, but it won't help you find the best study method for your learning style. It The best way for you to study for IB Chemistry may not be cover to cover! Unfortunately, this book doesn't give clear guidance on how best to customize its content for your needs
- Does not contain study strategies or test strategies
- More expensive than other guides
Best Study Guide for Mid-Scoring Students
IB Chemistry Study Guide: 2014 Edition: Oxford IB Diploma Program
Price on Amazon: about $34
Description: This is the go-to IB Chemistry Study Guide when you've got limited time to study. Also published by The Oxford University Press, this study guide complements the IB Chemistry Course Book mentioned above. This book breaks topics down into comprehensible sections, with pictures to help cement concepts. Also, IB Chemistry exam preparation material is integrated to make sure you excel on the IB Chemistry exam.
Pros:
- Developed directly with the IB
- High-quality content
- Realistic practice problems and exam material
- Organized logically, with practice integrated coherently
- Very thorough for those who need a little extra help in addition to their textbook / class lectures
Cons:
- This book is better for thoroughness and not very good for customized prep
- More expensive than other guides
Best Study Resource for Fast Learning Throughout the School Year
IB Chemistry (SL and HL) Examination Flashcard Study System: IB Test Practice Questions & Review for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Cards)
Price on Amazon: about $47
Description: Flashcards are a good study option for IB Chemistry since there are many specific terms and formulas to memorize. These flashcards help break the subjects down into manageable sections so that you can easily memorize important information. Unlike the Oxford University Press, this company doesn't work with IBO, but they use the IB Chemistry syllabus to make sure they cover all subjects.
These flashcards are a great resource to use for studying during the school year for your in-class IB Chemistry tests. You can focus just on the applicable flashcards for each quiz. Even though there are no IB exam practice questions, these flashcards are still good for exam review because they cover core concepts.
Since most of the IB Chemistry exam questions ask you to repeat memorized facts (such as asking you to decide "Which statement about reactivity is correct?"), these flashcards are a great tool to help you get a 7 on your exam.
Pros:
- Developed using the IB Chemistry syllabus
- Provides a high-quality content review
- Breaks down big topics into small manageable parts
- Organized by topic, making it easy to help you memorize throughout the year, not just for the IB exam
Cons:
- Doesn't give advice on how to use the flashcards to study. I encourage you to use our "waterfall method"
- These flashcards just have space for brief explanations. If you don't understand a topic, you will need to refer back to another resource to help cement understanding.
- More expensive than other guides
Best Value Study Guide
IB Chemistry Notes by Vincent Keat Standard Level and Higher Level
Price on Amazon: About $16-$19 each
Description: What I love about these books is that they are topic specific. These notes were written following the IB Chemistry SL and HL syllabus and are broken down into syllabus-specific content areas. They also contain fully worked examples on each topic and are an ideal resource for test preparation throughout the school year as well as for the IB Chemistry exam.
Pros:
- Developed using the IB Chemistry syllabus
- High-quality content review
- Fully worked examples of each topic
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons:
- Does not contain full practice tests
- Does not contain study strategies or test strategies
Book to Avoid
IB Chemistry (SL and HL) Examination Secrets Study Guide: IB Test Review for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Mometrix Secrets Study Guides)
Price on Amazon: about $45
Description: This study guide for IB Chemistry covers the core topics of the syllabus including some practice questions for paper 1 (the multiple-choice section of the exam). However, it doesn't review any of the options (tested on paper 3 of the IB Chemistry exam) or include any practice for paper 2 questions.
Pros:
- Focused review of IB Chemistry core topics
- Includes practice questions from paper 1 with detailed answer explanations
- Includes test tips and strategies
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other materials
- Missing review of the options, which count for ⅓ of the IB Chemistry exam
- Missing review of paper 2 questions, which count for ⅓ of the IB Chemistry exam
- This book is too expensive to spend money on when it is missing ⅔ of the material needed to succeed on the IB Chemistry exam
Other (Free) Study Resources
While these are great study aids, we know they can be pretty pricey. Find other free IB Chemistry study resources in our IB Chemistry Study Guide. Also, check out our article on where to find IB Chemistry past papers to help you practice for the exam.
What's Next?
Learn more about IB Chemistry by checking out the complete IB chemistry syllabus.
Trying to figure out what extracurricular you should do? Learn more about participating in Science Olympiad, starting a club, doing volunteer work, and joining Student Government.
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