IB Sports, Exercise & Health Science HL
The Higher Level of IB SEHS. Applies anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and sport psychology to human performance, extended at HL with further physiology, nutrition, and training theory, combining lab work with theory.
Difficulty
Very Hard
Popularity
48%
Past questions
3
Study tips
5
Key Topics
Exam Format & Dates
May & November, annually
4 hours
1–7 scale (IB)
4 = passing | 6–7 = excellent
| Section | Duration | Content | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | ~1 hour | Multiple choice + data | 36% |
| Paper 2 | 1½ – 2½ hours | Short & extended response | 44% |
| Internal Assessment | Coursework | Scientific investigation | 20% |
Exam Breakdown & Insights
Difficulty · Elite
Popularity score
Student Poll
1 votesHow tough is this class, really?
Tap an option to vote and see live results.
Study Tips
- 1
Draw and label diagrams for every major process — reproducing them from memory is a powerful test of understanding.
- 2
Focus on explaining why things happen, not just what happens — exam questions reward cause-and-effect reasoning.
- 3
Use precise scientific vocabulary; examiners award marks for correct terminology used in context.
- 4
Past papers with mark schemes are the single best IB revision resource — learn exactly how marks are allocated.
- 5
Do not neglect your Internal Assessment: it is a significant chunk of your grade that you control before exam day.
Past Exam Questions
Define Anatomy and state the key facts a student must know, using precise scientific terminology.
Explain the mechanism behind Exercise Physiology: describe what happens and, crucially, why it happens. Include a labelled diagram where appropriate.
Design an experiment (or interpret given data) to investigate Energy Systems. Identify the variables, describe the method, and explain how you would analyse the results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕
Ignoring units and significant figures in calculations.
- ✕
Cramming content while neglecting experimental-design and data-analysis questions.
- ✕
Describing what happens instead of explaining why — extended questions grade the mechanism, not the observation.
Official Resources
Free, official study material for IB Sports, Exercise & Health Science HL — always start with the source your exam board publishes.
Ask Sage · your AI tutor
Ask anything about IB Sports, Exercise & Health Science HL — or upload your notes.
Ask anything, or attach your notes / past questions and I'll tutor you on them.