© IBO

The IB has published a new version of Frequently Asked Questions. This is dated January 2016 and can be downloaded from the OCC. Although it may be too late to alter your students' work as most will probably have already completed their IA by now it would be wise to read this carefully before uploading your students' IA marks onto IBIS and before uploading the samples for moderation.

There is also a new version of the data booklet that has just been uploaded onto the OCC. I think this is at least the fifth time it has been altered. The latest version is labelled Chemistry data booklet - First assessment 2016 - Third edition - Published June 2014 - Updated January 2016. This is the version that should be used for the examinations in May.

Be aware that as of now (27 February) there are still two different current versions of the Chemistry guide (first assessment 2016) that are side by side on the OCC.

One is the web version and the other is the pdf version. They should be identical but there are some significant differences.

For example under ‘Guidance’ in 10.1 the web version has

“The following nomenclature should be covered: non-cyclic alkanes and halogenoalkanes up to halohexanes.

alkenes up to hexene and alkynes up to hexyne.

compounds up to six carbon atoms (in the basic chain for nomenclature purposes) containing only one of the classes of functional groups: alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, halogenoalkanes, ketones, esters and carboxylic acids.”

Whereas the pdf version has

“The following nomenclature should be covered: – non-cyclic alkanes and halogenoalkanes up to halohexanes. – alkenes up to hexene and alkynes up to hexyne. – compounds up to six carbon atoms (in the basic chain for nomenclature purposes) containing only one functional group: such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, alkenyl etc”

Another difference occurs in the ‘Understandings’ listed in 14.1

Web version: "Delocalization involves electrons that are shared by/between all atoms in a molecule or ion as opposed to being localized between a pair of atoms."

pdf version: "Delocalization involves electrons that are shared by/between more than one pair in a molecule or ion as opposed to being localized between a pair of atoms."