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A3.2 Classification and cladistics [HL only]

Classification and cladistics use hierarchy, molecular evidence, clades, cladograms, molecular clocks, and domains to organize evolutionary relationships across biodiversity accurately.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Topic
A3.2
Level
—

What you’ll learn

9 learning objectives

Choose one objective for a focused lesson, or study the complete topic.

Exam analysis

An aggregate view of how the complete A3.2 Classification and cladistics [HL only] appears across past papers.

Chance of appearing22%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper2

Most tested objectives

  1. A3.2.9 (HL)—Three domains classification22 questions
  2. A3.2.4 (HL)—Clades18 questions
  3. A3.2.6 (HL)—Constructing cladograms14 questions

Common question formats

  • Structured response
  • Evaluation
  • Definition or recall
  • Case study
  • Process explanation
  • Extended response
  • Diagram interpretation
  • Data analysis
  • Comparison
  • Essay response

Exam question appearances

November 2025Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ37(a)[ 2 ]A3.2.7 (HL)—Analysing cladograms
November 2025Paper1A ["HL"] · TZ122[ 1 ]A3.2.4 (HL)—Clades
November 2025Paper1A ["HL"] · TZ321[ 1 ]A3.2.9 (HL)—Three domains classification
May 2025Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ29(c)[ 8 ]A3.2.3 (HL)—Advantages of evolutionary classification
May 2025Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ37(d)[ 1 ]A3.2.6 (HL)—Constructing cladograms
Practice this topic

5 original exam-style questions based on the patterns above.

Coverage 2010–2025 · Updated 15 Jul 2026

Study checklistA3.2 Classification and cladistics [HL only]