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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
HL

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 appearing27%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper3

Most tested objectives

  1. A3.2.4 (HL)—Clades10 questions
  2. A3.2.6 (HL)—Constructing cladograms10 questions
  3. A3.2.9 (HL)—Three domains classification8 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 2013–2025 · Updated 15 Jul 2026

Study checklistA3.2 Classification and cladistics [HL only]