D4.1.7—Sexual selection
Sexual selection favours traits that increase mating success, even when those traits may reduce survival in evolving populations in evolving populations.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- D4.1.7
- Level
- HL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing4%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2020
Most common paperPaper3
Typical marks3
Common command terms
- Explain
- Suggest
- Evaluate
Recent exam appearances
November 2020Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ08(b)[ 3 ]D4.1.7—Sexual selection
November 2020Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ08(a)[ 2 ]D4.1.7—Sexual selection
November 2019Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ07(b)[ 3 ]D4.1.7—Sexual selection
November 2018Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ07(a)[ 3 ]D4.1.7—Sexual selection
November 2013Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ06[ 6 ]D4.1.7—Sexual selection
Practice this objective
Coverage 2013–2020 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Sexual selection acts through mating success.
- A trait can spread if it increases reproduction despite survival costs.
- Mate choice and competition for mates are common sexual selection mechanisms.