IB English B SL
The Standard Level of IB English B for learners of English as an additional language. Builds receptive, productive, and interactive skills across the five IB themes using a range of authentic texts.
Difficulty
Challenging
Popularity
54%
Past questions
3
Study tips
5
Key Topics
Exam Format & Dates
May & November, annually
2 hours 45 minutes
1–7 scale (IB)
4 = passing | 6–7 = excellent
| Section | Duration | Content | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Writing | 1 – 1¼ hours | Productive writing task | 25% |
| Paper 2 — Listening & Reading | ~2 hours | Comprehension | 50% |
| Individual Oral (IA) | Coursework | Assessed speaking task | 25% |
Exam Breakdown & Insights
Difficulty · Demanding
Popularity score
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Study Tips
- 1
Practice a little every day — 20 minutes daily beats a 3-hour session once a week for language retention.
- 2
Use spaced-repetition flashcards for vocabulary, and always learn words inside full example sentences.
- 3
Practice speaking out loud, even alone — fluency under exam pressure comes from muscle memory.
- 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
Write a short structured response on the theme of Identities, using a range of tenses and topic-specific vocabulary.
Read/listen to a passage about Experiences and answer comprehension questions in the target language, justifying your answers with evidence from the text.
Give a presentation and respond to questions on Human Ingenuity, expressing and defending your own opinion with accurate, varied language.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕
Losing easy marks on agreement rules: genders, endings, and accents.
- ✕
Translating word-for-word from your first language instead of thinking in target-language structures.
- ✕
Leaving listening practice to the last minute — it is the slowest skill to improve.
Official Resources
Free, official study material for IB English B SL — always start with the source your exam board publishes.
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