May 2025 Paper 2: Sample Response 1 (Question 1)
This week, we are starting to publish exemplars from the May 2025 Paper 2 examination. It's important to remember that May and November 2025 Paper 2s were marked using what is now “old” criteria that totaled 30 overall points.
For May 2026 and beyond, the IB has (slightly) shifted things. They've added criterion B2 and made the entire assessment out of 25 total points instead of 30. We won't have official grade boundaries for Paper 2 until the IB publishes their subject reports in mid to late September of 2026 after exams have taken place and the Enquiry Upon Results (EURs) have been finalized.
For that reason, we are including what this exam did receive in May 2025 and what it potentially may have received if this was a May 2026 examination. Also note that every single exemplar - more than 25 of them currently on the site! - is marked using both sets of criteria.
For this particular model example, you will find the student knows their two literary works really well. The focus on the question is a particular strength. And, as with most essays, even more comparing and/or contrasting would have allowed this student to shine even more. However, this is an excellent essay and all students would do extremely well if they wrote like this in their exam!
As always, use what works for you, in your context, with your particular students and modify anything you need to change.
Best,
Tim and David