IB Philosophy Paper 2: The Complete Guide to the Prescribed Text Exam

What Is IB Philosophy Paper 2?

In IBDP Philosophy, both HL and SL students sit Paper 2. It requires candidates to answer questions on a prescribed text (one studied in class). For SL students, Paper 2 is worth 25% of their final grade, whilst it is worth 20% at HL. Both sets of candidates sit the same paper for the same length of time; the difference is purely in weighting. 

IB Philosophy Paper 2 is built around engaging with a single philosophical text that has been studied in class. Consequently, the exam requires students to show in-depth knowledge of the ideas, content and reasoning behind their chosen philosophical text. 

Below you’ll find the titles of the prescribed philosophical texts for IB Philosohpy Paper 2, per the IBO. Students should check with their teacher which text is being studied:

  • Language, Truth and Logic, Alfred Jules Ayer

  • The Second Sex, Volume 1 part 1, Volume 2 part 1 and Volume 2 part 4, Simone de Beauvoir

  • The Analects, Confucius 

  • Meditations on First Philosophy, René Descartes

  • Black Skin, White Masks, Frantz Fanon

  • On Liberty, John Stuart Mill

  • The Genealogy of Morals, Friedrich Nietzsche

  • Creating Capabilities: The Human Development Approach, Martha C. Nussbaum

  • The Revolt of the Masses, José Ortega y Gasset

  • The Republic, Books IV–IX, Plato

  • The Ethics of Authenticity, Charles Taylor

  • Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu

How IB Philosophy Paper 2 Is Structured

In IB Philosophy Paper 2, students are required to select a question from 2 options offered on their prescribed text. This question is divided into part (a) and (b). 

Part (a) is worth 10 marks and requires students to explain a key concept, argument or position from their text. The command word “Explain” is always used in this section of Paper 2.

In Part (b), worth 15 marks, students must evaluate that same concept, argument or position from their text. Usually, the associated command word is “Evaluate”, but other past papers have been known to use “Discuss” as well. 

As you can tell, these questions are designed to build upon each other, giving the candidates the chance to engage deeply with the ideas being discussed in the questions. While part (a) is designed to test the candidates knowledge of their prescribed philosophical text, part (b) is examining the critical thought that is so essential for success in IB Philosophy. 

A key Paper 2 exam tip is to make sure to consider both question options before diving in. A part (a) that looks achievable at first glance may lead to a much trickier part (b). As noted above, students can’t switch between question options once started. If you’ve written your part (a), you must complete the corresponding part (b). 

The Open Book Rule in IB Philosophy Paper 2

The most recent syllabus change in IB Philosophy (first assessment in 2025) introduced a slight variation on IB Philosophy Paper 2—students are required to have a ‘clean’ copy of the text with them in the exam. This is known as an ‘open book’ exam, meaning that the text can be consulted throughout, if needed. 

In terms of what constitutes a clean copy, the IB is quite clear: there cannot be any annotations, or highlighting, or underlining. No notes can be used, and the text is meant to only be for consultation purposes. 

While seemingly a blessing for students who struggle to memorise quotations, open book exams can be tricky in a new way. It can lead students to leafing pointlessly through their copy of the text, searching for a quotation that they know is in there, but can’t find. Just because you will have a copy of the text in the exam doesn’t mean you can sit the exam without knowing its content in great detail. 

In open book exams, rather than being read, the copy of the text should be used to confirm quotations and phrasing. 

For the well-prepared student, it is very possible to complete IB Philosophy Paper 2 without even needing to consult their clean copy of the studied text. In fact, it might be preferable.

How to Navigate Part A of IB Philosophy Paper 2

First, it’s important to remember the purpose of the question. In part (a), candidates are expected to explain an argument or position clearly, accurately, and in their own words. They should avoid evaluating the ideas, and instead focus on how the philosopher presents their position within the prescribed text. 

For part (a), while there’s no set structure to follow when responding, there are expectations that must be met. Part (a) responses must identify the relevant section of the text and fully explain the concept or argument. Quoting from the text is expected and encouraged, but outside of brief quotations, the response must be in the candidate’s own words. After all, examiners can distinguish between genuine understanding and copied passages. Explanations should be supported with references to passages or examples from the text, and employ key terminology accurately. A truly strong part (a) response is thorough and focused, not an overall summary of the author’s work. 

Given the tight timings of the IB Philosophy Paper 2 exam and the 10 marks available on part (a), candidates should spend about 20 minutes on part (a).

How to Navigate Part B of IB Philosophy Paper 2

Part (b), worth 15 marks, is where the analytical weight of paper 2 sits. It is in this section that high-achieving students are able to distinguish themselves, as candidates are required to construct a reasoned and balanced argument that shows genuine engagement with the question. 

Similarly to part (a), there’s no set response structure for part (b) in IB Philosophy Paper 2, although presenting a position, counter arguments and responses to those counters is typically effective. Most importantly, students must make clear their own position on what they are being asked to evaluate. If aiming for the highest mark bands, the response should reference other philosophical responses to the prescribed text. 

The Paper 2 mark scheme rewards students who are thorough and precise in their reasoning and explanations, as well as those who end on a decisive conclusion that acknowledges complexity and nuance. Given the demands of the question, candidates should spend 35 minutes on part (b).

How to Revise for IB Philosophy Paper 2

Success in IB Philosophy, like all IB subjects, requires two full years of preparation. This includes Paper 2. Cramming, while a potentially useful tool, should be used sparingly when preparing for this exam. Instead, candidates must rely on extensive and consistent preparation. 

For IB Philosophy Paper 2, this must include multiple full read throughs of the prescribed text. What’s more, it’s essential that this also includes thorough note-taking—either in a separate copy of the text, or on a document. Understanding how the author’s arguments are built throughout the book is essential, particularly if a candidate is trying to remember where and when, for example, Nietzsche elaborates on his idea of the “human will to nothingness”. Candidates must develop a strong conception of the structure of their prescribed text. 

As exams approach, using past papers is obviously effective. These should always be completed under timed conditions. Pay close attention to timings, an hour is not very long to develop two thorough responses, so getting practice is really important. 

When drafting part (b) responses, candidates should make sure to engage with major critical perspectives on the prescribed text. It’s not enough to simply reference other philosophical ideas—engagement means evaluation of the significance of the response, and how it impacts our understanding of the philosopher’s ideas.

Start Your IB Philosophy Paper 2 Preparation with BartyED

IB Philosophy Paper 2 rewards those who combine deep knowledge of their prescribed text with the analytical discipline to explain accurately, evaluate fairly, and argue with precision in 60 minutes. These are skills that develop with structured, guided practice rather than independent reading alone. What’s more, cramming is not good enough. Skills are built up over time, not just in the six weeks leading up to exams. That’s why BartyED’s IB Philosophy tutors work with students throughout the course, focusing specifically on engagement with the prescribed Paper 2 text.

Our tutors are well-versed in the demands and rigours of the IBDP, and understand exactly what examiners are looking for in candidate responses.

To learn more, get in touch with BartyED to find the right IB Philosophy tutor for you. Contact us by phone +852 2882 1017, WhatsApp +852 57215837, email enquiries@bartyed.com, or fill in the form below.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • IB Philosophy Paper 2 requires candidates to answer two questions on their prescribed text. Part (a) requires them to explain a key argument or position from within the text, whilst the corresponding part (b) requires them to evaluate that same concept, argument or position.

  • In IB Philosophy Paper 2, 10 marks are available for part (a) and 15 marks are available for part (b), making 35 marks total. Paper 2 is worth 25% at SL and 20% at HL.

  • It is recommended to spend 20 minutes on part (a) and 35 minutes on part (b), leaving 5 minutes spare to check over your responses.

  • The most recent syllabus change in IB Philosophy (first assessment in 2025) introduced a requirement for students to have a ‘clean’ copy of the text with them in the exam: containing no annotations, highlighting, or underlining. This is known as an ‘open book’ exam, meaning that the text can be consulted throughout, if needed.

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IB Diploma, PhilosophyKathryn Ealand