Table of contents
- How the IB Spanish exam works
- IB Spanish exam structure
- How the IB Spanish exam is marked
- IB Spanish exam CEFR equivalent
- When is the IB Spanish exam?
- How to prepare for the IB Spanish exam
- Start studying today!
Nearly 2 million students in over 160 countries have been part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. It educates students ages 3-19 across a wide range of subjects, including language.
Those studying the IB Diploma Programme (ages 16-19) can choose to take a modern language course as part of their curriculum. If you choose Spanish as your modern language, you'll take the IB Spanish Exam.
If you have no experience in your target language, you can study the "language ab initio" course, which has its own exam. But for those with experience in the target language, there is the "language B" course and exam.
Like most Spanish exams, the Language B exam covers reading, writing, speaking, and listening. But the format and method of marking are more unique.
So we've created this complete guide for the language B IB Spanish exam. Read on to learn how the assessment works and how you can prepare for it!
How the IB Spanish exam works
The IB Spanish exam assesses how well-rounded a student's language skills are. Therefore it covers several topics, styles of text, and communication styles, as we'll explain below.
Topics Covered
The language B syllabus is organised into 5 prescribed themes:
- Identities
- Health and lifestyle
- Personal expression
- How do language and culture form our identity?
- Experiences
- How does our past shape us?
- What cultural experiences have affected our worldview?
- How does travel broaden our experience?
- Human ingenuity
- How have recent scientific advances improved our lives?
- How has technological innovation changed the way we shop/eat/travel?
- What does cultural expression tell us about a culture?
- Social organisation
- What role does language play in society?
- How do rules and regulations influence social behaviour?
- How is your school or community organised?
- Sharing the planet
- What environmental issues are currently affecting the world?
- How does sustainability affect our daily life?
- What challenges does globalisation bring?
Styles of text
Examinees could be asked to explore these themes using 3 different communication styles:
- Personal/casual: emails, texts, diary entries
- Professional/formal: business letters, proposals, instructions
- Mass media: podcasts, adverts, web pages
Some texts may be written, but others may be for you to listen to or discuss orally.
IB Spanish exam tiers
Students can choose to take the standard level (SL) or higher level (HL) of the language B IB Spanish exam. The major difference between the courses is their length of study. The SL course is 150 hours, while the HL is 240 hours.
HL students should therefore have a better grasp of the Spanish language, so each exam section is longer. HL students also have to study two literary works in Spanish.
IB Spanish exam structure
The exam is split into three parts:
- Paper 1: productive skills (writing)
- Paper 2: receptive skills (reading and listening)
- Internal Assessment: interactive skills (speaking)
IB Spanish paper 1
Paper 1 is an external assessment, and makes up 25% of the total marks. It lasts:
- SL: 1 hour 15 minutes
- HL: 1 hour 30 minutes
There are three different writing tasks to choose from, each based on a different theme. Examinees only need to answer one, but will need to write about 450-600 words on the topic.
Options may differ in both topic and style of writing. For example, one task could be writing a diary entry about a holiday. Another could be an essay debating an environmental issue.
Examinees are expected to adjust their tone and choice of language according to the task. Have some handy facts prepared and be ready to express your opinions!
IB Spanish paper 2
Paper 2 is also external, but since this paper tests both reading and listening skills, it makes up 50% of the total marks. It lasts:
- SL: 1 hour 45 minutes
- HL: 2 hours
It contains three written passages to test reading skills, and three audio passages to test listening skills. The questions require much shorter answers, such as in multiple-choice format, to demonstrate a good understanding of the text.
IB internal assessment
The final part of the exam tests your speaking skill in response to a stimulus. While your teacher will conduct it, it will be recorded for external moderators to assess. It lasts 12-15 minutes (plus preparation time), and makes up 25% of the total marks.
Standard level
SL students are presented with a choice of two visual stimuli, such as photos. They will then have 15 minutes to prepare for the exam, and can note down approximately 10 bullet points to keep with them. There are then three oral tasks:
- Deliver a presentation based on the stimulus (3-4 minutes)
- Follow-up conversation with the teacher, who asks open-ended questions about the presentation (4-5 minutes)
- General discussion with open-ended questions on a different course theme (5-6 minutes)
Higher level
HL students are presented with a choice of an extract (up to 300 words) from each of the two literary works studied in the course. They have 20 minutes to prepare, and can note down approximately 10 bullet points to aid them. There are then three oral tasks:
- Presentation summarising and analysing the extract as well as expressing personal views, and relating the extract to the rest of the work (3-4 minutes)
- Follow-up conversation with the teacher. Discuss ideas from the presentation. Make connections to previous cultural experiences. Show appreciation of the diversity of the target language. Examinees need to hold an authentic conversation, so ask questions and share opinions (4-5 minutes)
- General discussion on a different course theme. Examinees should make connections to their lives and show off what they know about Spanish language and culture (5-6 minutes)
How the IB Spanish exam is marked
Across all the assessments, the exam is marked based on three key criteria.
Language
Examinees should demonstrate a good command of the language. That includes a technical understanding of Spanish grammar and other language rules, as well as a wide vocabulary.
Use more complex sentence structures and advanced language concepts if you can. You will set yourself apart by using idioms and expressions.
Message
Examinees should be able to put across a clear message. Even if you make some technical mistakes, they shouldn't change the overall meaning.
This criteria also involves developing ideas and arguments fully in a logical structure with relevant examples, both when writing and speaking. So avoid straying off-topic or onto tangents that distract from your point.
Conceptual understanding
Examinees demonstrate conceptual understanding by not just knowing the "what" of language but the "why" and "how."
For example, even if your answers are grammatically impressive, if they use the wrong tone for the setting, that demonstrates a lack of language understanding. Do this well by considering context, purpose, and audience when answering. Particularly in the speaking assessment, be sure to engage your teacher (your audience) in conversation, not just talk at them.
IB Spanish exam CEFR equivalent
The language B IB Spanish Exam is equivalent to CEFR level B2. That is described as an upper-intermediate independent user.
When is the IB Spanish exam?
According to the IB website, the 2025 Diploma Programme IB exams will take place in May. Students will sit the Spanish IB papers on May 14th and 15th.
How to prepare for the IB Spanish exam
Now that you know how it works and how it's marked, the next question is how to study for it.
Most resources will tell you "practice, practice, practice!" While that's true to some extent, the way you practice has more of an effect than how much you do it. You need the right techniques and tools to make your study stick.
That's exactly what we're here for.
Check out our full guide to preparing for the IB Spanish exam, complete with learning techniques and exercises so you can monitor your progress.
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