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Paper 2 is the second examination you'll face in your IB Philosophy assessments. In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of IB Philosophy Paper 2, ensuring you are familiarised with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect.
IB Philosophy Paper 2
- For SL, Paper 2 contributes 25% to the overall subject grade, while for HL, it accounts for 20%
- Both SL and HL students have 1 hour to complete Paper 2.
- Paper 2 is an extended response paper.
- Students answer 1 question based on a prescribed text.
Students may expect the Paper 2 questions to look the following way:
Simone de Beauvoir: The Second Sex, Vol.1 part 1, Vol. 2 part 1, and Vol.2 part 4.
- (a) Explain why private property is the ''great historical defeat of the female sex'' [10]
(b) Evaluate why private property is the ''great historical defeat of the female sex'' [15]
Philosophy Paper 2 tips
To do well in IB Philosophy Paper 2 you need a strong understanding of the text’s key ideas, themes, and arguments so make sure you have a deep understanding of the text before the exam. Make sure that your answer is analytical, especially when dealing with an ''evaluate'' question. This means you must go beyond explanation and consider different viewpoints, strengths, and weaknesses of the argument. A strong response includes both the philosopher’s ideas and possible counterarguments.
Structure your essay clearly: start with an introduction that outlines your argument, develop your points in well-organized paragraphs with analysis, and conclude by reinforcing your main ideas. You have only 1 hour to complete this paper so it is crucial you manage your time wisely. Creating and following a plan can be helpful in ensuring that you stay focused and don't run out of time.
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