How Many IB English Language and Literature Papers Are There?

If you’re studying IB English Language and Literature you’re probably curious about the exam structure. It’s a good question. Knowing how many IB English Language and Literature papers there are will help you to prepare. You know what they say - preparation is the path to success!

In short, there are two main exam papers for both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) students. There are other assessments, too. Let’s look at how you’ll get your final grade.

Key Takeaways

• Both SL and HL students sit two written exam papers: Paper 1 (Guided Textual Analysis) and Paper 2 (Comparative Essay)

  • Paper 1 tests your ability to analyse unseen texts.

  • Paper 2 asks you to compare two works you've studied in class.

• HL and SL students complete exams and an oral presentation

• HL students complete an additional essay (1200–1500 words) as coursework.

• Exam timings and weighting differ between SL and HL, so make sure you know which level you're taking.

Overview of IB English Language and Literature Assessment

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of exam papers, let's look at the bigger picture.

Your IB English Language and Literature (opens in a new tab)  covers non-literary and literary texts. These include studied set texts (like novels, plays, and poems), as well as unseen extracts of all kinds. Your final grade is made up from two types of assessments. 

• External assessments: 

  • Two exam papers marked by IB examiners

• Internal assessments

  • Oral presentations graded by your teacher and IB moderated

  • HL only: an academic essay or coursework

How Many Exam Papers Are There in IB English Language & Literature?

You’ll write two exam papers.

• Paper 1: Guided Textual Analysis

  • One or two unseen non-literary or literary texts

  • It’s called “Guided” because each text is accompanied by a guiding question

• Paper 2: Comparative Essay

  • Comparison of two studied literary texts from a choice of four questions

This applies to both SL and HL students. The difference lies in the duration of each paper, the tasks involved, and their impact on your final grade.

Let’s look at what each paper involves, and what these differences are. 

Breakdown of Each Paper

Paper 1 – Guided Textual Analysis

This paper will ask for analysis of unseen extracts from a range of text types, such as magazine articles, blogs, speeches, interview scripts, radio transcripts, instruction manuals, comic strips, political cartoons, web pages. It could be any kind of writing!

The questions will ask you to analyse writers’ methods. 

Here’s what they may look like:

• How does the writer characterise the protagonist's state of mind?

• How is the relationship between the two characters established? 

• Discuss how different features are used in this webpage to inform and persuade the reader to learn more and get involved.

• How do text and image work together to shape meaning?

Standard Level:

Higher Level:

What matters most:

• Close analysis of language or structural features (like symbolism, tone, or layout).

• Understanding context, purpose, and audience.

• Clear structure with well-supported and specific points.

Paper 2 – Comparative Essay

In Paper 2, SL and HL students will write a comparative essay in response to one of four general questions, analysing two works studied in the course. Studied texts could be:

• Novels: classic or contemporary fiction

• Plays: tragedies, comedies, or modern drama

• Poetry Collections: works from a single poet or multiple poets

• Short Stories: thematic collections or works from a single author

The exam is closed book (you won’t be able to take any texts into the exam). Questions might look like this: 

• How do two of the works you have studied portray the struggle to be understood?

• Some literary texts convey ideas that are universal. In what ways is this true in two of the works you have studied?

• Discuss how two works you have studied present concepts of good and bad as a matter of individual perception.

• Referring to two works you have studied, discuss how the author has created a convincing “world”. 

What matters most:

• Strong comparative analysis (not just writing about each text separately).

• Use of specific examples and quotations from both works.

• Discussion of literary features, themes, and authorial choices.

• Clear essay structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Additional assessments

Don't forget, there’s an Individual Oral. This is done during your course (usually in your final year). Your prepared speech is on the way that one studied literary work and one non-literary body of work approach a common global issue (opens in a new tab).You (opens in a new tab)'ll choose your own question which gives you a chance to explore something you find interesting. For example, one of my students decided to write about identity and power using a graphic novel and Banksy’s graffiti! 

What it looks like for both SL and HL students:

• 10-minute spoken analysis and presentation, linking a studied text and non-literary work to a global issue. 

• Followed by a 5-minute discussion

Additional Assessments for HL Students

If you're taking HL, you've got one extra assignment to complete during your course: the HL Essay.

HL Essay basics:

• A formal academic essay of 1200–1500 words.

• You’ll analyse one non-literary text, a collection of non-literary texts by the same author, or a literary work studied in the course.

• You choose your own topic or research question, with guidance from your teacher.

• Completed during the course, not in exam conditions.

• Counts for 20% of your final HL grade.

Overall assessment weightings

Understanding how much each assessment type counts towards your final grade helps you prioritise your revision time. Here’s a quick breakdown. 

SL Weighting

HL Weighting

How to Prepare for Each Paper

Now you know what the papers involve, let's find out how to get ready.

For Paper 1:

Anything you analyse will make you more confident.

• Practice with past papers to get used to question styles:

  • Ask your teacher for some sample exam papers and mark schemes.

  • Time yourself: how quickly can you identify language and structural features?

  • Use the IB mark scheme so you know what examiners want.

• Get speedy with unseen texts 

  • While you wait for a bus, analyse an advert on a billboard.

  • Analyse a magazine article while you’re at the dentist.

  • Grab a book of the bookshelf and analyse a page from it.

For Paper 2:

• Read our specific and detailed guide on how to revise IB English Language and Literature written by our English expert.

• Get to know your texts thoroughly - the more times you read them, the more you’ll notice patterns and remember details.

• Practise planning introductions:

  • A strong and precise argument will up-level your answer.

General revision tips:

• Revise your English terms: here’s our top 127 literary devices ready to go.

• Review your teacher's feedback on practice essays or mocks for personal advice

• Form a study group and discuss texts together.

• Don't leave it to the last minute—steady, regular revision beats cramming every time.

Finally, stay calm and beat exam stress with our anxiety relief kit. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the papers the same for SL and HL students?

Paper 2 (the comparative essay) is the same, but in Paper 1, SL students analyse one text whilst HL students compare two.  

How many texts do I need to study for Paper 2?

HL students will study around 6 texts, while SL students will study about 4. This includes both literary and non-literary works. Don’t worry! For Paper 2 you only compare two works in your essay. 

Is the HL Essay done in exam conditions?

No. The HL Essay is coursework. You work on it during your course with your teacher’s help. You'll have time to research, draft, and refine your essay. It's still formal and academic, but you're not writing it under exam pressure.

Final Thoughts

So, now you know the answer to your question: how many IB English Language and Literature papers are there? There are two main exam papers for IB English Language and Literature, whether you're doing SL or HL. Paper 1 tests your ability to analyse unseen texts, and Paper 2 asks you to compare works you've studied. If you're doing HL, you've also got that coursework essay to complete.

Knowing exactly what each paper expects from you will really help!  Being familiar with how you’re graded and how you’re assessed will make your revision targeted, and you’ll be able to prepare for your exams effectively and with more confidence.

If you’d like to find out more, have a read of our guide: Is IB English Language and Literature hard? 

References: 

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Subject Brief (opens in a new tab)
Language and Literature Guide.pdf (opens in a new tab)