IB Philosophy HL · 2025
Unit 9: HL extension: Philosophy and contemporary issues
6 past paper questions from 3 papers across 3 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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HL archive · from 2025
Unit 9: HL extension: Philosophy and contemporary issues
Latest exam session: November 2025
- questions
- 6
- questions
- papers
- 3
- papers
- exam sessions
- 3
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 5
Topics in Unit 9: HL extension: Philosophy and contemporary issues
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
9.1
Philosophy and technology
13% of marks10 of the 75 marks across the 11 Philosophy HL papers analysed (13%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 1 question
9.2
Philosophy and the environment
47% of marks35 of the 75 marks across the 11 Philosophy HL papers analysed (47%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 3 questions
9.3
The nature, function and methodology of philosophy
40% of marks30 of the 75 marks across the 11 Philosophy HL papers analysed (40%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 2 questions
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 5 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2025 |
|---|---|
| 2What is philosophy for?, 2025: 2 questions | |
| 1The digital age, 2025: 1 question | |
| 1Do we owe nature anything?, 2025: 1 question | |
| 1Can philosophy help the planet?, 2025: 1 question |
1 more micro-topics with a free account
- Regularin roughly one paper in six or more
- Occasionalin about one paper in ten
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Questions on Unit 9: HL extension: Philosophy and contemporary issues, by exam session
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Philosophy HL exam sessions are covered for Unit 9: HL extension: Philosophy and contemporary issues?
3 exam sessions from 2025, the latest November 2025. Every Paper 3 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 3 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 9: HL extension: Philosophy and contemporary issues topic comes up most?
What is philosophy for? (9.3.1): in 18% of papers, last seen May 25 P3 TZ3. Usually "evaluate", worth about 15 marks in a paper that includes it.
Can I see the original question and mark scheme?
No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.
What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?
Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.
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