IB Philosophy SL · 2025
Philosophy SL Paper 1
64 past paper questions from 4 papers across 3 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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SL archive · from 2025
Paper 1
Latest exam session: November 2025
- questions
- 64
- questions
- papers
- 4
- papers
- exam sessions
- 3
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 51
Where Paper 1 marks go, by unit
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
Unit 1
Being human
13% of marks200 of the 1600 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (13%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 questions
- DueCultural identity
Unit 2
Aesthetics
13% of marks200 of the 1600 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (13%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 questions
- DueWhat is art?
- DueArt and its message
Unit 3
Epistemology
13% of marks200 of the 1600 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (13%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 questions
- DueReasoning and self-knowledge
Unit 4
Ethics
13% of marks200 of the 1600 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (13%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 questions
- DueWhat does “good” mean?
Unit 5
Philosophy of religion
13% of marks200 of the 1600 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (13%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 questions
- DueAnswers to the problem
Unit 6
Philosophy of science
13% of marks200 of the 1600 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (13%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 questions
- DueFalsification
- DueSociety shapes science
Unit 7
Political philosophy
13% of marks200 of the 1600 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (13%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 questions
- DueRetributive justice and punishment
- DuePositive vs negative liberty
Unit 8
Social philosophy
13% of marks200 of the 1600 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (13%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 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 51 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2025 |
|---|---|
| 2Animals and AI as persons, 2025: 2 questions | |
1.1.1What is identity? | 2What is identity?, 2025: 2 questions |
3.2.1Scepticism | 2Scepticism, 2025: 2 questions |
4.1.2Virtue ethics | 2Virtue ethics, 2025: 2 questions |
11 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueCultural identity· last Spec 25 P1
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Questions on Paper 1, by exam session
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Philosophy SL exam sessions are covered for Paper 1?
3 exam sessions from 2025, the latest November 2025. Every Paper 1 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 4 papers in this archive.
Which Paper 1 topic comes up most?
Animals and AI as persons (1.4.5): in 25% of papers, last seen May 25 P1 TZ3. Usually "explore", worth about 25 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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Every question, by paper
What each Philosophy SL paper tests across all its sittings: the marks by unit and the micro-topics it keeps coming back to.
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The question types most likely in the next Philosophy SL sitting, built from this same archive.
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Every formula you are given in the exam, with when to use it and the traps around it.
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