IB Philosophy SL · 2025
Unit 7: Political philosophy
8 past paper questions from 4 papers across 3 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
Original Exam Vault questions with AI markscheme feedback for this topic.
SL archive · from 2025
Unit 7: Political philosophy
Latest exam session: November 2025
- questions
- 8
- questions
- papers
- 4
- papers
- exam sessions
- 3
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 6
Topics in Unit 7: Political philosophy
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
7.1
The state
38% of marks75 of the 200 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (38%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 3 questions
7.2
Justice
13% of marks25 of the 200 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (13%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 1 question
- DueRetributive justice and punishment
7.3
Liberty and rights
50% of marks100 of the 200 marks across the 8 Philosophy SL papers analysed (50%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 4 questions
- DuePositive vs negative liberty
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 6 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2025 |
|---|---|
| 2Where does the state's authority come from?, 2025: 2 questions | |
| 2What are rights?, 2025: 2 questions | |
| 1Retributive justice and punishment, 2025: 1 question | |
| 1Positive vs negative liberty, 2025: 1 question |
2 more micro-topics with a free account
- Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Questions on Unit 7: Political philosophy, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 7: Political philosophy, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
November 2025
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2025
4 questions across 2 papers
Specimen 2025
2 questions across 1 paper
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Philosophy SL exam sessions are covered for Unit 7: Political philosophy?
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 Unit 7: Political philosophy topic comes up most?
Where does the state's authority come from? (7.1.2): in 25% of papers, last seen May 25 P1 TZ3. Usually "evaluate", 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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