IB Diploma Programme: Paper 1 Format

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme assesses students through teacher-marked internal assessment and externally marked written papers. Paper 1 is the most objective — often multiple choice or source-based.

Format

Externally marked papers; Paper 1 is usually the multiple-choice or source-based paper.

Sections

Paper 1

Often multiple choice or short data/source response, depending on the subject.

Paper 3

Subject-specific, frequently Higher Level only.

Signature question types

Paper 1 (MCQ / source response)
Paper 3 (HL specialization)

New to these formats? See the question-type glossary for how each one works.

Is it adaptive?

IB exams are fixed and linear.

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Frequently asked questions

Which IB paper is multiple choice? ▼

Paper 1 is usually the most objective — often multiple choice or source-based — while Paper 2 and the internal assessment are essay/structured work you complete yourself.

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