Download and sit the paper
Start by downloading the question paper, mark scheme, and examiner report for the same subject and level. Set a timer for the exact duration of the paper and complete it in one sitting without notes.
The 2019 IB exam session provides a complete set of official assessment materials across all six subject groups. These papers reflect the syllabus and question styles that Diploma Programme students encounter in their final examinations. Practising with a full session helps you build familiarity with format, timing, and the way mark schemes reward specific responses.
The 2019 IB past papers are the official examination papers administered worldwide during the May and November 2019 sessions. They include every component that contributes to the final subject grade: written papers (Paper 1, Paper 2, and where applicable Paper 3), internal assessment tasks, and the associated mark schemes and examiner reports. Because they are authentic IB assessment materials, they show the exact phrasing, command terms, and mark allocation students will face.
These papers cover all six DP subject groups: Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts. Each subject follows its published syllabus guide, so the 2019 papers are aligned with the curriculum that was current for that examination session.
Practising with a complete, recent exam session lets you experience the full rhythm of an examination: reading time, question sequencing, and the stamina required across multiple papers in one subject.
You learn how command terms such as "analyse", "evaluate", and "compare" translate into specific marking points.
The 2019 session is recent enough to reflect current question styles but distant enough that many schools use it for mock examinations.
Working through it under timed conditions reveals gaps in knowledge and exam technique that topic-by-topic revision cannot.
Start by downloading the question paper, mark scheme, and examiner report for the same subject and level. Set a timer for the exact duration of the paper and complete it in one sitting without notes.
After finishing, mark your work using the official mark scheme, awarding marks only for responses that match the marking points.
Read the examiner report to see where candidates commonly lost marks and what distinguished high-scoring answers.
Note any syllabus areas where you consistently drop marks. Return to those topics in your notes or textbook, then re-attempt the specific questions a few days later.
Repeat the cycle with a different paper from the same session.
Award points only for required concepts or phrasing. No partial credit for "nearly there" responses.
Summarise cohort performance, highlighting questions with high omission rates, common misconceptions, and characteristics of top-band answers.
Use the examiner report to prioritise which questions to re-do and which topics to revisit with a teacher or tutor.
IB Tutoring Academy provides online tutoring from experienced subject tutors who can help you review 2019 papers, address knowledge gaps, and refine exam technique. A tutor can walk through mark schemes with you, explain why certain responses earn marks, and model how to structure answers for the highest bands.
Support is available through a consultation form to get started. Tutors work with you on the specific subjects and papers where you need the most improvement, whether that is Sciences, Mathematics, Languages, or Humanities.
The 2019 papers follow the syllabus guides current for that session. If your subject has had a syllabus update since 2019, some topics or question styles may differ. Always cross-reference with your current subject guide.
Official IB past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports are available through the IB's official channels and authorised distributors. Many schools also provide access to their students.
Aim to complete at least one full set of papers (all components) per subject under timed conditions, then use additional papers for targeted practice on weaker areas identified through marking and examiner reports.
Many schools use the 2019 session for mock examinations because it is recent and complete. Check with your school's examination officer or subject teachers for their mock schedule and paper selection.
Use the official mark scheme strictly: award marks only for the specific marking points listed. Then read the examiner report to understand common errors and what distinguished high-scoring responses.
Tutors can review your marked papers, explain mark scheme decisions, model high-band answer structures, and target the specific topics or question types where you lose the most marks.
Work with an experienced IB tutor to review past papers, master mark schemes, and build confidence for your final examinations. Start with a consultation to match with a subject specialist.