IB DP · Analysis & Prediction

2024 IB DP World religions - SL Past Paper Analysis

This structured analysis covers the May 2024 IB World Religions Standard Level (SL) Paper 1 and Paper 2 examinations, detailing candidate assessment structures, grade-defining criteria, and core conceptual content across introductory and in-depth syllabus options.

Updated: 14 Jun 2026

Analysis Sample paper

Difficulty 3.4/5

Total marks

Duration

165 mins

Most tested

Core Doctrinal Beliefs and Systems of Liberation

Paper breakdown

Paper 1 (Standard Level): 45 marks · 75 minsPaper 2 (Standard Level): 30 marks · 90 mins

Top chapters

Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism (Introduction to world religions) · 18 marksJudaism, Christianity, Islam (Introduction to world religions) · 18 marksEthics and moral conduct (In-depth studies) · 15 marks

Exam Difficulty & Structure

The May 2024 IB Diploma Programme World Religions Standard Level examination presents a balanced and comprehensive assessment of candidate knowledge across the syllabus. Paper 1 focuses on fundamental core beliefs through a highly accessible stimulus-based design, while Paper 2 demands deeper argumentative rigor and evaluative skills in comparative and topic-specific essays. Candidates must demonstrate both horizontal breadth (across multiple world religions) and vertical depth (delving into rituals, doctrines, and ethical issues).

Where the Marks are Won or Lost

In Paper 1, candidates can confidently secure marks in part (a) by carefully identifying direct teachings from the provided textual extracts. However, high-tier performance depends on part (b), which requires students to go beyond description and analyze the underlying theological rationale. For example, when discussing why Hindus seek to transcend the cycle of rebirth, candidates must employ technical terms such as samsara, moksha, and karma correctly. In Paper 2, the difference between a high-scoring essay (Marks 13-15) and a mediocre one (Marks 4-6) lies in the presence of a structured, balanced evaluation that answers the specific prompt (e.g., assessing 'to what extent' a statement holds true) rather than delivering a generic informational dump.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Textual Dependency in Paper 1: Relying exclusively on the given stimulus passage for part (b) explanations instead of drawing from independent, comprehensive religious knowledge.
Lack of Denominational Awareness: Treating religions as monolithic entities. Stronger candidate essays explicitly distinguish between differing traditions, such as Orthodox vs. Progressive Jewish observations, or Theravada vs. Mahayana Buddhist interpretations of key practices.
Weak Structure in Comparative Essays: Writing purely descriptive accounts of two elements without providing an integrated, comparative framework or robust evaluation.

Preparation Strategy and Syllabus Trends

Syllabus trends show that ethical dilemmas (such as attitudes toward medical ethics, or church-state separation) and sacred scriptural interpretation remain highly reliable areas of study. Candidates should focus on mastering at least two in-depth study areas (such as Ethics and Sacred Texts) to guarantee strong options in Paper 2. Practicing quick 3-point extractions for Paper 1 part (a) can save critical minutes, leaving more time to refine and structure the multi-paragraph explanations required in part (b).

Charts

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

Paper 1 Short Answers (Part A)15 marks · 5 questions
Paper 1 Explanatory Questions (Part B)30 marks · 5 questions
Paper 2 In-depth Essays30 marks · 2 questions

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

60%within easy or medium reach

easy: 15 marksmedium: 30 markshard: 30 marks

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism (Introduction to world religions)

18 marks · Difficulty 2.2 · recurrence 95%

Judaism, Christianity, Islam (Introduction to world religions)

18 marks · Difficulty 2.2 · recurrence 95%

Sacred texts (In-depth studies)

15 marks · Difficulty 3.1 · recurrence 80%

Ethics and moral conduct (In-depth studies)

15 marks · Difficulty 3.4 · recurrence 80%

Taoism, Jainism, Baha’i Faith (Introduction to world religions)

9 marks · Difficulty 2.5 · recurrence 50%

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

marksmins

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

What is the human condition? (Introduction to world religions)90%

A central core element of the Paper 1 syllabus that has potential to reappear as a dominant theme across major monotheistic extracts.

Doctrines/beliefs (In-depth studies)85%

Last featured prominently in early 2023, the doctrinal and belief structures of dharmic and monotheistic religions are highly overdue for comprehensive essay questions.

Rituals (In-depth studies)75%

Rituals frequently cycle alongside ethical choices. Expect questions examining the transition between sacred actions and community identification.

Topic-year heatmap

Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

May 2023 SL

May 2024 SL

Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism (Introduction to world religions)

Judaism, Christianity, Islam (Introduction to world religions)

Taoism, Jainism, Baha’i Faith (Introduction to world religions)

Rituals (In-depth studies)

Doctrines/beliefs (In-depth studies)

Ethics and moral conduct (In-depth studies)

Sacred texts (In-depth studies)

Examiner insights

Official report

Common pitfalls

Confusing unique theological criteria across similar systems, such as applying Hindu-specific exit criteria of the rebirth cycle directly to the Sikh concept of reincarnation.
Over-focusing on describing the literal scenario of a passage in Paper 1 Part (b) rather than extending the analysis to external concepts and societal practices of the religion.
Writing purely descriptive essays for Paper 2 'To what extent' questions without presenting counter-arguments or comparing different denominational approaches.

Misconceptions

Misunderstanding the core Buddhist concept of Dukkha as fatalistic or pessimistic, ignoring the calming and joyful state associated with enlightenment and clarity.
Believing that the five precepts in Buddhism operate as a strict hierarchy, rather than as an interconnected, non-linear wheel of practice.
Viewing the collection of wealth (Artha) in Hinduism as an end in itself (materialism) rather than a righteous means to sustain life and ultimately achieve moksha.

Where marks are lost

Failing to define or explain technical terms (e.g., mitzvoth, gurmukh, manmukh, anatta, or shema) when introducing them into Paper 1 part (b) answers.
Poor time management in Paper 2, resulting in unbalanced essays where the second half is rushed and lacks a cohesive, evaluative conclusion.
Incomplete comparative arguments in open-ended questions, where candidates list individual traits of two festivals instead of directly evaluating their comparative significance.

Estimated grade cut-off

Updated: 14 Jun 2026

Source: the IB (International Baccalaureate)

Level	Mark	Percentage
7	61/75	81%
6	51/75	68%
5	40/75	53%
4	30/75	40%
3	19/75	25%
2	10/75	13%
1	0/75	0%

Official grade boundaries published by the IB (International Baccalaureate).

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