With the pandemic disrupting learning for many of us around the globe, the IB has decided to extend many of the changes for the May 2021 examination to May 2022 as well. Don’t worry if you’re confused about the changes to the exams! Here is a complete breakdown of the M22 changes to each of the 6 IB subject groups and the IB core:
DP Core:
TOK
- The TOK exhibition and TOK essay, according to the new curriculum, will continue as usual
CAS
- CAS requirements still need to be met
Group 1:
Language & Literature A
- Paper 2 has been completely removed for both SL and HL
Literature A
- Paper 2 has been completely removed for both SL and HL
Group 2:
Language B HL
- Paper 2, the listening paper will be conducted
- In the IA students will be shown 2 extracts from the same texts
Language B SL
- Paper 2, the listening paper will be conducted
- In the IA, students will be shown pictures from each of the 5 themes
Language B ab initio
- Paper 2, the listening paper will be conducted
- In Paper 1, only 1 writing assignment needs to be answered either Task A or Task B
- In the IA, students will be shown pictures from each of the 5 themes
Classical Languages
- Paper 1 has been completely removed for both SL and HL
Group 3:
Economics- SL
- No change.
- Assessment will commence according to the new syllabus (first examination in May 2022)
Economics- HL
- There is a new syllabus for Economics, with first examination in May 2022
- Paper 3, students answer only 1 question out of the two provided
- There are no changes to Paper 1, Paper 2 or the IA
Business Management- SL
- Paper 1, students answer only one question in Section A
- Paper 2, section C has been removed
Business Management- HL
- Paper 1 section C has been removed
- Paper 2 section C has been removed
History- SL
- Paper 2, students answer only one question
History- HL
- Paper 2, students answer only one question
- Paper 3, students answer two essays, each from a different section
Geography- SL and HL
- Paper 1, students answer questions for only one question
- Paper 2, section C is removed
Global Politics- SL
- Paper 1 has been completely removed
Global Politics- HL
- Paper 1 has been completely removed
- Paper 2, students now have to answer two essays
- For the IA, HL students submit one video presentation instead of two
Information Technology in a Global Society
- Paper 2 is completely removed for SL and HL
Philosophy
- Paper 1, section B has been removed for SL and HL
Psychology- SL
- Paper 2 has been completely removed
Psychology- HL
- Paper 2, students only answer one question
- Paper 3 has been completely removed
Social & cultural anthropology- SL
- Paper 1, Question 5 has been removed
- Paper 2, section B has been removed
Social & cultural anthropology- HL
- Paper 2, section B has been removed
World religions
- Paper 1, students answer one question from each of the three sections
- Paper 2, students answer one question from section A or section B
Group 4:
*Group 4 project requirement has been removed for all Sciences
Physics
- Paper 3 is completely removed for SL and HL
Chemistry
- Paper 3 is completely removed for SL and HL
Biology
- Paper 3 is completely removed for SL and HL
Computer Science
- Paper 2 is completely removed for SL and HL
Sports, exercise and health science
- Paper 3 is completely removed for SL and HL
Design Technology
- Paper 1 is completely removed for both SL and HL
Group 5:
*No changes for assessment of Group 5 subjects
Group 6:
Visual Arts- SL
- In the process portfolio, art-making forms, table requirements and penalties have been removed
- For the exhibition, students complete 4-6 resolved works
Visual Arts- HL
- In the process portfolio, art-making forms, table requirements and penalties have been removed
- For the exhibition, students complete 7-10 resolved works
Dance
- Composition and analysis is removed for SL and HL
Film- SL
- In the film portfolio, students submit evidence for only one role
Film- HL
- The collaborative film project has been completely removed
Theatre
- The collaborative project has been completely removed for SL and HL
Music- SL
- There is a new syllabus for Music, with first examination in May 2022
- The component, presenting music has been completely removed
Music- HL
- There is a new syllabus for Economics, with first examination in May 2022
- The component, the contemporary music maker has been completely removed
To all my fellow peers taking the May 2022 examinations, You’ve got this! I know that this is a trying time for you, but you’re not alone! Good luck for the new school year!
Sources:
You may also like…
- Monica’s advice on choosing between HL and SL
- Maanyav’s overview of the M22+ TOK curriculum
Will the time duration for any of the exams change because of excluded sections?
Hi Marwa!
Yes, some timings have changed. According to the sources I have attached below the article, for subjects like Economics HL Paper 3 where some components of the paper have been removed, there has been a change in the timing. For this particular paper, it has been changed from 1 hour 45 minutes, to 1 hour.
For more updates on the same, and timing changes in other subjects, I recommend speaking to your IB coordinator or subject teacher. All the best:)
Oh okay. Thanks alot!
Do we know if IAs will be internally as usual, or externally marked like M21?
Hi Mau!
To my knowledge IAs will be externally marked like M21; since IB has decided to carry forward the same measures put in place for 2021, to 2022. However, I would recommend that you confirm with your school’s IB coordinator and respective subject teachers. Good luck:)