Japanese B Past Papers 2026
Browse all available Japanese B sessions from 2010-2025. This archive currently includes 297 official papers and 0 donated papers.
31
Sessions
297
Papers
297
Official
2010-2025
Years
November 2025
Latest Session
31
Sessions
2010–2025
28
Question Papers
50
Markschemes
100% coverage
Components: 2 papers.
November 2025
Latest Session
31
Sessions
2010–2025
34
Question Papers
60
Markschemes
100% coverage
Components: 2 papers, up to 2 variants each.
Yearly Exam Sessions
About IB Japanese B
IB Japanese B is a Group 2 Language Acquisition subject for students learning Japanese as an additional language at the B (intermediate to advanced) level. Japanese is spoken by approximately 125 million in Japan and Japanese diaspora communities. Japanese B is studied by students learning Japanese as an additional language, typically in schools with Japan-based families or students planning careers with Japanese firms or in East Asian business and culture.
IB Japanese B is for students with prior experience in the language. The course develops proficiency across all four skills — reading, writing, listening, and speaking — using authentic contemporary texts. Past papers include reading comprehension (Paper 1) and written production (Paper 2).
Exam Format
Paper 1 (SL: 1 hr 30 min / HL: 2 hr)
Reading comprehension on authentic texts. Multiple-choice, gap-fill, and short-answer questions.
Paper 2 (SL: 45 min / HL: 1 hr)
Written production: write one text in an appropriate format (letter, article, blog, speech) on a given topic.
SL vs HL
SL uses shorter texts in Paper 1 and requires a lower word count in Paper 2. HL uses more complex, longer texts and expects more idiomatic, nuanced written production. HL students must demonstrate a wider active vocabulary and command of complex grammatical structures.
Study Tips for IB Japanese B
- ✓Read authentic Japanese content — news, blogs, social media — to build vocabulary in the five IB themes.
- ✓Learn the conventions for each text type in Paper 2: letters, emails, articles, speeches, and blog posts all have different formats.
- ✓For Paper 1, read all questions before reading the text so you know what information to focus on.
- ✓Revise verb tenses thoroughly — tense accuracy distinguishes SL from HL performance.
- ✓Build a vocabulary bank organised by the five IB themes rather than alphabetically.
- ✓Practise the Individual Oral — it counts for 25% (SL) or 20% (HL) of the final grade.
Questions, answered.
Language B is for students with prior learning of the language — typically 3–5 years of study. Students should be able to handle authentic texts on the five IB themes.
All IB Language B and ab initio subjects cover the same five prescribed themes: Identities (personal and cultural identity), Experiences (leisure, travel, customs), Human Ingenuity (entertainment, technology, science), Social Organisation (community, education, work), and Sharing the Planet (environment, global issues).
Yes. Our archive includes question papers and mark schemes (including written production marking criteria) for available sessions.
The Individual Oral is an internally assessed speaking component (15 minutes) in which the student discusses a visual stimulus and a literary extract with their teacher. It tests spoken communication, range of vocabulary, and ability to engage with the IB themes.