Swahili B Past Papers 2026
Browse all available Swahili B sessions from 2010-2022. This archive currently includes 93 official papers and 0 donated papers.
12
Sessions
93
Papers
93
Official
2010-2022
Years
May 2022
Latest Session
12
Sessions
2010–2022
13
Question Papers
15
Markschemes
100% coverage
Components: 2 papers.
May 2022
Latest Session
12
Sessions
2010–2022
13
Question Papers
15
Markschemes
100% coverage
Components: 2 papers.
Yearly Exam Sessions
About IB Swahili B
IB Swahili B is a Group 2 Language Acquisition subject for students learning Swahili (Kiswahili) as an additional language at the B (intermediate to advanced) level. Swahili (Kiswahili) is spoken by approximately 200 million in East Africa — Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. Swahili B is offered in IB schools across East Africa and internationally for students interested in African business, development, and regional affairs.
IB Swahili 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 Swahili B
- ✓Read authentic Swahili (Kiswahili) 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.