WORLD-RELIGIONS-SL · IB Diploma Programme
WORLD-RELIGIONS-SL/11
Introduction to World Religions
World religions – SL · June 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: International Baccalaureate Organization
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.0 / 5
75
165 min
Core Beliefs and Sacred Texts
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
75
Duration
165 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May 2025 World Religions Standard Level (SL) examination offered a balanced and structured assessment that tested both precise textual analysis and deep theological synthesis.
Overall, the papers rate as a 3 out of 5 (Medium) on the difficulty scale.
While Paper 1 featured highly accessible passages with straightforward 'Identify' questions, Paper 2 demanded rigorous evaluative skills and sophisticated comparative thinking, particularly in the multi-perspective essays on ethics, gender, and doctrine.
Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Textual Interpretation
Weight: 7100%Theological Knowledge
Weight: 571%Critical Evaluation
Weight: 343%Comparative and M
Weight: 114%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
IB subject report — grade distributions, IA weighting, and HL/SL distinctions
Level 7
Excellent — top band for competitive university offers
Level 6
Very good — strong HL performance
Level 5
Good — solid pass at higher level
Level 4
Satisfactory — minimum for many university credits
Level 3
Mediocre
Level 2
Poor
Level 1
Very poor
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Match the expected response style for “Examine” questions.
Identify similarities and differences explicitly — paired sentences or a table helps.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.7
Min per mark: 1.7
Min per mark: 1.7
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism (Introduction to world religions)
18 marks this session
Judaism, Christianity, Islam (Introduction to world religions)
18 marks this session
Doctrines/beliefs (In-depth studies)
15 marks this session
Sacred texts (In-depth studies)
15 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism (Introduction to world religions)
Judaism, Christianity, Islam (Introduction to world religions)
Doctrines/beliefs (In-depth studies)
Sacred texts (In-depth studies)
Ethics and moral conduct (In-depth studies)
Rituals (In-depth studies)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism (Introduction to world religions)
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiJudaism, Christianity, Islam (Introduction to world religions)
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiDoctrines/beliefs (In-depth studies)
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSacred texts (In-depth studies)
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May 2025 World Religions Standard Level (SL) examination offered a balanced and structured assessment that tested both precise textual analysis and deep theological synthesis.
- 2Message
Overall, the papers rate as a 3 out of 5 (Medium) on the difficulty scale.
- 3Message
While Paper 1 featured highly accessible passages with straightforward 'Identify' questions, Paper 2 demanded rigorous evaluative skills and sophisticated comparative thinking, particularly in the multi-perspective essays on ethics, gender, and doctrine.
- 4Message
Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2025 2025
World religions – SL
The May 2025 World Religions Standard Level (SL) examination offered a balanced and structured assessment that tested both precise textual analysis and deep theological synthesis. Overall, the papers rate as a 3 out of 5 (Medium) on the difficulty scale. While Paper 1 featured hi
The May 2025 World Religions Standard Level (SL) examination offered a balanced and structured assessment that tested both precise textual analysis and deep theological synthesis.
Overall, the papers rate as a 3 out of 5 (Medium) on the difficulty scale.
While Paper 1 featured highly accessible passages with straightforward 'Identify' questions, Paper 2 demanded rigorous evaluative skills and sophisticated comparative thinking, particularly in the multi-perspective essays on ethics, gender, and doctrine.
- Total marks
- 75
- Duration
- 165 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.0 / 5
Session analysis
The May 2025 World Religions Standard Level (SL) examination offered a balanced and structured assessment that tested both precise textual analysis and deep theological synthesis. Overall, the papers rate as a 3 out of 5 (Medium) on the difficulty scale. While Paper 1 featured highly accessible passages with straightforward 'Identify' questions, Paper 2 demanded rigorous evaluative skills and sophisticated comparative thinking, particularly in the multi-perspective essays on ethics, gender, and doctrine.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
73% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Structured Explanation
(Explain)
30·5·40%
Extended Response Essay
(Discuss/Examine)
30·2·40%
Short Answer
(Identify)
15·5·20%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A
0.60 m/minPaper 1 Section B
0.60 m/minPaper 1 Section C
0.60 m/minTotal marks
45
Total time
75 min
Avg pace
0.60
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Rituals (In-depth studies) - Pilgrimage and Festivals
85%85%
Ethics and Moral Conduct (In-depth studies) - Medical and Environmental Ethics
80%80%
May 2025 World Religions SL Exam Analysis
The May 2025 World Religions Standard Level (SL) examination offered a balanced and structured assessment that tested both precise textual analysis and deep theological synthesis. Overall, the papers rate as a 3 out of 5 (Medium) on the difficulty scale. While Paper 1 featured highly accessible passages with straightforward 'Identify' questions, Paper 2 demanded rigorous evaluative skills and sophisticated comparative thinking, particularly in the multi-perspective essays on ethics, gender, and doctrine.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 15min
- Total marks
- 45
- Weighting
- 60%
- Question types
- Identification, Explanation
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.