Introduction
Paper 1 in IB German Ab Initio is the writing paper, and it makes up 25% of your final grade. For many students, it feels like the hardest part of the exam. Writing a 200–250 word response in German after just two years of study seems intimidating.
But here’s the good news: Paper 1 is highly predictable. You won’t be asked to write an academic essay—you’ll be asked to produce practical, real-world text types like emails, diary entries, blogs, and articles. With smart preparation, you can walk into Paper 1 with a bank of useful phrases, strategies, and confidence.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how to prepare for Paper 1 and maximize your marks.
Understanding the Paper 1 Format
Meta Title: IB German Ab Initio Paper 1 Exam Format
Meta Description: Learn the format of IB German Ab Initio Paper 1, including text types, word limits, and grading criteria.
- Duration: 1 hour.
- Task: Choose one of two prompts.
- Length: 200–250 words.
- Text types: Blog, diary, email, letter, article, or similar.
- Themes: Based on the five IB themes (Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organization, Sharing the Planet).
Assessment criteria:
- Language – Grammar and vocabulary accuracy.
- Message – Clarity, relevance, and content development.
- Conceptual understanding – Text type conventions and audience awareness.
Step 1: Master Text Types
Paper 1 expects you to follow the correct format. Here are the most common text types:
