Introduction
If you’re starting the IB Diploma Programme, one of the biggest questions you’ll have about each subject is: How will I be assessed? For language courses, this is especially important because exams test a wide mix of skills.
In IB German Ab Initio, assessment isn’t about memorizing long word lists or knowing every grammar rule. Instead, it’s about showing that you can communicate in real-life situations. This means the assessments are designed to be fair for complete beginners, while still challenging you to use German in different ways.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how IB German Ab Initio is assessed, why the exams are structured the way they are, and how you can prepare with confidence.
The Philosophy Behind Assessment
It assessments that test reading, writing, listening, and speaking fairly for beginners.
The IB wants students to graduate with more than just grammar knowledge—they want real-world communication skills. That’s why the assessment structure tests all four skills:
- Reading
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Instead of focusing on one skill (like writing essays), IB German Ab Initio spreads the weight across different papers. This makes the course fair for beginners, since you don’t have to be perfect in one area to do well overall.
Paper 1: Writing (25%)
Paper 1 is all about producing written German.
- Length: 1 hour
- Weight: 25% of your grade
- Task: Write a text of about 200–250 words based on a prompt.
Possible text types include:
- A blog entry
- A diary entry
