The confetti has settled, the pens are down, and the collective sigh of IB English A Language & Literature HL students from the May 2025 cohort echoes across Hong Kong. The infamous exam period is over, leaving behind a whirlwind of emotions, frantic discussions on subreddits like “IBO,” and a burning question:Â how did it really go?
If you’re an M25 student fresh from the exam hall, or an MYP/future DP student in Hong Kong peering into the crystal ball of your IB future, you’re in the right place. This isn’t just a recap; it’s a deep dive into the May 2025 English HL exam experience, drawing from real student reactions. Our IB English tutor will unpack the triumphs, the tribulations, and most importantly, offer strategic insights to help you navigate your own IB English journey. So, grab a cup of bubble tea, and let’s get started.
IB English HL May 2025 Exam Overall Vibe: A Rollercoaster of Reactions
The May 2025 IB English HL exam seems to have been a classic IB rollercoaster – a mix of pleasant surprises and hair-raising drops. Many students expressed immense relief, particularly with Paper 2, while Paper 1 presented a more varied, and sometimes daunting, landscape. Comments ranged from “Paper 2 Questions were gifts sent from God” to “The Paper 1 digital engagement infographic almost gave me epilepsy.” This spectrum of experiences highlights a crucial truth about the IB: preparation is key, but so is adaptability.
Dissecting Paper 1: The Textual Analysis Tightrope
Paper 1, the unseen textual analysis, consistently proves to be a formidable challenge. This year was no exception, with a diverse array of text types that elicited strong opinions.
The Infographic Invasion: Overwhelm or Opportunity?
A significant talking point was the “digital engagement infographic.” Students described it as “scary to even look at,” “an overload of stuff,” and “cramped with random people and information.” It’s true; modern infographics can be visually dense.
Student Sentiment:Â “The infographic made me wanna cry.” “My brain couldn’t handle all that colour.”
The Challenge:Â Infographics often bombard you with data, icons, varied fonts, and color schemes, all competing for attention. The key is to avoid an analytical meltdown.
Strategic Approach:
Initial Scan & Purpose:Â Quickly determine the infographic’s overall topic and intended message. Is it trying to inform, persuade, or warn? For instance, an infographic on “Sustainable Eating Habits in Urban Asia” might aim to persuade city dwellers to adopt greener diets.
Deconstruct the Visuals: Don’t just list what you see. Analyze how visual elements (color, layout, typography, imagery) contribute to the message. Does a stark red color highlight alarming statistics? Does a circular flow chart suggest an ongoing process?
Data & Text Integration:Â How does the text (headings, captions, statistics) work with the visuals? Is the language formal or informal? Are statistics presented to shock or to reassure?
Target Audience & Effectiveness:Â Who is this infographic for? How effectively does it reach them? An infographic for teenagers about online safety would use different visual language than one for medical professionals about a new drug.
Example:Â Imagine an infographic titled “The Future of AI in Hong Kong’s Workforce.” It’s filled with charts showing job displacement in some sectors, alongside icons of futuristic robots and smiling professionals using AI tools. Instead of being overwhelmed, you could focus on:
The juxtaposition of negative (job loss charts) and positive imagery (smiling professionals).
The use of a cool, metallic color palette to evoke technology.
The target audience (likely students and young professionals in Hong Kong).
The guiding question could then be explored through how these elements create a nuanced, perhaps slightly anxious, message about technological advancement.
IB English Lang Lit May 25 Paper 1 Advertorials & Websites: Persuasion Under the Microscope
Other Paper 1 texts included advertorials, such as one for Australian apartment living or luxury real estate, and websites, like one for a New Zealand tree walk or a kids’ product review for Stapelstein. These texts test your ability to dissect persuasive techniques.
Student Sentiment:Â Some found these easier (“the australia rent one was GREATT”), while others found them lengthy or transparently manipulative (“13 paragraphs to say ‘buy this overpriced thing'”).
The Challenge: Identifying not just what is being sold, but how the persuasive architecture is constructed.
Strategic Approach:
Advertorials:Â Look for the blend of advertising and editorial content. How does it try to appear objective while subtly promoting a product or service? Consider the narrative voice, appeals to emotion (pathos), logic (logos), and authority (ethos). For example, an advertorial for a new fitness app might use a relatable personal story alongside “expert” testimonials.
Websites:Â Analyze the user experience. How do layout, navigation, multimedia elements, and calls to action guide the user? A website for an eco-tourism resort might use stunning natural imagery, testimonials from happy visitors, and easy booking buttons to convert interest into action.
The Manifesto Moment: Divisive and Demanding
The appearance of a “manifesto” text, notably from the Gate Theatre, stirred the pot. Some found it “horrible” or “TOKish,” while others dived into its rhetorical structure.
Student Sentiment:Â “bruh that one was so hard.” “I talked about punctuation, diction and other stuff.”
The Challenge:Â Manifestos are often passionate, declarative, and aim to provoke or inspire. Analyzing them requires understanding their ideological underpinnings and persuasive force.
Strategic Approach:
Identify Core Tenets:Â What are the central beliefs or calls to action?
Rhetorical Devices:Â Look for anaphora, repetition, powerful verbs, inclusive/exclusive language (“we,” “they”), and direct address.
Structure & Tone:Â Is it structured as a list of demands, a poetic declaration, or a reasoned argument? Is the tone angry, hopeful, urgent, or rebellious?
Context:Â Understanding the (stated or implied) context of a manifesto is crucial. For example, a student-written manifesto demanding “Climate Action Now!” on a university campus would use language and appeals specific to that environment and audience.
Navigating Unfamiliar Text Types in Paper 1
The IB can, and often does, throw curveballs with text types. The key is not to panic but to apply fundamental analytical skills.
Focus on the Core:Â Regardless of the text type, always ask: What is its purpose? Who is the target audience? What techniques are used to achieve this purpose for this audience?
Transferable Skills:Â The skills you use to analyze a poem (diction, imagery, tone) can be adapted for an advertisement (brand voice, visual appeal, emotional connection).
IB English HL May 2025 Exam Paper 2: A Sigh of Relief and Strategic Choices
In stark contrast to Paper 1’s mixed reception, Paper 2 was widely hailed as a success by students. Many found the questions to be clear, broad, and adaptable to their chosen literary works.
“Gifts from God”? Why Students Loved the P2 Questions
Words like “blessing,” “so easy,” and “fire” peppered student feedback on Paper 2. This positive sentiment often stemmed from the perceived generality and fairness of the questions.
Student Sentiment:Â “I could literally use the same essay plan to write all 4 questions.” “Thank you ib for ‘to what effect do authors use language’.”
Popular Themes:
Authorial use of language/style:Â A perennial favorite, allowing broad application.
Gender portrayal:Â Many students found this accessible and had prepared for it.
Challenging cultural values:Â Resonated with texts exploring societal norms.
Setting and atmosphere:Â Allowed for focused analysis of literary environments.
Good and evil:Â While some found it too character-specific, others appreciated its thematic depth.
Tackling Broad vs. Specific P2 Questions
Even with generally well-received questions, choices had to be made.
Broad Questions (e.g., “To what effect do authors use language…”):
Benefit:Â Offer flexibility to tailor the question to your texts.
Challenge:Â Require a sharp focus to avoid vague, sprawling essays.
Strategy: Create a specific, arguable thesis that narrows down the broad theme in relation to your chosen texts. For instance, instead of just “authors use language for effect,” argue: “In Novel X and Play Y, authors employ visceral imagery and fragmented syntax to convey the psychological trauma of conflict, ultimately questioning the glorification of war.”
More Specific Questions (e.g., focusing on “good and evil characters”):
Benefit:Â Provide a clear direction.
Challenge:Â Might not perfectly fit all aspects of your texts if interpreted too rigidly.
Strategy: Explore the nuances. Are characters purely good or evil? How do authors use ambiguity or character development to explore these concepts?
Matching Texts to Questions: The Perennial P2 Challenge
A common IB hurdle is selecting the best question for your prepared texts. Some students felt they had “good questions but the texts our english teachers told us to use were so bad.”
Strategic Text Selection (Pre-Exam):Â Throughout your DP course, aim for a diverse range of texts that allow you to explore multiple common IB themes (identity, culture, conflict, power, etc.).
Exam-Day Flexibility:Â While pre-planning is good, be prepared to adapt. Sometimes a question you hadn’t prioritized might be a surprisingly good fit for one or two of your texts.
Key Themes & Concerns from the Trenches
Beyond specific papers, certain anxieties and observations consistently surfaced among students.
Time Management: The Unseen Examiner
“I feel like there wasnt enough time at all for p2.” This is a familiar cry. Effective time management is non-negotiable.
Practice under timed conditions:Â This is the single most effective way to improve.
Allocate time per section/essay:Â Stick to your plan as much as possible.
HL Paper 1:Â Remember you’re analyzing two texts. Balance your time accordingly.
Grade Boundary Speculation: Managing Expectations
The perceived ease of Paper 2 led some to worry: “I’m worried that the grade boundaries are going to be extremely high.”
Focus on Your Performance:Â While it’s natural to wonder, obsessing over grade boundaries is counterproductive. Your primary goal is to produce the best work you can.
Holistic Assessment:Â Examiners assess a range of skills. “Easy” questions don’t automatically mean everyone gets top marks; execution still matters immensely.
The Power of Preparation (and a Little Bit of “BS”?)
Comments like “with the powers of bs 🙏” and mentions of pre-written essay plans highlight the student experience.
Genuine Skill vs. Rote Learning:Â While “bs” might get you through a tricky spot, deep understanding and genuine analytical skills are what examiners reward. Flexible essay plans are useful; regurgitating pre-learned essays rarely works for unseen questions or texts.
Adaptability is King:Â Even the best-laid plans need to be adapted to the specific question asked on the day.
Handwriting: Don’t Let It Be Your Downfall!
“I hope examiner can read my handwriting 🙏🙏🥀🥀” A light-hearted but real concern! Legible handwriting ensures your brilliant ideas get the attention they deserve.
Tips for Future IB English HL Warriors (Hong Kong Focus)
For those in Hong Kong gearing up for the IB English HL exam, here’s some distilled advice:
Master Diverse Text Types for P1:Â Don’t just focus on poems and prose. Actively seek out and practice analyzing advertisements, websites, infographics, articles, manifestos, and more. Hong Kong’s media-rich environment provides plenty of real-world examples.
Develop Flexible P2 Frameworks: Instead of rigid essay plans, create flexible frameworks based on common literary themes and techniques. Understand how to adapt these to various question types.
Build Your Analytical Toolkit: Go beyond feature-spotting. Understand the effect of literary and rhetorical devices. How do they shape meaning and influence the reader?
Time Management Drills are Crucial:Â Simulate exam conditions regularly. This is especially vital for HL students tackling two P1 texts.
Clarity and Conciseness Win:Â Examiners appreciate clear, well-structured arguments. Avoid jargon for jargon’s sake. Get straight to the point.
Engage with Hong Kong’s Literary Scene:Â While your prescribed texts are central, engaging with local literature, English-language media, and cultural discussions in Hong Kong can broaden your understanding of context and perspective.
Peer Learning and Discussion:Â Like the students on the “IBO” subreddit, discuss texts, share analytical approaches, and practice with your Hong Kong classmates.
Conclusion: Beyond the Exam Room
The May 2025 IB English HL exam, like all IB exams, was a significant milestone. For those who just completed it, take a breath – you’ve navigated a challenging academic endeavor. Your reactions, whether elation or frustration, are valid.
For future cohorts in Hong Kong and beyond, let these experiences serve as valuable intelligence. The IB English HL exam demands rigorous preparation, critical thinking, and the ability to perform under pressure. By understanding the potential challenges and embracing strategic preparation, you too can emerge from the exam hall with a sense of accomplishment. Remember, it’s not just about the grade; it’s about the critical skills and literary appreciation you cultivate along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Based on student feedback, visually complex infographics and unexpected text types like manifestos proved challenging for some. Time management for analyzing two texts (for HL students) was also a common concern.
Overwhelmingly positive. Students found the Paper 2 questions to be broad, fair, and adaptable to their chosen literary works, with themes like gender, use of language, and cultural values being well-received.
Start by identifying its overall purpose and target audience. Then, deconstruct how visual elements (color, layout, images, typography) and textual information (data, captions) work together to convey the message. Don’t just list features; analyze their effect.
Ensure your chosen literary texts allow for exploration of diverse themes. For “good and evil,” consider how characters embody these concepts, if they are ambiguous, and how the author uses them to explore morality. For “gender,” analyze how gender roles, identities, and power dynamics are portrayed and critiqued.
Practice, practice, practice under timed conditions. Create a realistic time allocation plan for each part of the exam and stick to it as closely as possible during your mocks and practice sessions.
While perceived ease can sometimes influence boundaries, they are set after marking, considering overall global performance. Focus on delivering your best possible analysis and writing, as execution and depth of understanding are key differentiators.
Many students share notes through school-based platforms, dedicated IB resource websites (some free, some paid), or even student-run forums. Always critically evaluate the quality of unofficial resources. Your teachers are your primary source for guidance.
Broaden your reading and analytical practice. Engage with a wide variety of non-literary texts from newspapers, magazines, reputable websites, and advertising. Focus on understanding the purpose, audience, context, and persuasive techniques of any text you encounter.
