Theatre · IB SL
IB Theatre SL — papers & markbands
Performance, directing, and research — assessed through solo work, notebooks, and collaborative production. Below are the papers you'll sit and how examiners award marks. Practise past papers, learn the markbands, then check your own answers for feedback.
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Theatre SL chapters
11 topics · free- 1.1Theatre in context
- 1.2World theatre traditions and research skills
- 1.3Theatre conventions across world traditions
- 2.1Solo theatre piece
- 2.2Director's notebook
- 2.3Devising and staging for solo performance
- 2.4Applying a theatre theorist to performance
- 3.1Collaborative project — devising
- 3.2Performance skills and reflection
- 3.3Ensemble devising and staging
- 4.1Theatre practitioners and assessment criteria
Papers in Theatre SL
- Solo pieceSL
Practise this paper under timed conditions, then mark against the band descriptors.
- Director's notebookSL
Drill the question style, then review the markbands to push into the top band.
- Research presentationSL
Drill the question style, then review the markbands to push into the top band.
How IB marking differs
Unlike point-based A-Level mark schemes, IB uses markbands — examiners place your answer in a level band against descriptors. Knowing the band wording is how you turn a 5 into a 7.
Check your work
Upload a photo of your answer and get structured, criteria-based feedback on where the marks are.
Get feedback →Frequently asked questions
- What papers are in IB Theatre SL?
- IB Theatre at SL is assessed by Solo piece, Director's notebook, Research presentation, plus internal assessment. Performance, directing, and research — assessed through solo work, notebooks, and collaborative production.
- How is IB Theatre marked?
- IB uses markbands and assessment criteria rather than point-based A-Level marking codes — examiners place your response in a level band against descriptors. Our guides show what separates the top band from the middle on each paper.
- Where can I find IB Theatre SL past papers?
- Browse every recent Theatre SL exam series on our IB Theatre past-papers page, organised by session and paper, with mark-scheme guidance for each.
- Is there a free IB Theatre course?
- Yes — MarkScheme has a free topic-by-topic IB Theatre course with worked examples, flashcards, and criterion practice marking on every syllabus point.
Best free IB Theatre resources
Hand-picked, fully legal and free — official IB papers plus the best teacher-made notes and solutions.