The IB English B HL listening component assesses your ability to understand and interpret spoken language in a variety of contexts, including formal and informal situations, and a range of text types, such as lectures, conversations, interviews, and discussions. The listening component consists of two parts:

Use the 2-3 minutes before the first play to activate your schema . Underline keywords in the questions. Predict what you will hear. If question 3 asks for “the two reasons the manager rejected the proposal,” you know exactly when to perk up your ears.

If the HL listening paper feels daunting, you are not alone. Here is your strategic guide to walking into that exam with confidence.

To excel, you must be familiar with the vocabulary and concepts associated with the five IB prescribed themes: Developing in a language - International Baccalaureate

Unlike the controlled conditions of a writing exam, listening requires split-second decisions. You cannot rewind the audio. You cannot ask the invigilator to repeat the anecdote about the Spanish train station.