IB Geography HL

HL candidates cover the same core and optional themes but also study the global interactions extension, which is examined separately in Paper 3. HL papers generally demand more extended writing and deeper synthesis across scales. The exact assessment outline, including weighting, is published by the IB, so check its current subject guide.

The structure is Paper 1 on the optional themes, Paper 2 on the core themes, Paper 3 on global interactions for HL only, plus the internal assessment. Durations and mark allocations are set by the IB and can change between subject guide revisions, so confirm current figures on the IB website rather than relying on second-hand numbers.

The content is accessible; the difficulty is in precision. Weak answers tend to describe a case study without answering the command word, or use vague terms like 'LEDC' instead of specific places and figures. Candidates who learn a small set of well-detailed examples and practise structured extended responses usually find the papers manageable.

You need fewer than most people think, but each must be detailed enough to support analysis. Aim for examples at contrasting scales and levels of development, with named locations, dates, processes, stakeholders and outcomes. One richly known example you can adapt is worth more than ten half-remembered ones.

Retake arrangements depend on your school or exam centre and on IB rules for that session. Ask your coordinator early, because deadlines and entry categories differ. Fees, session dates and eligibility are published by the IB and by your centre, so confirm them directly rather than assuming a standard policy.

Start with the core themes because they underpin everything else, then layer in your chosen options, then the global interactions extension. For each topic, build a one-page synthesis: key concepts, processes, a named case study and a possible evaluation line. Finish with timed practice on data-response and extended-response questions.

You design and carry out a fieldwork investigation and write it up, typically including a research question, methods, data presentation, analysis and evaluation. Marks reward a clear geographical question and appropriate techniques more than sheer volume of data. Your teacher supervises and marks it, with moderation by the IB.

Ignoring command words, describing where the question asks you to evaluate; using data without interpreting it; writing generic statements that could apply anywhere; and neglecting the HL extension until the last weeks. Another frequent problem is presenting maps and graphs without saying what they show.

Only from the IB and your school's diploma coordinator. The IB publishes session dates, entry deadlines and assessment details on its official site, and your centre handles registration and fees. Treat any figure you see on a third-party study site as unverified.