IB History SL

It tests historical thinking, not recall alone. Paper 1 checks whether you can read sources closely, judge their provenance and purpose, and use them as evidence. Paper 2 checks whether you can build a comparative essay with precise examples and sustained argument. Both reward clear criteria-driven analysis over narrative summary.

External assessment consists of Paper 1, source-based structured questions on the prescribed subject, and Paper 2, extended-response essays on world history topics. Internal assessment is a separate historical investigation completed during the course. Confirm the current structure and any changes in the official IB History guide for your examination session.

The official body publishes the current paper durations, question counts and weightings for each session. These details occasionally change, so check the IB website and your school's subject guide rather than relying on older summaries. Your teacher will also confirm the exact format you will sit.

It is demanding but manageable. The difficulty lies in precision and time pressure: you must select relevant evidence quickly and sustain an argument. Students who read widely and practise timed writing usually find the source paper most learnable, while the essay paper rewards depth of specific knowledge.

Retake and resit arrangements are set by the IB and vary by session and category of registration. Ask your school's DP coordinator, who handles entries, and check the official IB website for current retake rules, deadlines and any fee information. Do not assume a previous result carries forward automatically.

Start with the prescribed subject and its source skills, because Paper 1 technique transfers to essay work. Learn to identify origin, purpose, value and limitations quickly. Then build topic knowledge for Paper 2 around themes such as rise to power, consolidation and domestic or foreign policy, keeping a bank of specific examples.

Weak candidates describe sources instead of evaluating them, or treat provenance as a checklist without linking it to content. In essays, common failures are ignoring the comparison the question demands, drifting into storytelling, and using vague examples. Always answer the exact command term and keep every paragraph tied to the question.

Move from reading to timed practice. Write full Paper 1 responses under time, then mark them against the criteria. Plan Paper 2 essays in outline form across your topics, memorising a small set of flexible examples. Review feedback on your historical investigation too, since its skills overlap with source evaluation.

No. This is independent study content and is not affiliated with the IB. The authoritative source for prescribed subjects, topic lists, assessment weightings and administrative rules is the current official IB History guide and the IB website. Always check those before making decisions about entries or revision priorities.