IB Diploma Programme Geography, SL and HL
SL and HL papers
Both levels sit Papers 1 and 2. HL adds a third option and Paper 3.
Standard level (SL)
Paper 1: geographic themes (two options) 1 h 30 min, 40 marks, 35% of the grade.
Each option has a structured question and one extended answer from a choice of two: 20 marks (10 + 10) per option, about 45 minutes each.
Paper 2: geographic perspectives, global change 1 h 15 min, 50 marks, 40% of the grade.
Section A: three structured questions, one on each core unit (30 marks). Section B: an infographic or visual stimulus with structured questions (10). Section C: one extended answer from a choice of two (10).
Internal assessment: fieldwork 25 marks, 25% of the grade.
One written report on a fieldwork question, with information collection and analysis with evaluation, within 2,500 words. Marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB.
The SL and HL coreThe optionsSkills, essays and fieldwork
210 questions at SL, with worked calculations and feedback on written answers against the IB's markbands.
Higher level (HL)
Paper 1: geographic themes (three options) 2 h 15 min, 60 marks, 35% of the grade.
As at SL, for three options: a structured question and one extended answer from a choice of two for each, 20 marks per option.
Paper 2: geographic perspectives, global change 1 h 15 min, 50 marks, 25% of the grade.
As at SL: Sections A, B and C.
Paper 3: geographic perspectives, global interactions 1 h, 28 marks, 20% of the grade.
One extended answer question in two parts from a choice of three, one on each HL core extension unit: part A 12 marks, part B 16 marks.
Internal assessment: fieldwork 25 marks, 20% of the grade.
As at SL: one written report, within 2,500 words.
The SL and HL coreThe optionsThe HL core extensionSkills, essays and fieldwork
272 questions at HL, with worked calculations and feedback on written answers against the IB's markbands.
The fieldwork report is your own investigation, so it is not practised here; the skills lesson covers its rules and criteria.