SL and HL papers

Standard level (SL)

• Paper 1: source-based paper on the core topics 1 h 15 min, 25 marks, 30% of the grade.

  Four sources and four compulsory structured questions: understanding a source, analysing it, comparing two, and an extended answer that evaluates the sources with your own knowledge.

• Paper 2: extended response on the thematic studies 1 h 45 min, 30 marks, 40% of the grade.

  Two essays: one from section A, on one thematic study, and one from section B, an integrating question that connects the themes and the core.

• Internal assessment: engagement project 24 marks, 30% of the grade.

  A written report on a political issue you explore through engagement and research. Marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB.

CoreThematic studiesPapers, skills and the engagement projectTimed check

217 questions at SL, with Mia's feedback on every written answer.

Higher level (HL)

• Paper 1: source-based paper on the core topics 1 h 15 min, 25 marks, 20% of the grade.

  As at SL: four sources and four compulsory structured questions.

• Paper 2: extended response on the thematic studies 1 h 45 min, 30 marks, 30% of the grade.

  As at SL: two essays, one from section A and one from section B.

• Paper 3: global political challenges 1 h 30 min, 28 marks, 30% of the grade.

  A stimulus and three questions drawing on the case studies you researched for the HL extension, including a recommendation for action.

• Internal assessment: engagement project 30 marks, 20% of the grade.

  As at SL, with a recommendation for addressing the political issue. Marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB.

CoreThematic studiesHL extensionPapers, skills and the engagement projectTimed check

248 questions at HL, with Mia's feedback on every written answer.

What each question is marked on

• Paper 1, question 1: understanding a source (3 marks)

  • Points from the source. Make separate, accurate points drawn from the source, in your own words.

• Paper 1, question 2: applying knowledge to a source (4 marks)

  • Knowledge applied to the source. Explain the term or claim in the source, using your knowledge of global politics to show what it means.

• Paper 1, question 3: comparing two sources (6 marks)

  • Similarities. Show what the two sources agree on, point by point.
  • Differences. Show where the two sources differ, point by point.
  • A running comparison. Compare the sources together throughout, rather than describing one and then the other.

• Paper 1, question 4: the sources and your own knowledge (12 marks)

  • The demands of the question. Answer the question that is set, weighing the claim it makes rather than writing about the topic in general.
  • Relevant, accurate knowledge. Bring in accurate knowledge of your own: concepts, actors and real examples, used where they matter.
  • Sources and own knowledge together. Use evidence from the sources and join it with your own knowledge in the same points, rather than describing the sources one by one.
  • Different perspectives. Identify different perspectives on the question, explore them, and evaluate them.

• Paper 2: each essay (15 marks)

  • The demands of the question. Address what the question asks and, at the top, consider its implications.
  • Structure and argument. A well organized response with clear, coherent arguments that build to a conclusion.
  • Claims justified. Justify every main claim and, at the top, evaluate it.
  • Relevant, accurate knowledge. Use relevant and accurate knowledge of concepts and prescribed content throughout.
  • Developed examples. Develop each supporting example: say what happened and why it matters for the argument, rather than only naming it.
  • Diverse perspectives. Identify diverse perspectives on the question, explore them, and evaluate them.

• Paper 3, question 1: the stimulus (3 marks, HL only)

  • The stimulus and the challenge. Explain what the stimulus shows and link it to a global political challenge you know.

• Paper 3, question 2a: analysing a political issue (4 marks, HL only)

  • Analysis, not description. Analyse the political issue: its causes, the actors involved and what is at stake, rather than describing it.
  • Knowledge of the context. Show relevant and accurate knowledge of the context of the issue.

• Paper 3, question 2b: a recommendation (6 marks, HL only)

  • A clear recommendation. Make a clear recommendation that addresses the issue you identified.
  • Support for the recommendation. Support it: who would act, how, and why it would work.
  • Challenges and implications. Consider possible challenges, implications or unintended consequences.

• Paper 3, question 3: your researched case studies (15 marks, HL only)

  • The demands of the question. Address what the question asks and, at the top, consider its implications.
  • Structure and argument. A well organized response with clear, coherent arguments that build to a conclusion.
  • Claims justified. Justify every main claim and, at the top, evaluate it.
  • Relevant, accurate knowledge. Use relevant and accurate knowledge of concepts and prescribed content throughout.
  • Developed examples. Develop each supporting example: say what happened and why it matters for the argument, rather than only naming it.
  • Diverse perspectives. Identify diverse perspectives on the question, explore them, and evaluate them.