IB Diploma Programme History, SL and HL
SL and HL papers
Both levels sit Papers 1 and 2. HL adds Paper 3 on one region.
Standard level (SL)
Paper 1: source-based paper on the prescribed subjects 1 h, 24 marks, 30% of the grade.
One prescribed subject from five, four sources and four structured questions, the last an essay that uses the sources and your own knowledge.
Paper 2: essays on the world history topics 1 h 30 min, 30 marks, 45% of the grade.
Two essays, each on a different world history topic.
Internal assessment: historical investigation 25 marks, 25% of the grade.
A historical investigation into a topic of your choice, at most 2,200 words: identification and evaluation of sources, the investigation, and a reflection. Marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB.
Paper 1Paper 2Sources, essays and the investigation
224 questions at SL, with feedback on source answers and essays against the IB's markbands.
Higher level (HL)
Paper 1: source-based paper on the prescribed subjects 1 h, 24 marks, 20% of the grade.
As at SL: four sources and four structured questions on one prescribed subject.
Paper 2: essays on the world history topics 1 h 30 min, 30 marks, 25% of the grade.
As at SL: two essays on two different world history topics.
Paper 3: essays on one HL regional option 2 h 30 min, 45 marks, 35% of the grade.
Three essays on the regional option your school studies; each section of the option has two questions.
Internal assessment: historical investigation 25 marks, 20% of the grade.
As at SL. At most 2,200 words. Marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB.
Paper 1Paper 2HL Paper 3Sources, essays and the investigation
297 questions at HL, with feedback on source answers and essays against the IB's markbands.
The historical investigation is your own research, so it is not practised here; the skills lesson covers its rules and criteria.