At a glance
- Options
- SL two, HL three, from seven
- Core
- Population, climate, resources
- HL extension
- Power, places and networks; human development and diversity; global risks and resilience
- IA
- Fieldwork report, 2,500 words
- Teaching hours
- SL 150, HL 240
IB Geography assessment
| Component | SL | HL | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: geographic themes | 1 h 30 min, 35% | 2 h 15 min, 35% | For each option: a structured question plus one extended answer from a choice of two |
| Paper 2: geographic perspectives, global change | 1 h 15 min, 40% | 1 h 15 min, 25% | Structured questions on each core unit, an infographic or visual stimulus, and one extended answer |
| Paper 3 (HL only) | Not taken | 1 h, 20% | Extended answer questions on the HL extension |
| Fieldwork (IA) | About 20 hours, 25% | About 20 hours, 20% | One written report on a fieldwork question, with primary data collection, analysis and evaluation |
Source: IB Geography subject brief for the course first assessed in 2019, still in use.
The seven options
| Physical-leaning options | Human-leaning options |
|---|---|
| Freshwater | Leisure, tourism and sport |
| Oceans and coastal margins | Food and health |
| Extreme environments | Urban environments |
| Geophysical hazards |
Schools choose which options to teach, often based on teacher expertise and fieldwork opportunities.
Where IB Geography marks are lost
- Case studies without detail. Extended answers need named places, data and specific consequences, not generic examples.
- Command terms. "Examine", "evaluate" and "to what extent" need balanced, judged answers, not lists.
- Scale and perspective. The markscheme rewards answers that consider different scales (local to global) and stakeholders.
- Diagram and data skills. Paper 2 infographics and data need reading closely and quoting precisely.
- A fieldwork question that is too broad or not testable with primary data.
How one-to-one Geography lessons work
A tutor who teaches IB Geography helps the student build a compact case study bank for each option and core unit, with figures and named places, and then practise using it in timed extended answers. Lessons work through command terms, essay plans on the shared whiteboard, and Paper 2 data and infographic questions.
For the fieldwork report, the tutor helps the student frame a testable question, plan data collection and choose suitable analysis and presentation techniques. The fieldwork and writing are the student's own. Gulf cities offer strong local fieldwork topics, such as urban heat, coastal change, land use and tourism.
Make the case study bank early
One page per case study, with location, key figures, causes, impacts and responses, is enough. Students who build these during DP1 revise much more efficiently in DP2.
Common questions
What is the difference between SL and HL Geography?
HL studies three options instead of two, takes a longer Paper 1, and adds Paper 3 on the HL extension (global interactions). HL has 240 teaching hours against 150 at SL.
How long is the IB Geography IA?
The fieldwork report has a 2,500-word limit and involves about 20 hours of work, including collecting primary data. It is worth 25% at SL and 20% at HL.
Is IB Geography a science or a humanity?
It sits in Group 3 (individuals and societies), but it includes a lot of physical geography and data analysis, so it suits students who like both.
Can a tutor help with the fieldwork?
Yes, with framing the question, planning data collection and understanding analysis methods. The fieldwork and the report must be done by the student.
How much do IB Geography lessons cost?
$15 a lesson, the same flat rate for every subject and level, on a weekly plan billed monthly. Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one and online, and the first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.