At a glance
- Exams in 2027
- Current guide (first assessment 2017)
- Exams from 2028
- New guide, first taught August 2026
- Internal assessment
- Historical investigation
- HL extra
- Paper 3, regional option
- Grades
- 1 to 7
Current guide: exams up to and including 2027
| Component | SL | HL | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1 h, 30% | 1 h, 20% | Four questions on four sources from one prescribed subject |
| Paper 2 | 1 h 30 min, 45% | 1 h 30 min, 25% | Two essays on two different world history topics |
| Paper 3 (HL only) | Not taken | 2 h 30 min, 35% | Three essays on one regional option |
| Historical investigation (IA) | Up to 2,200 words, 25% | Up to 2,200 words, 20% | Source evaluation, investigation and reflection |
The four HL regional options are Africa and the Middle East, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe.
New guide: first assessment May 2028
Students who began the Diploma in August 2026 follow this course. Published summaries report these changes; check details with your child's school.
| Component | What changes |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Still source-based, built around an inquiry question, with three sources; the old origin, purpose, value and limitation formula is replaced by comprehension, analysis and synthesis questions |
| Paper 2 | Organised around a thematic study with a conceptual section, short and extended responses; contemporary examples are allowed |
| Paper 3 (HL) | Two essays instead of three, in 2 hours |
| Historical investigation | Reflection section removed; up to seven sources; restructured around the inquiry question, sources and perspectives, and synthesis and evaluation |
Published summaries report the same overall weightings as the current course (SL 30%, 45%, 25%; HL 20%, 25%, 35%, 20%).
Where IB History marks are lost
- Narrative instead of argument. Essays that tell the story score low; examiners reward a clear thesis answered through analysis of causes, consequences and significance.
- Thin, vague evidence. Dates, names, statistics and historians' views make an argument convincing.
- Paper 1 timing. With only an hour, students who over-write the first questions have no time for the final comparison or synthesis question.
- Ignoring the question's terms. "To what extent" and "compare and contrast" demand a particular structure.
- An investigation question that is too broad. A narrow, answerable question with good sources is the key to a high mark.
How one-to-one History lessons work
A tutor who teaches IB History focuses on the student's actual topics and on essay craft. Typical lessons build a thesis for a past essay question, outline it on the shared whiteboard, then write a timed introduction and body paragraph that the tutor marks against the criteria. Evidence revision runs alongside, using timelines and concise case notes.
For Paper 1, lessons practise the source questions under time pressure. For the historical investigation, the tutor helps narrow the question, discuss sources and plan the structure, while the writing stays the student's own. If your child is on the new course, the tutor works from the 2028 specimen materials rather than older past papers.
Which guide is my child on?
If your child sits final exams in May 2027, they are on the current guide. If they started DP1 in August 2026 (final exams May 2028), they are on the new guide. The difference changes which past papers are useful.
Common questions
What does IB History HL add?
Paper 3, a regional option worth 35% under the current guide, with three essays in 2 hours 30 minutes. Under the new guide from 2028, Paper 3 has two essays in 2 hours.
How long is the IB History IA?
Under the current guide, the historical investigation is up to 2,200 words. The new guide restructures it and removes the reflection section; check the current word limit with your child's teacher.
Is IB History good for law or politics degrees?
History HL is widely respected for essay-based degrees, but universities rarely require it. It builds the analytical writing those degrees value.
Are older past papers still useful under the new guide?
For essay practice on overlapping topics, yes. Paper 1 and Paper 2 formats change, so use specimen materials for exam-format practice.
How much do IB History lessons cost?
$15 a lesson, the same flat rate for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons 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.