IB History: A Complete Guide for Students and Parents

Continuing our A-Level and IB Subject Guide Series, this week we take an in-depth look at IB History – a challenging and rewarding subject that develops critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to analyse complex events.

Whether studied at Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL), IB History is more than memorising dates — it’s about understanding causes, consequences, and perspectives, and learning how to construct evidence-based arguments.

What is IB History?

IB History focuses on analysing significant events, developments, and individuals across different regions and periods. Students don’t study all of world history — instead, the IB provides prescribed topics and options, and each school chooses a specific focus.

A key rule is that students must study history from more than one region of the world, and the time periods chosen must span at least 100 years. This ensures that students get a broad perspective, not just a deep dive into one era.

How Teachers Choose the Content

Schools select from three main areas:

1. Prescribed Subjects (Source-based Paper 1 topics) – Examples include:

• Military leaders (e.g., Genghis Khan, Napoleon)
• Conquest and its impact (e.g., Spanish conquest of the Americas)
• Rights and protest (e.g., US Civil Rights Movement, Apartheid in South Africa)
• Conflict and intervention (e.g., Rwanda, Kosovo)

2. World History Topics (Essay-based Paper 2 topics) – Examples include:

• Authoritarian states (Hitler, Stalin, Castro, Mao)
• Causes and effects of 20th-century wars
• The Cold War: superpower tensions and rivalries
• Decolonisation and independence movements

3. HL Options (Paper 3, HL only) – Examples include:

• History of Europe
• History of Asia and Oceania
• History of Africa and the Middle East
• History of the Americas

Important: Because choices vary between schools, two IB History students in different schools might cover completely different content.

How is IB History Assessed?

Assessment combines source analysis, essay writing, and an internal investigation.

External Assessment – 75% of Final Grade (SL) / 80% of Final Grade (HL)

📌 Paper 1 (SL: 30%, HL: 20%) – Source-based paper on the prescribed subject chosen by the school.

• Four compulsory questions based on unseen sources.
• Tests skills in comprehension, analysis, and evaluation of historical evidence.

📌 Paper 2 (SL: 45%, HL: 25%) – Essay paper on world history topics.

• Two essays chosen from different topics studied.
• Requires deep knowledge and the ability to argue clearly.

📌 Paper 3 (HL only: 35%) – Essay paper on the HL option.

• Three essays on region-specific history studied in class.

Internal Assessment (IA) – 25% of Final Grade (SL) / 20% of Final Grade (HL)

The IA is a historical investigation of your choice, within 2,200 words. It includes:

1. Identification and evaluation of sources – Selecting two key sources and analysing their value and limitations.
2. Investigation – The main research section with analysis and evidence.
3. Reflection – Considering what the investigation reveals about the methods used by historians.

Why the IA is Valuable:
It’s a chance to explore any period, place, or topic you’re passionate about — even outside the syllabus. Past examples include:

• The role of propaganda in the 1917 Russian Revolution.
• The influence of the media on the Vietnam War.
• The causes of the Rwandan genocide.

This freedom makes the IA ideal for showcasing personal interest and independent research skills — both highly valued by universities.

Practical Insights Students Should Know

1. Breadth vs Depth – You’ll cover multiple regions and at least a century of history, so time management in revision is key.

2. Writing Under Pressure – Exams reward concise, well-structured arguments, not simply lists of facts.

3. Source Skills Matter – Paper 1 requires practice in extracting meaning quickly from primary and secondary sources.

4. HL is Demanding – HL students must prepare for an extra paper (Paper 3), which can mean 6+ essays in a single exam session.

5. IA Planning Takes Time – The best investigations start early to allow for source gathering, reading, and refining the research question.

Who is IB History Helpful For?

• Students aiming for Law, Politics, International Relations, Journalism, or History degrees.
• Those who enjoy argumentative writing and critical analysis.
• Students who want to develop research and independent learning skills that transfer to any academic field.

The Hardest Parts of IB History

❌ Memorising Multiple Case Studies – You need specific evidence for each essay.
❌ Time Management in Exams – Two or three essays in under 90 minutes each is intense.
❌ Balancing Different Time Periods – Switching between, for example, 19th-century Europe and 20th-century Asia, requires mental agility.

HRB Education: Helping You Succeed in IB History

At HRB Education, we help students develop both the knowledge base and exam skills needed for success. Our expert tutors provide:
✅ Guidance on structuring high-mark history essays.
✅ Source analysis training for Paper 1.
✅ Support with IA research, writing, and referencing.
✅ Revision planning across different regions and time periods.

📢 Want to master IB History and impress universities with your historical thinking? Contact HRB Education today and let us help you excel!

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