IB History SL
The Standard Level of IB History. Combines the study of a prescribed subject with world-history topics, developing source analysis, essay writing, and historical argumentation across a range of 20th-century themes.
Difficulty
Challenging
Popularity
60%
Past questions
3
Study tips
5
Key Topics
Exam Format & Dates
May & November, annually
2 hours 30 minutes
1–7 scale (IB)
4 = passing | 6–7 = excellent
| Section | Duration | Content | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1 – 1¼ hours | Source / stimulus analysis | 30% |
| Paper 2 | 1½ – 2¼ hours | Structured essays | 45% |
| Internal Assessment | Coursework | Individual investigation / project | 25% |
Exam Breakdown & Insights
Difficulty · Demanding
Popularity score
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Study Tips
- 1
For source questions, always analyze origin, purpose, and audience — not just content.
- 2
Make timelines for each period and quiz yourself on causes and consequences of key turning points.
- 3
Organize your knowledge by themes (politics, economy, society, foreign policy), not just chronology.
- 4
Past papers with mark schemes are the single best IB revision resource — learn exactly how marks are allocated.
- 5
Do not neglect your Internal Assessment: it is a significant chunk of your grade that you control before exam day.
Past Exam Questions
Describe the key features of Source Analysis Skills, giving specific and accurate supporting detail.
Explain the main causes and consequences of Prescribed Subject, showing how the factors connect to one another.
"World History Topics was the most significant turning point of its era." Assess the validity of this claim, weighing the evidence before reaching a judgement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕
Making claims without specific supporting evidence (names, dates, statistics).
- ✕
Ignoring the command word — "evaluate" demands a judgement, not a description.
- ✕
Describing sources instead of analyzing their origin, purpose, and reliability.
Official Resources
Free, official study material for IB History SL — always start with the source your exam board publishes.
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