IB Geography

Standard Level

Note: essay-like questions account for 41% of the written exam
(15 marks on p1 + 2x10 marks on p2, out of 85 marks)

Paper 1 (1h30) - Four Core Themes (40%)
  • Syllabus: Core Themes only
  • Format: Section A has FOUR "short-answer" document-based questionnaires (one for each core theme) + Section B has ONE essay-like question (include annotated maps/diagrams where appropriate)
  • Duration: 1h30 (recommended: approx 15 minutes for each document-based questionnaire in Section A + 25-30 minutes for section B)
  • Maximum total of marks: 45 marks (Section A) + 15 marks (Section B) = 60 marks
  • Weight in final grade: 40%
  • This paper is common to both SL and HL students

Paper 2 (1h20) - Two Optional Themes (35%)
  • Syllabus: TWO Optional Themes only
  • Format: on each of the TWO optional themes which they have studied, candidates must choose between two document-based "structured questions". Each one is composed of 2-3 short-answer questions + one essay-like question (include annotated maps/diagrams where appropriate)
  • Duration: 1h20 (recommended: 40 minutes for each document-based "structured question", including 20 minutes for each extended-response question)
  • Maximum total of marks: 20 marks x 2 themes = 40 marks
  • Weight in final grade: 35%
  • This paper is shorter for SL students (2 questions) than for HL students (3 questions)

Fieldwork (2,500 words max - 25%)
  • Research topics allowed (local scale only):
  • Format: individual written report of 2,500 words maximum
  • Recommended time: 20 hours (including data collection)
  • Maximum total: 30 marks
  • Weight in final grade: 25%
  • The fieldwork is required for both SL and HL students

Higher Level

Note: essay-like questions account for 54% of the written exam
(15 marks on p1 + 3x10 marks on p2 + 25 marks on p3, out of 130 marks)

Paper 1 (1h30) - Four Core Themes (25%)
  • Syllabus: Core Themes only
  • Format: Section A has FOUR " short-answer" document-based questionnaires (one for each core theme) + Section B has ONE essay-like question (include annotated maps/diagrams where appropriate)
  • Duration: 1h30 (recommended: approx 15 minutes for each document-based questionnaire in Section A + 25-30 minutes for section B)
  • Maximum total of marks: 45 marks (Section A) + 15 marks (Section B) = 60 marks
  • Weight in final grade: 25%
  • This paper is common to both SL and HL students

Paper 2 (2h00) - Three Optional Themes (35%)
  • Syllabus: THREE Optional Themes
  • Format: on each of the THREE optional themes which they have studied, candidates must choose between two document-based "structured questions". Each one is composed of 2-3 short-answer questions + one essay-like question (include annotated maps/diagrams where appropriate)
  • Duration: 2h00 (recommended: 40 minutes for each document-based "structured question", including 20 minutes for each extended-response question)
  • Maximum total of marks: 20 marks x 3 themes = 60 marks
  • Weight in final grade: 35%
  • This paper is longer for HL students (3 questions) than for SL students (2 questions)

Paper 3 (1h00) - HL Extension Themes (20%)
  • Syllabus: HL Extension Themes only
  • Format: Students must choose ONE of three essay questions. Each essay question is actually formulated as two separate parts (include annotated maps/diagrams where appropriate on both part A and part B)
  • Duration: 1h00 (recommended: 25 minutes on part A + 35 minutes on part B)
  • Maximum total: 10 marks (part A) + 15 marks (part B) = 25 marks
  • Weight in final grade: 20%
  • This paper is for HL students only

Fieldwork (2,500 words max - 20%)
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SL: essay-like questions account for 41% of the written exam
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HL: essay-like questions account for 54% of the written exam
Calculators are NOT allowed in geography examinations