Understanding IB History

IB History is a detailed and thought-provoking curriculum. Equally so is it a challenge to even the most adept students. The IB History course consists of three exam papers and an Internal Assessment. Insofar as the IB History examination is concerned, it breaks down as follows: Paper 1 is a source-based examination whereby IB History candidates are presented with a number of reproductions of historical documents and must answer questions based upon them; Paper 2 requires students to write comparative essays based on topics they have already studies; and Paper 3 is, once more, an essay based examination paper but without the comparative element. Consequently, the IB History exam is a highly rigorous piece of work and IB History candidates require considerable training if they aim for the much coveted 7.

Approaching Paper 1

Of the three IB History exam papers, Paper 1 is often given the least attention and this is a serious mistake. As the first IB History paper students will sit, it sets the pace for the rest of the examination. A false start here could be detrimental to a student’s progress throughout the remainder of their IB History exam. Thus, due attention should be paid to it and it should not be looked over. With careful practice and the use of model responses, those studying IB History can easily score high marks in this exam paper, pushing them ever closer to the higher end of the mark band.

Paper 1 sample question

Below is an example text and an IB level question related to it:

Source B

Alan Sharp, a professor of International History, writing in the article “The Big Four: Peacemaking in Paris in 1919” in the British journal History Review (2009).

One of the strange features of the settlement was that it left defeated Germany no longer hemmed in [encircled] by great powers as it had been in 1914 and hence, potentially, in a stronger position. Whilst Germany in 1919 might be temporarily weakened by its losses and the terms of the treaty, the only great power with whom it now shared a common border was France, which had been weakened by spending a much greater proportion of its young men to gain victory. Whereas German industry was untouched and its debts internal, France faced the immense expense of restoring the devastated battlefields of the Western Front and repaying loans to America and Britain. In place of Austria-Hungary and Russia, Germany now found itself surrounded by weaker states.

‘What, according to Source B, were the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany?’ [3]

Sample response

Having read over both the stimulus text and the question, and having noted that it is weighted at three (3) marks, here is an initial student response:

The consequences for Germany were that they weren’t hemmed in by great powers anymore. Also, Germany was temporarily weakened and lastly its industry was untouched.

Although the question is worth only three marks, this response would be unlikely to receive this. It is too short, it does not incorporate quotations, and lacks the more mature writing style expected at IB level.

A more highly rated response would be as follows:

According to Source B, the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany were threefold. First, due to the damaging effects of war, Germany was no longer ‘hemmed in’ by great powers and was potentially in a more advantageous position. Second, Germany’s border neighbour, France, was exhausted by its actions to ‘gain victory’ during the war. Finally, the Treaty left Germany only ‘temporarily weakened’ by its terms, as well as the losses it accrued during the war.

This response addresses the question more directly, while also adeptly using quotations and following a clear and concise structure. For this, an IB History student would receive full marks.

IB History support

IB History is, indeed, a challenging subject. It requires not only considerable amounts of revision and memorisation, but also the ability to produce short form and long form responses, handle sources and analyse historiography. Consequently, IB History candidates can often feel overwhelmed.

At BartyED, our team of expert IB History tutors are here to help. We have guided countless students through the IB History curriculum, including supporting the IB History Internal Assessment and IB History Extended Essay. If you or your child could benefit from the expertise of one of our IB History tutors, reach out today by phone at +852 2882 1017 or email at enquiries@bartyed.com.