IB History HL - 2028
The HL History course in the IB Diploma Programme is designed to encourage the exploration of history from multiple perspectives and to teach students to make evidence-based arguments. The wide variety of topics, subtopics, and examples required for study gives students the chance to better understand the complexity of human nature and deepen their knowledge of the contemporary dynamics between individuals and societies.
Practice Exams
Choose your revision tool! Includes topic quizzes and mock exams to help you precisely target your learning.
Course Structure and Content
Every IB History student in schools around the world will likely have a different path through the course content. While the standard- and higher-level courses have similar structures and many elements are identical, it is important to understand that the IB History HL course is bigger both in the quantity of material expected as well as the depth of knowledge demanded of that material.
Higher Level History includes an external assessment, Paper 3, which does not exist in the Standard Level course. This paper demands an in-depth study of a Regional Option: Africa and the Middle East, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, or Europe. Students will study two separate Regional Studies of material within a Regional Option and during the Paper 3 exam, they will write two essays about those sections.
Paper 1 and Paper 2 are identical in the History HL and SL courses. Students will answer questions on one of the five Focused Studies in Paper 1, as well as on one of the four Thematic Studies in Paper 2. A sample course outline for the IB History HL course might look like this:
- Paper 1: Focused Study 4: Conflict and Displacement - Post-war displacement in Europe (1945-1960) and the Indochina refugee crisis (1975-1990)
- Paper 2: Thematic Study 1: Conflict - Second World War (in Europe and Asia), the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.
- Paper 3: History of the Americas: Regional Study 9 - The Americas during the Cold War (1945-1991) and Regional Study 10 - Political Developments in Latin America (1934-2020).
The final element of the IB History HL course is the internal assessment, a historical investigation based on a topic of the student's choosing. This independent research task is a great opportunity for students to either a) explore an area of interest not addressed in their classroom studies and/or b) enhance or reinforce their understanding of the topics and examples studied in class.
Tips for Success
- Paper 3 is long and grueling: 120 minutes means you'll have 60 minutes per essay question. Try breaking the exam down into smaller units and allot time for deciding which questions you will respond to, planning your response, writing, and resting. Yes, resting! Both your hand and your brain will need a break. Practice your technique before exam day.
- Remember that all of the knowledge you have accumulated across the two years of the course may be useful at any point in the course. Just because you learned about the Chinese Civil War for Thematic Study 1 - Conflict doesn't mean you can't use that knowledge for Paper 3 questions from Regional Study 8 - Emergence of Modern China (1910-1949).
- A major change for the new course is that all 15-mark questions on Paper 2 and Paper 3 are framed as “To what extent…” questions. This means you need to get comfortable with exploring multiple perspectives. What are the historiographical perspectives on the topic? How did various factors (economics, politics, social, etc.) influence historical events and issues? Similarly, what were the economic, political, and social changes and outcomes of historical events?
The Higher Level IB History resources available on RV are designed to provide various ways to acquire content knowledge and practice skills that will effectively prepare you for the HL exam.