IB Geography SL — Study Hub
Your complete study hub for IB Geography SL. Free notes, flashcards, and exam-style practice for the three core units and all seven options.
What is IB Geography?
IB Geography is a Group 3 (Individuals and Societies) subject that studies the relationships between people, places, and environments at scales from the local to the global. It blends physical geography (climate, water, hazards) with human geography (population, resources, cities) and rewards students who argue with evidence, real-world case studies, and clear maps and diagrams.
At Standard Level you study three compulsory core units — changing population, global climate (vulnerability and resilience), and global resource consumption and security — alongside two of the seven optional themes. Paper 1 tests your chosen options, Paper 2 covers the SL core, and the internal assessment is a fieldwork investigation based on data you collect yourself.
Subject Group
Group 3
Available Levels
SL
Teaching Hours
150 (SL)
Exam Papers
Paper 1 · Paper 2 · IA
IB Geography SL Assessment
Paper 1 — Options
35% (SL)1h 30mStructured and extended-response questions on the two options you have studied (chosen from freshwater, oceans and coastal margins, extreme environments, geophysical hazards, leisure, tourism and sport, food and health, and urban environments).
Paper 2 — Core
40% (SL)1h 15mShort-answer and infographic-based questions plus one extended-response essay on the three core units: changing population, global climate, and global resource consumption.
Internal Assessment — Fieldwork
25% (SL)A written fieldwork report (up to 2,500 words) based on primary data you collect to answer your own geographic question, marked on methodology, analysis, and evaluation.
IB Geography Syllabus — Core Units and Options
Unit 1: Changing population
Unit 10: Option D: Geophysical hazards
Unit 11: Option E: Leisure, tourism and sport
Unit 12: Option F: The geography of food and health
Unit 13: Option G: Urban environments
Unit 2: Global climate - vulnerability and resilience
Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security
Unit 7: Option A: Freshwater - drainage basins
Unit 8: Option B: Oceans and coastal margins
Unit 9: Option C: Extreme environments
Free IB Geography Study Resources
Frequently Asked Questions about IB Geography
How is IB Geography SL assessed?
SL students sit two exams and complete one piece of coursework. Paper 1 (35%) tests your two options, Paper 2 (40%) covers the three core units, and the internal assessment (25%) is a fieldwork investigation based on primary data you collect yourself.
Which options should I choose for Paper 1?
You study two of the seven options — freshwater, oceans and coastal margins, extreme environments, geophysical hazards, leisure, tourism and sport, food and health, and urban environments. Your school usually decides; freshwater, urban environments, and geophysical hazards are among the most popular.
Is IB Geography hard?
Geography is conceptually accessible but exam marks reward precision: clearly labelled diagrams and maps, the right command term, and well-chosen case studies applied to the question. The breadth of the core plus two options is the main challenge, so consistent case-study revision matters.
How do I get a 7 in IB Geography?
Master the command terms — especially "examine", "evaluate", and "to what extent" — and finish every essay with a justified judgement. Keep a bank of two or three detailed, contrasting case studies per topic, draw accurate sketch maps and diagrams, and use your fieldwork IA as marks in the bank.
Start studying IB Geography for free
Notes, flashcards, and AI-powered practice for the core and every option, all aligned to the IB Geography syllabus.
Get Started FreeNo credit card required · Cancel anytime