Everything you need to prepare for IB Geography SL: a paper-by-paper strategy for Paper 1 (options) and Paper 2 (core), a 6-week revision timeline, a unit checklist, and fieldwork IA pointers. Each topic links straight to free notes and flashcards so you can close the gaps you find. Geography rewards located case studies, accurate maps and diagrams, and a judged argument — this guide shows you how to practise all three.
Essential Geography command terms for Paper 1 and Paper 2
Geography marks are won and lost on the command term — it tells you how much argument and judgement to show. A "describe" wants the pattern with figures; an "examine" or "to what extent" wants both sides and a justified conclusion. Three are worth knowing cold before you sit the exam.
Examine
Consider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships. Set out the factors, weigh how they interact, and reach a reasoned position — this is one of the high-tariff extended-response verbs.
Evaluate
Weigh up strengths and limitations to reach a judgement. Use located case studies on both sides, consider different scales and stakeholders, then commit to a justified conclusion rather than sitting on the fence.
To what extent
Decide how far a statement is true. The mark is in the judgement: build a balanced argument, then state clearly how much you agree and why — a one-sided answer cannot reach the top band.
Not sure what you need on Paper 2 to push your overall grade to a 7? Use our interactive grade calculator to enter your mock or target percentages for Paper 1, Paper 2, and the fieldwork IA, and see how they translate into final IB grades based on historical grade boundaries.
What grade are you on track for?
Enter your marks per paper and see the grade boundaries you are aiming at.
The biggest revision mistake is studying content but ignoring format. Know exactly what each paper asks for before you start practising.
Paper 1SL1 hour 30 minutes35% (SL)
Optional themes. Answer structured and extended-response questions on the TWO options you have studied (chosen from freshwater, oceans and coastal margins, extreme environments, geophysical hazards, leisure/tourism/sport, food and health, and urban environments). Each option has data-response parts plus a high-tariff extended-response essay.
Revise both options in depth, including the "futures" / management sub-topic
Lift exact figures from the map, graph, or photo on the data-response parts
Plan the extended-response essay first: both sides, located case studies, then a judgement
Match effort to the command term — do not over-write a low-tariff "describe"
Paper 2SL1 hour 15 minutes40% (SL)
Geographic perspectives — global change (the core). Section A is short-answer and infographic-based data-response on changing population, global climate, and resource consumption; Section B is one extended-response essay chosen from a set of titles.
Know the core data — population, climate, and resource statistics and named examples
Quote the infographic / resource directly on the Section A short-answer parts
Choose the Section B essay you have the strongest located case studies for
Answer the command term — "examine" and "to what extent" need a judgement
Internal AssessmentSLCoursework (before the exams)25% (SL)
A written fieldwork report (≤ 2,500 words) based on primary data you collect yourself to answer a focused geographic question, marked out of 25 on the question and context, methods, quality of information, written analysis, and conclusion and evaluation.
Pick a sharp, answerable fieldwork question with a manageable study area
Justify your data-collection method and sampling strategy for that place
Present data with labelled maps, graphs, and tables — not raw figures
Evaluate honestly: name specific limitations and suggest realistic improvements
Starting 6 weeks out gives you enough time to go through all 6 units, identify weak spots, and do meaningful exam practice.
6+ weeks before
Foundation
Work through the notes for the three core units and both of your options — use the topic index on /ib-geography
Start a case-study bank: two or three located, contrasting examples per topic, with names, dates, and statistics
Make key-term flashcards for the core (population, climate, resources) and your two options
4–5 weeks before
Practice
Begin spaced flashcard review across the core and both options
Drill data-response skills: describe a trend from a graph with figures, and read an infographic
Attempt one Paper 1 extended-response essay under timed conditions
2–3 weeks before
Consolidation
Complete at least one full Paper 2 (Section A + a Section B essay) under timed conditions
Target weak topics — for many students that is the water–food–energy nexus or an option’s "futures" section
Practise drawing maps, cross-sections, and systems diagrams from memory
1 week before
Final push
Review mark schemes — see exactly how the extended-response markbands award analysis and judgement
Skim every unit summary and your case-study bank — reinforce, don’t re-read in full
Continue daily flashcard review (due cards only)
Day before
Light review only
Quick scan of key definitions, core statistics, and your strongest case studies
Check command terms: define, describe, explain, examine, discuss, evaluate, to what extent
Prepare equipment and get 8 hours of sleep
6
Units
Revise by unit
The three core units are tested on Paper 2; the options are tested on Paper 1 — revise the two options your school teaches. The sample options below show how each is structured.
1
Core — Changing population
Exam weight: High (Paper 2) — population structure, migration, and ageing recur on the core paper
Start dedicated Geography revision about 6 weeks before the exam. That gives you time to build a located case-study bank for the core and both of your options, drill the data-response and essay skills, and complete full past papers under timed conditions — the breadth of the core plus two options is what makes early, consistent revision pay off.
Is IB Geography hard?+
Geography is conceptually accessible, but the exams reward precision. The challenge is not difficult content — it is using named, located case studies, drawing accurate maps and diagrams under time, and writing balanced arguments that answer the exact command term and reach a justified judgement.
What topics come up most in IB Geography?+
In the Paper 2 core, population structure and migration, the causes and consequences of global climate change, and the water–food–energy nexus recur reliably. For Paper 1 it depends on the two options your school teaches — revise those in depth, including each option’s "futures" / management sub-topic, rather than spreading thin across all seven.
How do you get a 7 in IB Geography?+
Master the high-tariff command terms — "examine", "evaluate", and "to what extent" — and always finish with a justified conclusion. Keep two or three detailed, contrasting case studies per topic, draw accurate sketch maps and annotated diagrams, and treat your fieldwork IA (25%) as marks in the bank by planning it carefully and editing to the word limit.
First topic free
Turn your Geography revision plan into results
Aimnova builds a personalised study plan around your exam date — it tracks your progress, surfaces the case studies and topics you keep getting wrong, and schedules exactly what to review each day.