Everything you need to prepare for the redesigned IB History syllabus (first exams 2028) at SL and HL: a paper-by-paper strategy for the Paper 1 focused-study source questions, the Paper 2 thematic-study essays, and the HL Paper 3 regional depth studies, a 6-week revision timeline, a topic checklist, and links to free notes and flashcards. The 2028 course rewards evaluation, cross-regional argument, and a substantiated judgement built on the four concepts — this guide shows you how.
The redesigned History papers are built around a small set of command terms — they tell you how much argument and judgement to show. Paper 1 uses three static command terms (one per question); the essays add "to what extent". Know these cold before you sit the exam.
Explain / Analyse (Paper 1 Q1 & Q2)
Q1 "Explain how the content of both Source A and Source B can be used to answer the inquiry question" [6] — use BOTH sources (one alone caps you at 3/6). Q2 "Analyse how the context of Source C influences how it can be used" [6] — link the source’s origin, purpose, time and place to what it can and cannot show.
Examine (Paper 1 Q3, perspectives)
Examine how the perspectives in ALL the sources can be used to answer the inquiry question [12] — worth half of Paper 1. Group the sources by perspective and examine similarities AND differences; using only one source caps you at 6/12, only two at 9/12.
To what extent do you agree (essays)
The Paper 2 §B(b) [15] and every HL Paper 3 essay [15] give you a claim to evaluate. The mark is in the judgement: argue for and against with precise evidence, then state how far you agree and why. A narrative that never judges cannot reach the top band; no historians need be cited on Paper 3.
Not sure what you need on each paper 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, (HL) Paper 3 and the historical investigation, 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.
Source-based paper on ONE focused study (24 marks), using three sources (A, B, C) framed by an inquiry question. Three static questions: Q1 the content of both Source A and Source B [6], Q2 the context of one source [6], and Q3 the perspectives across all the sources [12].
Q1: use BOTH Source A and B — a one-source answer is capped at 3/6
Q2: link the source’s origin, purpose, time and place to how it can be used
Q3 is half the paper — examine similarities AND differences across all sources
Never answer the inquiry question directly; show how a historian would use the sources
On the thematic studies (25 marks). Section A: one concept mini-essay [6] (choose one of two). Section B: choose one thematic study and answer both parts — (a) an "explain" question [4] and (b) a "to what extent" essay using at least two examples from at least two regions [15].
§A: analyse the CONCEPT itself, then anchor it in one specific, dated example
§B(b): use ≥2 examples from ≥2 regions — a single-region answer caps below the top band
Argue and evaluate throughout, then reach a substantiated judgement
Prepare all four concepts; the exam sets two and you answer one
Paper 3HL only2 hours35% (HL)
On your regional depth study (30 marks). Separate papers for each region — Africa & the Middle East, the Americas, Asia & Oceania, or Europe — each with 24 questions across 12 regional studies. Answer TWO "to what extent do you agree" essays [15 each], each from a DIFFERENT regional study.
Revise more than two regional studies so you can always find two you can answer
Evaluate the claim: weigh the argument for and against, then judge — do not narrate
No historiography (named historians) is required for the top band; precise evidence is
Time it: two essays in 2 hours means ~55 minutes each, including a quick plan
An internally assessed investigation of a historical question of your choice, marked on the identification and evaluation of sources, the investigation itself, and reflection on the methods and limitations of the historian.
Pick a sharp, answerable question with enough accessible sources
Identify and evaluate your sources rigorously (origin, purpose, value, limitations)
Build an evidenced, argued investigation — not a narrative
Reflect genuinely on the challenges and limitations of doing history
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 your Paper 1 focused studies and your Paper 2 thematic studies — use the topic index on /ib-history-2028
Start an example bank: two or three precise, dated examples per thematic study, from different regions, with names, dates and figures
HL: read the notes for the regional depth studies in your chosen region
4–5 weeks before
Practice
Drill the Paper 1 routine: Q1 content of both sources, Q2 context of one source, Q3 perspectives across all
Practise the Paper 2 §A concept mini-essay and a §B(b) cross-regional "to what extent" essay
Begin spaced flashcard review across your focused, thematic and regional studies
2–3 weeks before
Consolidation
Complete a full Paper 1 and a full Paper 2 under timed conditions and mark against the markbands
HL: practise Paper 3 timing — two "to what extent do you agree" essays in 2 hours
Target weak studies and rehearse reaching a substantiated judgement using the four concepts
1 week before
Final push
Review the markbands — see exactly how the source questions and essays are rewarded
Skim every topic summary and your example bank — reinforce, don’t re-read in full
Continue daily flashcard review (due cards only)
Day before
Light review only
Quick scan of key dates, your strongest cross-regional examples, and the four concepts
Check the command terms: explain, analyse, examine, to what extent, evaluate, discuss
Prepare equipment and get 8 hours of sleep
6
Units
Revise by topic
Paper 1 is one focused study (three source questions); Paper 2 is the thematic studies (a concept essay + a cross-regional "to what extent" essay); HL adds Paper 3, two evaluate-the-argument essays on a regional depth study. Revise the studies your school teaches — the samples below show how each is structured. Each links straight to free notes and flashcards.
2
Paper 1 — Independence and identity
Exam weight: Paper 1 (source-based) — the Haitian Revolution and Kenyan independence, on the inquiry question
content of the sourcescontext (origin & purpose)perspectivesinquiry questionsource technique
How long should you revise for the new IB History (2028)?+
Start dedicated revision about 6 weeks before the exam. The 2028 course is broad — Paper 1 focused studies, Paper 2 thematic studies, and (HL) Paper 3 regional depth studies — so early, consistent revision is what lets you build a cross-regional example bank, drill the three-question source routine, and complete full papers under timed conditions.
How is the 2028 course different to revise for?+
The formats changed. Paper 1 is now three static source questions — the content of two sources [6], the context of one [6], and the perspectives across all [12] — not the old OPVL paper. Paper 2 is a concept mini-essay plus a cross-regional "to what extent" essay, and HL Paper 3 is two "to what extent do you agree" essays. Revision should drill these exact formats and the four concepts.
What is the difference between SL and HL in the 2028 course?+
SL and HL share Paper 1 (focused studies) and Paper 2 (thematic studies); the weightings differ (Paper 2 is 40% at SL, 25% at HL). HL adds Paper 3 — two essays on a regional depth study, worth 35% — which demands greater depth. The historical investigation IA is 30% at SL and 20% at HL.
How do you get a 7 in the new IB History?+
Learn to evaluate, not narrate. Master the three-question Paper 1 routine and the "to what extent" essay, keep two or three precise, dated examples from different regions for each thematic study, use the four concepts (cause and consequence, continuity and change, perspectives, significance) to structure arguments, and always finish with a substantiated judgement.
First topic free
Turn your History (2028) revision plan into results
Aimnova builds a personalised study plan around your exam date — it tracks your progress, surfaces the studies and examples you keep getting wrong, and schedules exactly what to review each day.