IB past paper analysis

History SL
May 2026 · Paper 1

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  • 20questions
  • 120marks
  • 25question parts
  • 13micro-topics

Mark distribution

  • Paper 1 · Military leaders20%
  • Paper 1 · Conquest and its impact20%
  • Paper 1 · The move to global war20%
  • Paper 1 · Rights and protest20%
  • Paper 1 · Conflict and intervention20%

Hardest areas (by marks)

  1. 1.Richard I — Impact9 marks
  2. 2.The impact of the fall of Granada (1492)9 marks
  3. 3.Responses to Japanese expansion9 marks

Question types

identify: 40%analyse: 20%compare: 20%evaluate: 12%0%
  • identify40%
  • analyse20%
  • compare20%
  • evaluate12%

0% of parts are show / prove.

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Questions in this paper

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Explore topic pages

Every micro-topic in this paper, with its exam pattern and practice.

Browse History SL topics

Predicted questions

The likely question types in the next sitting, from the same data.

Predicted Paper 1

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Good to know

Can I download History SL May 2026 Paper 1 here?

No. The paper and its mark scheme belong to the IB and are not reproduced. This page gives the structure of every question (marks, command term, micro-topic, the skill tested), the exam analysis, and practice questions we wrote to test the same skills. Subscribers can also open our summary of how each part's marks are awarded.

Which topics dominate May 2026 Paper 1?

Paper 1 · Military leaders 20% (typical 10%), Paper 1 · Conquest and its impact 20% (typical 10%), Paper 1 · The move to global war 20% (typical 10%).

How do I practise this paper without the paper?

Press "Practise similar" on any question. We open questions matched by micro-topic, command term and mark range with model answers and AI marking, then bring you back here.