Group 3: Individuals & SocietiesSL AvailableHL Available

IB History

Study of global history focusing on analysis, evidence, and historiography.

IB History develops critical analysis of historical sources and interpretations. Students study world history topics and regional options while developing skills in evaluating evidence and understanding multiple perspectives on the past. Two guides are in use: exams in 2027 follow the guide first assessed in 2017; a new guide is first assessed in May 2028.

SL & HL
Levels offered
90 min
One-to-one lessons
$95
Lowest rate per lesson
Max 6
IB group programs
Prices and optionsRequest a tutor
Whiteboard in an IB History HL lesson on the Cold War, 1945-1991: causes and consequences, a timeline from the end of the Second World War to the dissolution of the USSR, and a side-by-side USA and USSR comparison table.
From a live online one-to-one IB History HL lesson at the TestPrep Group
Course Introduction

Why History Matters

Your grade in IB History counts toward the 45-point Diploma, and many university courses ask for a particular grade in the subject, often at Higher Level.

Foundation for history and humanities degrees
Develops critical thinking and source analysis
Understanding of global perspectives
Valuable for law, journalism, and research careers
Whiteboard in an IB History SL lesson: causes and consequences of the First World War beside an 1870-1920 timeline running from the unification of Germany to the Treaty of Versailles, with short-term and long-term comparison notes.
Standard Level
SL Overview

SL covers a prescribed subject and two world history topics for 2027 exams, or a focused study and a thematic study from 2028, plus a historical investigation, in 150 hours.

Higher Level
HL Overview

HL adds a regional option (a depth study for 2027 exams, a regional study from 2028) assessed in Paper 3, in 240 hours.

Career Pathways

AcademiaLawJournalismMuseum StudiesArchivesTeachingPublic PolicyInternational Relations

History syllabus topics

The topics of the subject guide. Lessons follow your school's order and level.

Unit 1
Prescribed Subject (2027 exams)
  • Military leaders
  • Conquest and its impact
  • The move to global war
  • Rights and protest
  • Conflict and intervention
Unit 2
World History Topics (2027 exams)
  • Society and economy (750-1400)
  • Authoritarian states (20th century)
  • Causes and effects of 20th-century wars
  • Independence movements (1800-2000)
  • The Cold War
Unit 3 (HL)
HL Depth Study (2027 exams)
  • History of Africa and the Middle East
  • History of the Americas
  • History of Asia and Oceania
  • History of Europe
Unit 4
Focused Study (from 2028)
  • Independence and identity
  • Political and economic transitions
  • Conflict and displacement
  • Climate and innovation
  • Protest and change
Unit 5
Thematic Study (from 2028)
  • Conflict (from 750 CE)
  • Innovation and transformation (from 750 CE)
  • Authoritarian rule (from 1750 CE)
  • Popular movements (from 1750 CE)
Unit 6 (HL)
Regional Study (from 2028)
  • Africa and the Middle East
  • The Americas
  • Asia and Oceania
  • Europe

How lessons approach History

Understanding the concepts, and answering the papers the way the markscheme rewards.

Conceptual Understanding
Deep mastery of core concepts
  • Focus on causation, consequence, and significance
  • Develop strong chronological knowledge
  • Understand different historical perspectives
  • Practice source analysis regularly
Exam-Specific Techniques
Targeted preparation for IB assessments
  • Practice Paper 1 source analysis technique
  • Structure essays with clear arguments
  • Know historiographical debates
  • Master the IA investigation format

Past papers and markschemes

IB History past papers, used in lessons alongside the questions from your own school.

How marks are won in History

1
Use specific historical evidence
2
Engage with different interpretations
3
Structure arguments clearly
4
Practice source evaluation methodology
5
Know Paper 3 content deeply (HL)

IB History: lessons, prices and how to start

One-to-one lessons are 90 minutes, live online. Prices are set per program, so they are the same for every IB Diploma subject.

IB History one-to-one tutoring packages
Single lesson$100Per lesson: $100Buy a lesson
10 lessons$970Per lesson: $97Buy package
20 lessonsLowest rate$1,900Per lesson: $95Buy package

Group options

IB group teaching runs as three programs, priced by the number of subjects you take, in groups of at most 6:

IA, EE and TOK supervision is one-to-one, from $100 for a single lesson.

How do you start?

Request a free consultation: it is a conversation about your goals and timeline, not a lesson or a test. There is no separate diagnostic test for IB Diploma, because no single test stands in for a school syllabus. The first lesson does the assessment: your tutor works through your recent marked work and past-paper questions from your own specification, and reads where you stand. It is a normal paid lesson, not a free trial, and it teaches as it assesses.

Request a free consultation

Refunds

Not satisfied after your first private lesson? Full (100%) refund. No score is guaranteed. Full terms.

Every IB Diploma priceAll IB Diploma subjects

IB History — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between IB History SL and HL?
Standard Level: SL covers a prescribed subject and two world history topics for 2027 exams, or a focused study and a thematic study from 2028, plus a historical investigation, in 150 hours. Higher Level: HL adds a regional option (a depth study for 2027 exams, a regional study from 2028) assessed in Paper 3, in 240 hours. The choice matters for university admission as much as for workload — many courses require the subject at HL specifically.
How is IB History assessed?
Externally assessed: Paper 1 (SL: 30% / HL: 20% (both guides)), Paper 2 (2027 exams: SL 45%, HL 25%; from 2028: SL 40%, HL 25%), Paper 3 (HL) (HL: 35% (both guides)). Internally assessed: Historical Investigation (2027 exams: SL 25%, HL 20%; from 2028: SL 30%, HL 20%). The internal assessment is marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB, and because it is completed over months rather than in an exam hall it is the component students most often leave too late.
What topics does IB History cover?
The syllabus covers 6 topics: Prescribed Subject (2027 exams), World History Topics (2027 exams), HL Depth Study (2027 exams), Focused Study (from 2028), Thematic Study (from 2028) and 1 more. Lessons follow your school's order, so tutoring supports your class rather than running alongside it.
Does IB History count for university credit?
May grant credit for introductory history courses. Recognition varies by university and usually applies to Higher Level only, so check the policy of each institution you are applying to.
Where does IB History lead?
It is commonly taken by students heading towards Academia, Law, Journalism, Museum Studies and 4 more. If your intended degree lists the subject as a requirement, taking it at Higher Level is usually what admissions expects.