How to Get a 7 in IB History

Getting a 7 in IB History is tough, but it's absolutely achievable. Only a small percentage of students reach this top grade each year. In May 2024 (opens in a new tab), students were required to achieve a score of over 75% in History for a Level 7.

But here's the good news: a 7 isn't about memorising every date or regurgitating facts. It's about showing examiners you can think critically, analyse sources like a historian, and craft effectivearguments under pressure.

This guide breaks down exactly what you need to do to smash each paper and your Internal Assessment. We'll cover what examiners are looking for, how to revise smartly, and the mistakes that hold students back from top marks.

Understand the IB History Assessment Structure

Before you can aim for a 7, you need to know what exams you are required to take. IB History assesses you through multiple papers, each testing different skills.

Your final grade comes from a combination of Papers 1, 2, and (if you're studying HL) Paper 3, plus your Internal Assessment.

For more information about what IB History entails, please read our What is IB History: Overview for Students guide.

Paper 1

Paper 1 is all about your ability to work with historical sources. You'll be given four or five sources (documents, images, speeches) and asked questions that test how well you can evaluate them.

This isn't just about saying what the source shows. You need to analyse its origin, purpose, and limitations. High-level answers dig deep into context and consider how reliable each source is for answering specific questions.

According to the IB History guide (opens in a new tab), Paper 1 tests both your source analysis skills and your broader understanding of the prescribed subject.

Teacher tip: Practise using past paper sources under timed conditions. Set yourself 1 hour and work through a full Paper 1. Afterwards, mark it using the official mark scheme to see where you're losing marks.

Paper 2

Paper 2 focuses on comparative, thematic essays. You'll choose one question from your chosen topic (like causes of war, authoritarian states, or independence movements) and write an essay comparing at least two examples from different regions.

For a Level 7 essay, you need strong comparative analysis, a clear thematic structure, and evidence of historiography. This means referencing what historians have said about your topic.

Examiners want to see you constantly comparing rather than describing one case study, then another. Your paragraphs should weave examples together around themes like ideology, economic factors, or international context.

Teacher tip: Create thematic notes for your chosen topics. For each theme, list specific examples from different regions and add historians' interpretations. Build timeline comparisons so you can see patterns across case studies.

Paper 3 (HL Only)

If you're doing Higher Level, Paper 3 tests your detailed knowledge of one specific history topic in much greater depth than Paper 2.

The key difference? Paper 3 demands more factual recall and specific evidence. You need dates, names, events, and precise details to back up your arguments.

Your essay structure stays similar to Paper 2, but the depth of content must be significantly stronger.

Teacher tip: For HL students, dedicate extra revision time to Paper 3 content. Create detailed fact sheets for each section of your chosen topic, including key dates, figures, and turning points.

Internal Assessment (IA): Coursework

Your IA is worth 25% of your final grade, so it's a huge opportunity to secure marks when you are not under exam pressure.

The IA is a 2,200-word historical investigation (opens in a new tab). You pick your own research question, investigate it using a range of sources, evaluate two sources in detail, and reflect on your methods.

The IB assesses your IA across four criteria (opens in a new tab): Identification and focus (6 marks), Investigation and analysis (15 marks), Reflection and evaluation (9 marks), and Presentation (4 marks).

Teacher tip: Choose a focused, specific question. "Why did World War I start?" is too broad. "To what extent was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand the main cause of Austria-Hungary's declaration of war in July 1914?" is much better. Also, pick a topic you're genuinely interested in. You'll be spending months researching it so you need to keep motivated.

What Examiners Look For in a Level 7 Answer

Understanding what separates a 6 from a 7 is crucial. Let's dig into exactly what examiners want to see.

Command terms and essay structure

Command terms are the instruction words in exam questions: evaluate, discuss, compare, to what extent, and so on.

According to IB command term definitions (opens in a new tab), "evaluate" means weighing up evidence to reach a supported judgment, whilst "discuss" means offering a balanced review of different arguments.

For a Level 7, your structure should look like this:

• Introduction: Define key terms, set out your argument clearly, and signpost what's coming

• Body paragraphs (3-4 recommended): Each paragraph should focus on one clear point, use specific evidence, and link back to the question

• Conclusion: Reach a nuanced judgment that weighs up the arguments you've presented

Never just describe events chronologically. Answer the question directly from the very first sentence.

Use of evidence and historiography

Generic claims won't get you a 7. You need specific, precise evidence and names.

Don't write: "Historians disagree about the causes of the war."

Do write: "Historian Fritz Fischer argues German aggression was the primary cause, whilst A.J.P. Taylor emphasises the role of railway timetables in escalating the crisis."

Build a "bank" of named historians for each topic. Aim for at least 3-5 historians whose interpretations you can reference in essays.

Critical thinking and balance

A Level 7 answer shows sophisticated historical thinking. This means considering multiple perspectives, weighing evidence carefully, and acknowledging complexity.

Don't present one-sided arguments. Always evaluate counter-arguments and explain why your overall judgment still holds.

For example, if arguing that economic factors were the main cause of a revolution, acknowledge political and social factors too, then explain why economics still deserves priority.

Revision Strategies to Secure a 7

Smart revision separates good students from great ones. Here's how to revise for maximum impact.

Build revision notes around the syllabus

Don't just rewrite your class notes. Reorganise everything by theme, region, and paper.

For Paper 2, create thematic comparison charts. For Paper 3, build detailed timelines with causes, events, and consequences clearly separated.

Use active revision methods: flashcards for historians and dates, mind maps for linking themes, and practice essay plans to structure your thinking.

Need help developing your revision timetable? Read our Learning Hub article on how to manage your time when revising.

Work With Model Essays

Reading Level 7 model essays shows you what excellence actually looks like.

Find model essays from your teacher or online and break them down. Highlight where the argument appears, how evidence is used, and how the essay maintains focus on the question.

Then try rewriting model essays from memory under timed conditions. This trains you to replicate that quality under pressure.

For more tips and tricks on the best strategies for revising IB History, check out our article on the Learning Hub.

Get Feedback and Reflect

You can't improve without knowing what needs fixing. Show your practice essays to teachers or classmates and ask for specific feedback.

Keep a reflective journal tracking what you're improving and what still needs work. After each practice essay, note down one thing you did well and one thing to focus on next time.

Common Mistakes That Stop Students Getting a 7

Even strong students make these errors. Avoid them and you'll instantly boost your grade.

Rote memorisation without analysis: Listing facts doesn't get you a 7. Examiners want to see you using evidence to build arguments, not just showing off what you remember.

Poor time management in exams: Running out of time and leaving your conclusion unfinished costs marks. Practise timed essays until you can consistently finish with 5 minutes to spare.

Overuse of generic phrases without argument development: Phrases like "there were many factors" or "historians disagree" are meaningless without specific detail. Always name your factors and your historians.

Failing to answer the question directly: The biggest killer of high grades. Every paragraph should link clearly back to what the question actually asks. Don't just write everything you know about the topic.

Read our article on IB grades to understand more about what is needed to achieve a Grade 7 overall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to get a 7 in IB History without doing HL?

Yes, absolutely. Standard Level students can achieve a 7. The assessment criteria are the same; you just have one fewer paper to worry about.

Focus on smashing Papers 1 and 2, and producing an outstanding IA. Many SL students actually find it easier to reach a 7 because they can concentrate their revision more intensely on fewer topics.

How much time should I spend revising for IB History per week?

It depends on how far you are from your exams. In your final term, aim for 8-10 hours per week if you're targeting a 7.

That might sound like a lot, but break it down: 2-3 practice essays, 2-3 hours on content revision, 1-2 hours on source practice, and time reviewing feedback.

Quality matters more than quantity. Focused, active revision beats passive rereading every time.

Do I need to memorise exact quotes from historians?

No. Examiners don't expect word-perfect quotations. What they want is evidence that you understand different historical interpretations.

It's enough to write something like "Historian Richard Evans argues that Hitler's rise was not inevitable but resulted from specific political miscalculations in 1932-33."

Focus on understanding the argument, not memorising exact wording.

Final Thoughts

A 7 in IB History is absolutely within your reach if you approach it strategically. It's not about being the smartest student in your class. It’s about mastering exam technique, revising intelligently, and showing examiners you can think like a historian.

Focus on three things: understanding what each paper tests, practising under exam conditions, and constantly refining your work based on feedback.

Remember, the difference between a 6 and a 7 often comes down to focus, precision, and sophisticated argument structure. Master those, and you'll be celebrating that 7 when results day arrives.

Explore Our IB Revision Resources

References:

May 2024 Grade Boundaries.pdf (opens in a new tab)

history-sl-2020-eng.pdf (opens in a new tab)

history-hl-2020-eng.pdf (opens in a new tab)

Diploma sample exam papers - International Baccalaureate® (opens in a new tab)

7.-Internal-Assessment.pdf (opens in a new tab)