Is IB History Hard? What to Expect and How to Succeed

Key Takeaways

• IB History is challenging but absolutely manageable with the right approach and study techniques

• Success depends on critical thinking, time management, and consistent practice rather than just memorising facts

• Higher Level (HL) students face additional challenges with Paper 3 and more in-depth content requirements

• The Internal Assessment (IA) requires independent research skills and careful planning

• Using structured revision resources and practising past papers makes a huge difference to your results

Introduction

Thinking about taking IB History? Or maybe you're already in the course and wondering what you've got yourself into?

You're definitely not alone in asking, "Is IB History hard?" At SaveMyExams, we often see students asking this type of question when considering their IB subject choices.

IB History can be challenging, but it's absolutely doable when you know what to expect and how to tackle it properly.

This article is for anyone who wants a realistic picture of what IB History involves. Whether you're choosing your subjects or already studying and looking for ways to improve, we'll break down exactly what makes the course tough and give you practical strategies to succeed.

We'll cover everything from the different papers you'll face to the skills you need to develop, plus loads of study tips that actually work.

What Makes IB History Challenging?

Breadth and Depth of Content

IB History covers a massive amount of material. You'll study different historical periods, regions, and themes depending on your chosen topics.

The course is split into different papers that each focus on different areas:

• Paper 1: Source-based questions based on the prescribed subjects (30% of the final grade for SL students, 20% for HL students)

• Paper 2: Essay questions based on world history topics (45% for SL students, 25% for HL students).

• Paper 3 (HL only): Essay questions based on one of the regional options (35% of the final grade for HL students).

The sheer volume of content means you can't just memorise everything. You need to understand connections between events, causes and consequences, and different historical perspectives. Standard Level students study fewer topics than Higher Level, but they still need to know their chosen areas really well.

Want to know more about how IB History is structured? Check out our learning hub article “What is IB History?: Overview for Students.”

Source Analysis Skills

Paper 1 is all about analysing historical sources, such as photographs, speeches, propaganda posters, or diary entries.

You need to work out what the author's purpose was, how reliable the information is, and what the source reveals about the time period.

Many students find this tricky because it requires detective-like thinking. You're looking for clues about bias, limitations, and hidden meanings. You may also have never seen the source before, which means you cannot pre-prepare for the type of source you will need to analyse under time pressure.

Essay Writing Under Time Pressure

Papers 2 and 3 are essay-based, and time management is crucial.

In Paper 2, you typically have 90 minutes to write two essays. That's 45 minutes per essay, including planning and reviewing time. Your essays need clear arguments, specific historical evidence, and balanced analysis. You can't just tell the story - you need to argue a point and back it up with facts.

Higher Level students face the additional challenge of Paper 3, which requires even more detailed knowledge of their chosen regional topic.

Many students struggle with structuring essays quickly and remembering specific examples under pressure. With practice, this demand becomes much more manageable.

The Internal Assessment (IA)

The IA is a 2,200-word historical investigation (opens in a new tab) that you complete independently.

You choose your own research question, find a variety of sources, and evaluate different historical perspectives on your chosen topic.

This sounds exciting, but it's quite demanding. You need to pick a topic that's specific enough to research properly but broad enough to find different viewpoints. The evaluation section is particularly challenging. You need to assess the value and limitations of two key sources for your investigation.

Time management is crucial because you're doing this alongside all your other subjects. Many students underestimate how long good research takes.

How Does IB History Compare to Other IB Subjects?

IB History is generally considered less demanding than subjects like Higher Level Maths or Physics, which require more complex problem-solving skills.

However, it's often seen as more challenging than subjects like Business Management or Environmental Systems, which have less content to master.

IB History is comparable to IB Geography. In May 2024 (opens in a new tab), to achieve an excellent pass (Grade 7), SL students needed a minimum of 73% of the marks. For HL students, this was 75%. This was similar to the percentage required for a Grade 7 in IB Geography.

In my experience of teaching History, students often find the reading required the hardest part of studying the subject. You'll be working through textbooks, primary sources, and supplementary materials regularly and will have to demonstrate these skills under exam pressure.

Remember, difficulty is subjective. If you enjoy reading, writing, and thinking about how events connect, you might find History easier than someone who prefers numbers and formulas.

What Skills Do You Need to Succeed in IB History?

Critical Thinking and Argumentation

IB History requires you to think like a historian. This means questioning sources, weighing up different explanations for events, and forming your own judgements based on evidence.

Good historians don't just accept what they read. They ask why something happened, who benefited, and what the consequences were. In your essays, you'll need to present clear arguments and consider different perspectives on historical debates.

From my experience teaching History, students are best prepared to enter higher education by developing their critical thinking and debating skills during their studies.

Source Evaluation and Research

Paper 1 demands strong source analysis skills, and the IA requires independent research abilities. Research skills involve finding reliable information, taking good notes, and organising your findings effectively. 

Learning to work out the key messages of sources, understanding context, and evaluating reliability takes practice but becomes easier over time.

Research skills are essential for university students, where you will be expected to write dissertations based on your own research. Therefore, IB History is a fantastic course to take to prepare you for this next step.

Essay Planning and Time Management

Quick essay planning is essential for exam success. You need to structure arguments logically, include specific examples, and write clearly under time pressure.

Good time management means allocating enough time for planning, writing, and checking your work.

Regular essay practice helps you get faster and more confident with structuring historical arguments. Complete practice questions under timed conditions as much as possible to best prepare yourself.

How to Make IB History Easier: Study Tips That Work

Start with the Syllabus

Your IB History syllabus is your roadmap to success. Don't ignore it. The syllabus breaks down exactly what topics you need to know and what skills you'll be tested on, especially if you are an SL (opens in a new tab) or HL (opens in a new tab) student. 

Use the syllabus to create your revision schedule and make sure you're covering everything systematically.

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

Use Model Essays and Mark Schemes

Reading and annotating high-quality example essays shows you what examiners are looking for. Pay attention to how good essays structure their arguments, use evidence, and address the question directly. Ask your teacher to provide you with model examples that scored highly.

Mark schemes reveal exactly how points are awarded and what language gets you the highest grades. Use them to self-assess your own answers and improve your exam skills.

Explore more ways to use past papers in your IB History revision.

Build a Source Analysis Toolkit

As a History teacher, I know the importance of teaching students a systematic approach to tackling source questions.

Always start by identifying the source type, author, date, and intended audience. Look for language that reveals bias, purpose, or limitations in the source. Spend at least 5 minutes reading, annotating and understanding the source before you start writing.

Practice comparing sources and using them to support historical arguments until it becomes second nature.

Manage Your Time with a Revision Schedule

Consistent, regular study beats last-minute cramming every time.

Create a revision timetable that covers all your topics multiple times before exams. Break big topics into smaller, manageable chunks that you can tackle in 30-45 minute study sessions.

Leave time for essay practice and past paper work. These are crucial for exam success.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to be good at writing to do well in IB History?

Strong writing skills definitely help to achieve strong grades in IB History. The most important thing is a clear, logical argument structure rather than fancy vocabulary or complex sentences.

Many students improve their writing significantly during the course by practising regularly and following good essay frameworks.

Focus on making your points clearly and backing them up with specific historical evidence.

How can I prepare for IB History before starting the course?

• Start reading about your chosen topics during the summer holidays if possible.

• Get familiar with key events, dates, and historical figures in your Paper 1 and Paper 2 topics.

• Practice reading and analysing different types of sources, such as newspapers, photographs, speeches, and documents.

• Develop your general essay-writing skills and learn to structure arguments clearly.

What's the hardest part of IB History?

In my experience, many students find the source analysis the most challenging. The skills needed for evaluating sources and making inferences take time to develop properly.

Time management in essay papers is another common struggle, especially for students who haven't practised enough. The IA can be overwhelming because of the independent research requirements, but good planning makes it much more manageable.

Final Thoughts

IB History is definitely challenging, but thousands of students succeed in it every year. In 2024 (opens in a new tab), both SL and HL History students had to gain a minimum of 49% of the marks to achieve a Good pass (Grade 5). 

The key is understanding what the course demands and developing the right skills systematically rather than just trying to memorise everything. 

Remember, you're not just learning facts. You're developing critical thinking skills that will serve you well in university and beyond.

Success comes from regular practice, good time management, and using the right study resources to guide your preparation. With consistent effort and the right approach, you can not only pass IB History but actually enjoy the fascinating topics you'll explore.

Explore Our IB Revision Resources

References:

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