Home / IBDP History Exam HL & SL Style Questions -Paper 2- New Syllabus

IBDP History Exam HL & SL Style Questions -Paper 2- New Syllabus - 2028-2029

  1. Society and economy (750–1400)
  2. Causes and effects of medieval wars (750–1500)
  3. Dynasties and rulers (750–1500)
  4. Societies in transition (1400–1700)
  5. Early Modern states (1450–1789)
  6. Causes and effects of Early Modern wars (1500–1750)
  7. Origins, development and impact of industrialization (1750–2005)
  8. Independence movements (1800–2000)
  9. Evolution and development of democratic states (1848–2000)
  10. Authoritarian states (20th century)
  11. Causes and effects of 20th-century wars
  12. The Cold War: Superpower tensions and rivalries (20th century)

SL

  • The study of one prescribed subject from a choice of five
  • The study of two world history topics from a choice of twelve
  • A historical investigation

HL

  • The study of one prescribed subject from a choice of five
  • The study of two world history topics from a choice of twelve
  • The study of three sections from one HL regional option
  • A historical investigation

IBDP History- Assessment

SL

  • Paper 1: A source-based paper set on the prescribed subjects
  • Paper 2: An essay paper based on the world history topics
  • Internal assessment (IA): A historical investigation

HL

  • Paper 1: A source-based paper set on the prescribed subjects
  • Paper 2: An essay paper based on the world history topics
  • Paper 3: An essay paper on one of the four HL regional options
  • Internal assessment (IA): A historical investigation

IBDP History HL & SL Paper 2- New Syllabus - 2028 Exam

Paper 2 – SL & HL

  • Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Weighting: 40% at SL and 25% at HL
  • Total marks: 25
  • Assessment type: Short-response and essay-response questions based on the specified historical concepts and the thematic study
  • Thematic study: Students select one thematic study from a choice of four
  • Section A: Two questions are set on the specified historical concepts; students answer one question
  • Section A focus: Analyse a historical concept using a relevant historical example from the selected thematic study
  • Section B: Two questions are set for each thematic study; students choose one question and answer both parts
  • Section B(a): Short-response question assessing understanding of a relevant historical example from the thematic study
  • Section B(b): Essay-response question requiring students to synthesize diverse historical examples and formulate an analytical argument
  • Historical examples: Students should use appropriate examples from more than one region, especially in essay responses
  • Key skills assessed: Analysing historical concepts, explaining relevant examples, making connections between diverse global examples and constructing analytical arguments

Thematic Study 2: Innovation and Transformation (from 750 CE onwards) — HL & SL Paper 2

Free Resources vs Full Access

Begin with selected free resources or choose Full Access for comprehensive IBDP History preparation under the new syllabus, first assessment 2028.

ResourceFree ResourcesFull Access
Topic-wise study notesSelected resourcesComplete revision support
Exam-style questionsSample questionsFull topic-wise question bank
Detailed answers and explanationsLimited accessIncluded
Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 preparationBasic resourcesComplete exam preparation
Mock tests and prediction papersLimited accessIncluded where available

Choose Your Full Access Course

Select the required examination paper or Paper 3 regional study to access complete exam-style questions and detailed explanations.

Paper 1 Focused Study HL and SL Full Access Paper 2 Thematic Study HL and SL Full Access Paper 3 Africa and the Middle East HL Regional Studies Full Access Paper 3 The Americas HL Regional Studies Full Access Paper 3 Asia and Oceania HL Regional Studies Full Access Paper 3 Europe HL Regional Studies Full Access

Complete resources to help you score higher.

Scroll to Top