Diploma Programme geography
SL and HL curriculum
(first teaching September 2017)
SL teaching hours
SL assessment
(first assessment May 2019)
HL teaching hours
HL assessment
(first assessment May 2019)
Part one
Geographic themes — seven options
Two options are studied at SL, and three at HL
Freshwater—drainage basins
Oceans and coastal margins
Extreme environments
Geophysical hazards
Leisure, tourism and sport
Food and health
Urban environments
60 hours
Paper 1
SL weight 35%
45 minutes per option question
Total 1 hour 30 minutes
Each option has a structured question and one extended answer question from a choice of two.
20 (10 + 10) marks per option
Total 40 marks
90 hours
Paper 1
HL weight 35%
45 minutes per option question
Total 2 hours 15 minutes
Each option has a structured question and one extended answer question from a choice of two.
20 (10 + 10) marks per option
Total 60 marks
Part two
SL and HL core
Geographic perspectives —global change
Population distributio n—changing population
Global climate —vulnerability and resilience
Global resource consumption and security
70 hours
Paper 2
SL weight 40%
Total 1 hour 15 minutes Paper 2 Section A
Three structured questions, based on each SL/HL core unit
30 marks Paper 2 Section B
Infographic or visual stimulus, with structured questions
10 marks Paper 2 Section C
One extended answer question from a choice of two
10 marks
Total 50 marks
70 hours
Paper 2
HL weight 25%
Total 1 hour 15 minutes Paper 2 Section A
Three structured questions, based on each SL/HL core unit
30 marks Paper 2 Section B
Infographic or visual stimulus, with structured questions
10 marks Paper 2 Section C
One extended answer question from a choice of two
10 marks
Total 50 marks
Part two HL core extension
HL only
Geographic perspectives —global interactions
Power, places and networks
Human development and diversity
Global risks and resilience
60 hours
Paper 3
HL weight 20%
Total 1 hour
Choice of three extended answer questions, with two parts, based on each HL core unit
28 marks
Part A—12 marks
Part B—16 marks
Total examination time
2 hours 45 minutes
4 hours 30 minutes
Internal assessment
SL and HL
Fieldwork
Fieldwork, leading to one written report based on a fieldwork question, information collection and analysis with evaluation
20 hours
Internal assessment
SL weight 25%
Fieldwork question to be based on any suitable topic from the syllabus
Total 25 marks
20 hours
Internal assessment
HL weight 20%
Fieldwork question to be based on any suitable topic from the syllabus
Total 25 marks
IB Learner Profile and Rules and regulations of the Lesson
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There are four assessment objectives (AOs) for the SL and HL Diploma Programme geography course
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of specified content
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the core theme—patterns and change
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of two optional themes at SL and three optional themes at HL
At HL only, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the HL extension—global interactions
In internal assessment, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a specific geographic research topic
2. Demonstrate application and analysis of knowledge and understanding
Apply and analyse geographic concepts and theories
Identify and interpret geographic patterns and processes in unfamiliar information, data and cartographic material
Demonstrate the extent to which theories and concepts are recognized and understood in particular contexts
3. Demonstrate synthesis and evaluation
Examine and evaluate geographic concepts, theories and perceptions
Use geographic concepts and examples to formulate and present an argument
Evaluate materials using methodology appropriate for geographic fieldwork
At HL only, demonstrate synthesis and evaluation of the HL extension–global interactions
4. Select, use and apply a variety of appropriate skills and techniques
Select, use and apply the prescribed geographic skills in appropriate contexts
Produce well‑structured written material, using appropriate terminology
Select, use and apply techniques and skills appropriate to a geographic research question
Further guidance on IB approaches
Use of case studies and examples
Case studies and examples must be used where appropriate to illustrate content.
A case study is a detailed, located example for discussion or a discursive approach. Ideally, case studies
selected should be recent; that is, they should have occurred within the student’s lifetime and should not
be historical. The use of historical case studies could lead to students losing marks. For example, using the
destruction of Pompeii as an example of volcanic destruction is not recommended.
Geographic models
Students can study models to illustrate concepts relevant to particular topics but examination questions will
not require students to have prior knowledge of any specific model.
Use of maps and diagrams
Students are expected to include well‑drawn, large, relevant maps, sketches, tables and diagrams as often
as applicable. Only metric maps will be used for examinations.
Annotated maps
Examination questions frequently refer to “annotated maps”. Annotating maps requires students to include
comments on the map itself and to place these comments in the relevant locations. Comments must not be
written separately below the map.
Use of calculators
Calculators are not allowed in IB geography examinations.
Develop a critical awareness and consider complexity thinking in the context of the nexus of geographic issues, including:
Acquiring an in-depth understanding of how geographic issues, or wicked problems, have been shaped by powerful human and physical processes.
Synthesizing diverse geographic knowledge in order to form viewpoints about how these issues could be resolved.
Understand and evaluate the need for planning and sustainable development through the management of resources at varying scales.
There are four assessment objectives (AOs) for the SL and HL Diploma Programme geography course:
Click here to know more about the structure of the New Geography Courses from 2019 onwards from the IBO official link