The History Internal Assessment (IA) is a compulsory component of the IB History course at both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL).
It is designed to assess a student’s ability to carry out an independent historical investigation using appropriate historical methods, source evaluation, and analytical reasoning.
Unlike written examination papers, the IA allows students to:
Select their own topic
Formulate their own research question
Choose and evaluate their own sources
Construct a sustained historical argument
Note
The IA therefore assesses skills that cannot be fully tested under timed examination conditions.
1.2 Assessment Weighting and Strategic Importance
Level
IA Weighting
SL
25% of final grade
HL
20% of final grade
Because the IA contributes a significant proportion of the final grade, it represents an opportunity to secure marks independently of examination performance.
Poor performance in the IA cannot be compensated for easily in exams.
1.3 Nature of the History IA
Note
The History IA is a written investigation, not a narrative account of events. Its focus is analysis, evaluation, and historical judgement.
Key characteristics:
Maximum word count: 2,200 words
Independently researched and written
Source-based
Structured according to IB-prescribed sections
Note
Like all other IAs, the History IA is first marked by your teacher. That score is then externally moderated by the IB.
1.4 Required Sections of the History IA
Note
All History IAs must include the following sections. Any deviation from this structure risks loss of marks.
Research question
Section 1: Identification and Evaluation of Sources
Section 2: Investigation
Section 3: Reflection
Bibliography
1.5 Word Count Requirements
Section
Suggested Word Allocation
Marks
Identification and evaluation of sources
400-450
6
Investigation
1,300-1,400
15
Reflection
350-400
4
Bibliography
N/A
N/A
Total
2,200 words
25
Common Mistake
If the word count is exceeded, examiners are not required to read beyond the limit.
1.6 Individual Work and Collaboration Rules
Note
The History IA must be an individual investigation into (at the risk of stating the obvious) history.
Aspect
Permitted
Group research
No
Shared analysis
No
Shared drafts
No
Shared sources
Yes
Teacher feedback
One draft only
Note
Students may discuss ideas informally, but all research, analysis, and writing must be their own.
1.7 Choosing an Appropriate Topic
The IB allows free choice of topic, provided it meets the following conditions:
The event occurred more than 10 years ago
There is sufficient historical evidence available
The topic allows for analysis and debate
Examples of general areas which you can investigate
Category
Example
Political history
Wartime politics and policies
Social history
Impact of war on civilians
Cultural history
Propaganda, art, film
Local history
A town, institution, or site
Economic history
Trade, industrial policy
Intellectual history
Ideologies and ideas
1.8 Research Question Fundamentals
Tip
The research question determines success across all assessment criteria.
Characteristics of an Effective Research Question
An effective question:
Is focused and specific
Encouragesanalysis rather than description
Allows evaluation of evidence
Is answerable within the word limit
Ineffective vs Effective Questions
Ineffective Question
Issue
What happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Descriptive
Why was World War II important?
Vague
What were the causes of apartheid?
Too broad
Improved Question
Why It Works
To what extent did Kennedy’s naval blockade influence the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Focused, analytical
To what extent did economic factors contribute to the introduction of apartheid in South Africa between 1948 and 1953?
Clear scope
1.9 Sources in the History IA
Note
The History IA is source-driven. Every claim must be supported by historical evidence.
Primary vs Secondary Sources
Source type
Content
Examples
Primary sources
Direct evidence from the period/eyewitness evidence
Speeches, letters, diaries
Secondary sources
Subsequent Interpretation and analysis of the event
Textbooks, subsequent historical commentary
1.10 What You Can Get from Different Source Types
Official Documents
Examples
What they provide
Limitations
Government reports, laws and decrees, and policy memoranda.
Official intentions and priorities, government perspectives, and policy justifications.
Potentially biased depending on governmental objectives, and may omit failures or opposition.
Newspapers
Examples
What they provide
Limitations
The Guardian, New York Times, BBC, CNN, The Times
Contemporary reactions, Public discourse
Political alignment, Censorship, Potential propaganda and bias
Personal Accounts
Examples
What they provide
Limitations
Diaries, Letters, Memoirs
Individual experiences, Emotional perspective, Insight into daily life
Highly subjective and therefore potentially biased, Limited scope
Speeches
What they provide
Limitations
Political messaging, Intended audience reaction
Performative
Photographs and Visual Sources
What they provide
Limitations
Visual evidence, Propaganda techniques, Representation of events
Staged or selective, May require contextual knowledge of circumstances under which photo was taken
1.11 Source Quality and Selection
Strong Sources
Weak Sources
Academic historians
Unverified websites
Archival documents
Revision blogs
Peer-reviewed journals
AI summaries
University presses
Anonymous articles
1.12 Academic Honesty
Note
All ideas, evidence, and quotations must be referenced.
Plagiarism results in severe penalties.
Requirement
Explanation
Referencing
All sources cited
Consistency
One citation style
Authenticity
Student's own work
1.13 Referencing Systems
Reference systems commonly used include::
MLA
Harvard
APA
Note
The IB does not favour one citation system over another.
Schools tend to require you to use a particular style. If in doubt over citations, consult your teacher or school librarian.
1.14 Common Early-Stage Errors
Error
Impact
Broad topic
Weak analysis
Narrative writing
Low marks
Poor source choice
Weak evaluation
Ignoring criteria
Lost marks
Internal Assessment
View Exemplars
And thousands of other examples from high-scoring students.
