IB Global Politics Paper 3 Summary Guide (HL Only)
- Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Sections: One (stimulus-based with four questions)
- Question breakdown: You must answer Questions 1, 2a, 2b, and 3
- Total marks: 28 marks
- Weighting: 30% of HL final grade
Exam technique
- Purpose of Paper 3:
- Based on HL extension: Global Political Challenges
- Focus on stimulus analysis + knowledge of political concepts and case studies
- You must demonstrate:
- Understanding of core and extension topics
- Analytical thinking
- Relevant examples from researched case studies
Note
- HL Topic Areas (Global Political Challenges):
- Borders
- Security
- Environment
- Health
- Identity
- Technology
- Equality
- Poverty
Question 1 (3 marks)
- Command terms: distinguish, explain, analyse, suggest
- Requires: Analysis of stimulus + reference to at least 1-2 case studies
- Tip: If asked to "distinguish," focus on differences, not just definitions
Example
- Distinguish between transnational and intergovernmental political processes using at least two examples
Exam technique
- Be accurate and specific
- Explain why examples are relevant (not just listing them)
Question 2a (4 marks)
- Focuses on a political issue from one of your researched case studies
- Must reference specific actors, causes, impacts
- Command terms: analyse, explain, distinguish, suggest
Exam technique
- Success Criteria:
- Directly address the question
- Analyze the political issue clearly
- Use precise and accurate knowledge
- Show how elements (actors, consequences, developments) interrelate
Example
- Explain the involvement of three types of actors in a political issue from one of your researched case studies
Question 2b (6 marks)
- Builds on 2a by requiring a recommendation
- Command term: recommend = propose a solution backed with evidence
- Requirements:
- Clear and well-supported recommendation
- Link directly to the political issue
- Identify relevant actors and stakeholders
- Consider possible implications or unintended consequences
- Guiding Questions:
- What similar solutions have worked elsewhere?
- What has been proposed before? Why did/didn’t it work?
- What theory supports your proposal?
- Are frameworks already in place?
Example
- Recommend a course of action that would increase the influence of a specific non-state actor
Question 3 (15 marks)
- Requires synthesis and evaluation
- Draw connections across at least two HL topic areas
- Must refer to one or more researched case studies
- Focus on interconnectedness of global political challenges
- Guiding Questions:
- How are two or more challenges connected?
- What contradictions or linkages exist?
- What frameworks/mechanisms address these issues?
- How does a specific case show interconnectedness?
Exam technique
- Success Criteria:
- Use case study first or global challenge first structure, but always make explicit links.
- Fully address the question and its implications
- Clear and balanced structure
- Coherent, justified, and evaluated arguments
- Deep knowledge with developed examples
- Consider multiple perspectives
Example
- Examine the links between at least two HL topic areas using one of your researched case studies
Tip
- 5 Final Tips for Paper 3:
- Allocate time based on mark weight (e.g. ~40 mins for Q3)
- Plan before writing: save time and stay focused
- Focus on command terms: define and follow them closely
- Don’t just list case study facts: explain why and how they matter
- Always articulate links between case studies, topic areas, and political challenges clearly
