Paper 2

This paper is an essay paper, with two (SL) or three (HL) questions set on each of the four core units. The same paper is set at both SL and HL. SL students must answer two questions, each selected from a different unit. HL students must answer three questions, each selected from a different unit.

Duration:

• 1 hour 45 minutes at SL - which means 52.5 minutes of writing time per paper (not including planning)

• 2 hours and 45 minutes at HL - which means 55 minutes of writing time per paper (again, not including planning)

IB Weighting: 45% at SL; 40% at HL

Marks: The maximum mark for this paper is 50 marks at SL and 75 marks at HL. The paper is marked using generic markbands and a paper-specific markscheme. The questions in this paper assesses students ability to synthesize and evaluate.

This paper is an essay paper, with two (SL) or three (HL) questions set on each of the four core units. At least one of the questions for each unit is firmly anchored in that unit, whereas the second question may open up for a more cross-unit approach. See a sample exam and markscheme here.

Conceptual understanding and ability to work with the key concepts of the course is particularly important in this paper. Some questions use the key concepts of that particular unit. Still other questions draw on key concepts from several units. Even where the key concepts are not explicitly mentioned in a question, students should demonstrate a conceptual understanding of global politics. In their answers, students are invited to draw on their understanding of any relevant political concepts, depending on the arguments they put forward.

Marks are awarded for demonstrating understanding of relevant political concepts and prescribed content, making reference to specific relevant examples, justifying points and exploring and evaluating counterclaims, or different views on the question.