IB History is tricky for students. Every student’s dream is to Master IB History paper 1. This exam requires good content knowledge and excellent analytical skills. In this article, Our IB Tutors will teach you the strategies to secure A7 in IB History paper 1.
Master IB History Paper 1
This exam covers the syllabus, which includes topics from the 20th century. There will be four questions to attempt. Students analyze and evaluate many historical sources, including photographs, official documents, speeches, and cartoons. Here is a little description of the question type.
Question 1: This question is about comprehension and extraction of information from sources. It has five marks. Sources and information are provided, and students frame their answers based on their content knowledge.
Question 2: This question is about the evaluation of the message and purpose of the sources. It contains four marks.
Question 3: In this question, students compare the sources in the question paper. It is worth six marks and requires detailed descriptions of the comparison of sources.
Question 4: This question is about students who have knowledge and understanding. It is written as a mini-essay, and students give their reasons using their critical thinking skills.
Steps to Master IB History Paper 1
first Step: Master the Content with our IB History Tutors
- Know your prescribed topics: History requires good content knowledge. You should cover all the critical issues in Paper 1, such as authoritarian States, conflicts, and international relations.
- Use historical context: You should be able to summarise the given text and understand it deeply. You should relate that topic with the topics of related historical events.
- Memorize key facts: It is essential to memorize all the important dates, trees, leaders, and ideologies.
Second Step: Effective analysis of the sources
- Identifying the source type and checking whether it is a primary or secondary document is essential.
- You should understand the origin of the sources and when and why they were created. It’s essential to check the reliability of the source.
- Collect information about the source, as this will help you give suitable examples in your answers.
Third Step Master the Marking Criteria:
- Different strategies are needed for all four questions. For question 1, you must carefully write the exact answer the question demands. There is no need to measure unnecessary details.
- For question two, try to find out the purpose of the source and explain why the author created it. You can also convey the message the source has given.
- Question 3 concerns a comparison between two sources. You should frame your answer with a description of the information related to both sources.
- Question 4 is like a short essay. It contains nine marks.
- Remember that your answer should be concise and to the point.
- Do not apply your opinion to the questions about factual information. You should only mention the necessary facts.
- Give evidence for your answer. For example, you can provide details about the sources to support your answer.
Step 4: Time Management
- It’s essential to utilize time wisely during the IB history exams. Do not give much time to 1 question only. You should divide your time as per the answer required. Give 5 to 7 minutes to question number 1 because this question requires a concise explanation. The second question is lengthy, so you should give 10 minutes to question 2 and 15 minutes to question number 3. The last question will take 20- 25 minutes.
- You should be very careful about the time limit, so if you can, bring your watch.
Step 5: Practice and Review
- You can get help from past year’s question papers to practice for the IB history exam. You can also understand the marking scheme with the help of past year’s question papers. Do regular practice and try to improve your mistakes.
- Do regular practice and compare your preparation with your previous answers.
- You can ask your teachers for help or find higher IB history tutors. These tutors are also available online.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Our IB Online Tutors suggest to remember a few things while answering the questions. Avoid these mistakes, as they can affect your final score.
- Do not try to misinterpret the sources. Always mention the information about the source that you are sure about.
- Do not make your answers complicated by giving unnecessary context. You should mention the courts and evidence from the source.
- It is also essential to be careful about the historical event and context. You should have detailed knowledge about the content of paper 1. This, too, can happen only with regular practice.
- Always check the reliability of the source before mentioning it in your answers.
- Some answers require analysis, and you should not skip the analysis of the source if necessary.
- Don’t forget to support your answers with good evidence.
- Your answers should reflect the descriptive form of writing. It should not reflect the argument.
- You should be aware of history and current affairs. Become interested in society’s issues. This will help you comprehend the source accurately.
Conclusion:
Getting a seven in IB History Paper 1 is not impossible if proper preparation is done with the right mindset. You should control your stress and anxiety. Read the questions carefully and then apply your knowledge and skills in your answers. Since you have already prepared the content and are continuously practicing, worrying about the IB history exam is unnecessary.
