Assessment overview

The 2026 IB Global politics course is assessed by internal and external components. 

Paper 1 (1 hour 15 minutes)   30%   (25 marks) 

Source-based paper that draws from the common SL and HL core topics.

Candidates answer four compulsory structured questions.

Paper 2 (1 hour 45 minutes)   40%   (30 marks)

Extended response paper based on the common SL and HL thematic studies.

Candidates must answer two questions: one essay from section A (comprising questions from each of the thematic studies) and one essay from section B (comprising integrating questions).

Internal assessment (25 hours)   30%    (24 marks)

Called the engagement project, this component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.

Engagement with a political issue chosen by the candidate—this requires preparatory research, planning, active engagement, and complementary research and reflection.

Candidates must submit for assessment a written report that includes a justification, discussion of methodology, explanation of the links between the political issue and course content, discussion of the engagement activities carried out, and analysis and synthesis of the political issue and the perspectives of involved stakeholders.

Paper 1 (1 hour 15 minutes)   20%   (25 marks) 

Source-based paper that draws from the common SL and HL core topics.

Candidates answer four compulsory structured questions.

Paper 2 (1 hour 45 minutes)   30%   (30 marks)

Extended response paper based on the common SL and HL thematic studies.

Candidates must answer two questions: one essay from section A (comprising questions from each of the thematic studies) and one essay from section B (comprising integrating questions).

Paper 3 (1 hour 30 minutes)   30%   (28 marks)

Stimulus-based paper related to the HL extension syllabus (global political challenges).

Candidates must respond to three questions drawing from their researched case studies.

Internal assessment (30 hours)   20%    (30 marks)

This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.

Engagement with a political issue chosen by the candidate—this requires background research, planning, active engagement, and complementary research and reflection.

Candidates must submit for assessment a written report that includes a justification, discussion of methodology, explanation of the links between the political issue and course content, discussion of the engagement activities carried out, and analysis and synthesis of the political issue and the perspectives of involved stakeholders. Candidates also formulate a recommendation for addressing the political issue.