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IB Global Politics Paper 1

Roxanne

By Roxanne

02 May 2025

IB Global Politics Paper 1  cover image
Get feedback on your Global Politics IA
Marked only by official IB examiners

If you need more guidance regarding the structure of IB Global Politics Paper 1, this post is for you! Here, we will provide a thorough breakdown of IB Global Politics Paper 1, ensuring you are familiar with the exam format and know what type of questions to expect to help you tackle the exam confidently. 

 

 

IB Global Politics Paper 1

 

  • Paper 1 contains source-based questions that address topics from the global politics core of understanding power and global politics in an integrated way.

  • The sources may include text, images, diagrams, etc. Students must answer all questions based on the sources as well as their own knowledge from the syllabus.

  • Stronger emphasis will be placed on the relevance and diversity of sources.

  • Paper 1 is the same for both SL and HL students. 

  • Students are required to answer four compulsory questions. Each question follows a set structure.

  • Paper 1 contributes 30% of the total grade for SL students and 20% for HL students

  • The maximum score attainable is 25 marks.

  • Students have 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete Paper 1.

     

 

Example Questions

 

Identify one human rights issue raised in Source A. [4 marks]

 

Explain how sovereignty can impact the protection of human rights, with reference to Source B. [6 marks]

 

Compare and contrast how Sources C and D represent the challenges faced by NGOs. [10 marks]

 

Evaluate the effectiveness of international organizations in addressing refugee crises, using the sources and your own knowledge. [12 marks]

 

 

How to Succeed in Global Politics Paper 1

 

  • Solve past papers – This helps you get used to the type of questions that could be asked on the exam and helps you develop skills in learning which concepts to apply. You should try to solve past papers using a timer to simulate exam conditions and check your answers against a markscheme to identify areas for improvement.

     

  • Practice applying key concepts – Review core topics like power, legitimacy, sovereignty, interdependence, etc. Identify which concept is relevant to each question and source. Practice writing answers based on these relevant concepts from the syllabus. 

     

  • Critically analyze the sources – Learn how to quickly highlight key points from the stimulus sources. Try to identify bias, recognise different perspectives, and link your response back to political themes.

     

  • Plan before writing Organize your thoughts before beginning your essay to ensure your response stays focused and well-structured. Before you start writing, create a quick draft in bullet points of what you want to base your answer on. Do not simply rush to begin writing, as this could lead to your thoughts being disorganized, which could impact the examiner's perception of the quality of your response. 

 

 

We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify