Assessment
Formats, timings, weightings and where the marks actually are, at SL and HL, plus the three assessment objectives.
Global Politics is assessed by two external papers at SL, three at HL, plus one internally assessed engagement project. Nothing here is a surprise on the day if you have used the walkthroughs on the pages below.
At a glance
| Time | Marks | SL | HL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — source-based, on the core | 1 h 15 | 25 | 30% | 20% |
| Paper 2 — extended response, on the thematic studies | 1 h 45 | 30 | 40% | 30% |
| Paper 3 (HL) — stimulus paper, on the HL extension | 1 h 30 | 28 | — | 30% |
| Engagement project — internally assessed | 25 h (SL) / 35 h (HL) | 24 / 30 | 30% | 20% |
Where the marks actually are
Paper 1 · 25 marks. Q1 = 3 (AO1, understanding a source) · Q2 = 4 (AO2, applying knowledge to a source) · Q3 = 6 (AO3, comparing two sources) · Q4 = 12 (AO3, evaluate and synthesize). Nearly half the paper is Q4.
Paper 2 · 30 marks. Two essays of 15 marks: one from Section A (a single thematic study) and one from Section B (integrating across themes and the core).
Paper 3 · 28 marks. Q1 = 3 (AO2, analyse the stimulus) · Q2a = 4 (AO2, analyse a political issue from your case) · Q2b = 6 (AO3, recommend a course of action) · Q3 = 15 (AO3, synthesize across your researched cases).
Engagement project. SL 24 marks across criteria A–E; HL 30 marks, adding criterion F for a separate recommendation of no more than 400 words.
The three assessment objectives
| What it asks | Command terms you will see | |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Knowledge and understanding | define · describe · identify · list · outline |
| AO2 | Application and analysis | analyse · distinguish · explain · suggest |
| AO3 | Synthesis and evaluation | compare · contrast · discuss · evaluate · examine · justify · recommend · to what extent |
Read the command term first, every time. Most lost marks are not lost on knowledge — they are lost by answering a describe question with an evaluate answer, or the other way round.
In this section
- Paper 1External assessment · SL and HLUnderstand, analyse, compare and evaluate political sources.
- Paper 2External assessment · SL and HLBuild two focused, evidence-based arguments about global political issues.
- Paper 3 (HL)HL assessmentTransfer your HL Extension research to unfamiliar political questions.
- Engagement ProjectInternal assessment · SL and HLInvestigate a real political issue through research, direct engagement, analysis and reflection.
- Extended essayWhat counts as a Global Politics EE, its required elements, structure, suggested word-count planning, assessment criteria and reflection requirements.