The revised paper
The department studies Political and economic transitions. Paper 1 centres on an inquiry question and three sources. Its three questions concern relevant content, a source’s context and perspectives across the source set. This replaces the earlier four-question structure. See the SL and HL pages for timings and assessment weights.
These changes are explained in the IB’s History curriculum update.
Read for the inquiry
Start by identifying the question’s time, place and central issue. A relevant detail is evidence that helps answer that question, not simply an interesting phrase. Link each selected detail to the inference it supports.
Explain context
Ask who produced a source, when, for which audience and under what pressures. Then explain how that context affects its use. A government statement can reveal an intended policy without proving that the policy succeeded.
Bring perspectives together
Compare how sources frame the same issue. Identify agreements, disagreements and differences of emphasis. Explain whether these reflect different experiences, purposes or access to information. Use relevant contextual knowledge to test an interpretation.
Practise with an event note
The Charter Oath module pairs an exact translated extract with questions about promises and evidence of implementation. Its questions are practice activities, not an official specimen examination.
Last updated 25 September 2026.