The IB History Internal Assessment (IA) is a key part of your final grade — 25% for Standard Level (SL) and 20% for Higher Level (HL) students. But more than just a percentage, it’s a chance to explore a historical topic that genuinely interests you, develop independent research skills, and show your ability to think critically like a historian.

For many students, writing the IA can feel overwhelming — especially if they’ve never written a structured historical investigation before. That’s where the guidance of a qualified ib history tutor can make a big difference. But even with self-study, knowing the format and expectations can help you avoid common mistakes and build a solid, well-researched essay.

Understanding the Purpose and Structure of the IB History IA

The IA is a 2,200-word written investigation that gives you the opportunity to:

Choose your own historical topic
Conduct research using primary and secondary sources
Analyze and evaluate evidence
Reflect on your process as a historian

Your IA must include the following three sections:

Identification and Evaluation of Sources (Section 1) – Evaluate two key sources related to your topic. Consider their origin, purpose, value, and limitations.
Investigation (Section 2) – Present your historical analysis and answer your research question using evidence from multiple sources.
Reflection (Section 3) – Reflect on what you’ve learned about the methods used by historians, and any challenges you faced during the process.

Each section has its own criteria and contributes to your final IA score. A clear understanding of this structure is the foundation for success.

Choosing the Right Topic and Research Question

A strong topic is the first step toward a strong IA. You should choose a subject that:

Is specific and narrow enough to cover in 2,200 words
Has enough available sources (especially primary ones)
Genuinely interests you and connects with your coursework

Here are some examples of focused research questions:

To what extent was the leadership of Malcolm X responsible for the rise of Black nationalism in the 1960s?
What role did British newspapers play in shaping public opinion during the Suez Crisis of 1956?
How significant was the role of propaganda in Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1939?

Avoid questions that are too broad (“Why did World War II happen?”), too recent (“The Iraq War”), or too descriptive (“The life of Winston Churchill”). Your aim is to evaluate a historical issue — not to tell a story.

Conducting Research and Evaluating Sources

Your IA should be based on solid, well-researched evidence. This includes both primary sources (letters, speeches, newspapers, official documents) and secondary sources (books and articles by historians).

For Section 1, you’ll need to select two key sources and analyze them in depth. When evaluating sources, consider:

Origin: Who created it? When? Where?
Purpose: Why was it created?
Value: What makes it useful for your investigation?
Limitations: What are its weaknesses or biases?

Learning to think critically about historical documents is a skill that takes time to develop — and something a good ib history tutor online can help you master.

Planning and Writing the IA

Breaking down the writing process into manageable steps will help you stay on track:

Create an outline: Know what you’re going to say in each section before you start writing.
Stick to the word count: Aim for around 500–600 words for Section 1, 1,200–1,300 for Section 2, and 300–400 for Section 3.
Use evidence properly: Support every major claim with a source and reference it clearly.
Don’t copy and paste: All ideas must be your own — IB takes plagiarism very seriously.
Ask for feedback: Whether from your teacher or a ib history tutor, outside feedback helps you see weaknesses you may miss.

Pro tip: Write your bibliography as you go to avoid losing track of your references.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Students often lose marks for easily avoidable issues. Here are some of the most frequent:

❌ Unclear structure – Sections that blur into each other or lack headings
❌ Weak source evaluation – Describing instead of analyzing the sources
❌ Too much narration – Simply retelling what happened without arguing a point
❌ Not answering the question – Losing focus on the original research question
❌ Word count issues – Either too long or too short in one or more sections
❌ Poor referencing – Missing citations or incorrect formatting

Taking the time to check your work against the official IB mark scheme can help you avoid these errors.

Final Tips for Success

Here’s a checklist to keep in mind before submitting your IA:

✅ Have I answered the research question directly?
✅ Have I critically evaluated at least two sources in Section 1?
✅ Is my investigation analytical, not just descriptive?
✅ Have I reflected meaningfully in Section 3?
✅ Have I followed the formatting and referencing guidelines?
✅ Have I stayed within the word limit?

The IA isn’t just a test of historical knowledge — it’s a chance to practice real research skills that will serve you in university and beyond. And if you need support at any stage of the process, an experienced ib history tutor can guide you from topic selection to final review.