SL and HL and Assessment

Introduction

This page provides a simple overview of the expectations and differences in assessment between the standard level and higher level courses.

SL and HL Assessment

Students at standard level (SL) and higher level (HL) in Geography are presented with a syllabus that has a common core and optional themes. HL students also study the core extension. The syllabus requires the development of certain skills, attributes and knowledge as described in the assessment objectives of the course.

Although the skills and activity of studying Geography are common to both SL and HL students, the HL student is required to acquire a further body of knowledge, to demonstrate critical evaluation, and to synthesize the concepts in the core extension.

Standard Level Higher Level

Paper 1

Geographic Themes                  

Students learn two from a choice of seven geographic themes including:

  • Option A - Freshwater
  • Option B - Oceans and coastal margins
  • Option C - Extreme environments
  • Option D - Geophysical hazards
  • Option E - Leisure, tourism and sport
  • Option F - Food and health
  • Option G - Urban environments

Students learn three from a choice of seven geographic themes

  • Option A - Freshwater
  • Option B - Oceans and coastal margins
  • Option C - Extreme environments
  • Option D - Geophysical hazards
  • Option E - Leisure, tourism and sport
  • Option F - Food and health
  • Option G - Urban environments
The Geographic themes in blue are resourced in this site

Paper 2 (Core)

Geographic Perspectives Global Change

Students learn themes including:

  • Changing Population
  • Global Climate -Vulnerability and Resilience
  • Global Resources Consumption and Security

Students learn themes including:

  • Changing Population
  • Global Climate -Vulnerability and Resilience
  • Global Resources Consumption and Security
The content in Paper 2 for Sl and HL is the same

Paper 3 (HL Core)

Geographic Perspectives Global Interactions

HL Students (only) learn themes including:

  • Power Paces and Networks
  • Human Development and Diversity
  • Global Risks and Resilience
Internal Assessment Students write an independent fieldwork report 2500 valued at 25% of the total assessment Students write an independent fieldwork report 2500 valued at 25% of the total assessment

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