The Geography Syllabus

This page provides a brief overview of the Geography IBDP syllabus. Following an outline of the course it is highly recommended you visit the the IB website for the full documentation of the course.

IBDP Snapshot

	DP Geography SL/HL Syllabus	SL Teaching Hours	SL Assessment	HL Teaching Hours	HL Assessment
Part 1	Geographical Themes - 7 Options 2 Options studied at SL and 3 Options studied at HL Freshwater Drainage Basins Oceans and Coastal Margins Extreme Environments Geophysical Hazards Leisure Tourism and Sport Food and Health Urban Environments	60 Hours	Paper 1 35% 45 mins per option Total: 1 Hour 30 mins Each option is 20 marks of which 10 marks is structured questions and 10 marks is an extended question from a choice of 2 Total: 40 Marks	90 Hours	Paper 1 35% 45 mins per option Total: 2 Hours 15 mins Each option is 20 marks of which 10 marks is structured questions and 10 marks is an extended question from a choice of 2 Total: 60 Marks
Part 2	SL/HL Core Geographic Perspectives - Global Change Population distribution—changing population Global climate—vulnerability and resilience Global resource consumption and security	70 Hours	Paper 2 40% Total: 1 hour 15 minutes Paper 2 Section A 3 structured questions, based on each SL/HL core unit 30 marks Paper 2 Section B Infographic or visual stimulus, with structured questions 10 marks Paper 2 Section C 1 extended answer question from a choice of 2 10 marks Total: 50 marks	70 Hours	Paper 2 25% Total: 1 hour 15 minutes Paper 2 Section A 3 structured questions, based on each SL/HL core unit 30 marks Paper 2 Section B Infographic or visual stimulus, with structured questions 10 marks Paper 2 Section C 1 extended answer question from a choice of 2 10 marks Total: 50 marks
Part 2 HL Core	HL only Geographic perspectives—global interactions Power, places and networks Human development and diversity Global risks and resilience			60 Hours	20% Total:1 hour Choice of three extended answer questions, with two parts, based on each HL core unit 28 marks Part A—12 marks Part B—16 marks
Total Examination Time			2 Hours 45 mins		4 Hours 30 mins
Internal Assessment	Fieldwork Fieldwork, leading to one written report based on a fieldwork question, information collection and analysis with evaluation	20 Hours	Internal assessment 25% Fieldwork question to be based on any suitable topic from the syllabus Total 25 marks	20 Hours	Internal assessment 20% Fieldwork question to be based on any suitable topic from the syllabus Total 25 marks
Total Teaching Hours		150 Hours		240 Hours

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