Global Politics Past Papers 2026
Browse all available Global Politics sessions from 2014-2025. This archive currently includes 176 official papers and 3 donated papers.
22
Sessions
179
Papers
176
Official
2014-2025
Years
November 2025
Latest Session
22
Sessions
2014–2025
85
Question Papers
40
Markschemes
47% coverage
Components & time pressure
Marks per minute = how fast you have to write. Anything above 0.85 is tight; above 1.0 is brutal.
| Paper | Component | Marks | Duration | Marks / min | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Source-Based Stimulus Paper | 25 | 1h 15m | 0.33 | Steady |
| Paper 2 | Extended Response Essays | 75 | 2h 45m | 0.45 | Steady |
| Paper 3 (HL Extension Oral) | HL Extension — Global Political Challenges | 20 | 10-minute oral presentation + discussion | — | — |
Components: 2 papers, up to 4 variants each. Component data extracted from 2 official IB subject reports (2025).
November 2025
Latest Session
22
Sessions
2014–2025
85
Question Papers
39
Markschemes
46% coverage
Components & time pressure
Marks per minute = how fast you have to write. Anything above 0.85 is tight; above 1.0 is brutal.
| Paper | Component | Marks | Duration | Marks / min | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Source-Based Stimulus Paper | 25 | 1h 15m | 0.33 | Steady |
| Paper 2 | Extended Response Essays | 50 | 1h 45m | 0.48 | Steady |
Components: 2 papers, up to 4 variants each. Component data extracted from 2 official IB subject reports (2025).
Yearly Exam Sessions
What IB examiners say about Global Politics
Verbatim quotes from 2 official IB subject reports (2025). Every quote is attributable to a specific paper and session — these are the things IB markers flag year after year.
Paper 2: Reproducing pre-prepared answers instead of…
Too many students appeared to rely on pre-prepared thematic responses or familiar case studies, attempting to shape the question to fit their material rather than allowing the question to guide their argument and choices of supporting real-world examples.
Paper 2: Describing case studies in detail without…
There was a general overuse of descriptive case studies. While most responses included relevant real-world examples, these were frequently narrated in detail without being explicitly linked back to the question or used to advance evaluation/critical thinking.
Paper 2: Stopping at arguments and counterclaims without…
Evaluation and implications were often limited. Many students presented arguments and counterarguments but stopped short of weighing their relative significance or exploring what their analysis implied for Global Politics more broadly.
About IB Global Politics
IB Global Politics is a Group 3 subject examining power, sovereignty, and international relations in the modern world. Core topics include power, sovereignty and international relations; human rights; development; and peace and conflict. Students also complete an engagement activity and write a political engagement report as part of their Internal Assessment.
IB Global Politics is available at SL and HL. It is particularly valued for students interested in international relations, law, social science, or politics at university. HL students study two prescribed books on global politics and sit an additional paper.
Exam Format
Paper 1 (SL/HL: 1 hr 15 min)
Stimulus-based questions on one of the four core units. Short-answer and essay.
Paper 2 (SL: 1 hr 45 min / HL: 1 hr 45 min)
Two essays from the core topics (excluding the Paper 1 topic). Extended analytical responses required.
Paper 3 (HL only: 1 hr 30 min)
Questions based on two prescribed texts. Requires textual analysis and political argument.
SL vs HL
HL Global Politics adds Paper 3 (prescribed texts) and requires deeper analysis of all core units. HL students engage with political theory and primary texts in greater depth.
Study Tips for IB Global Politics
- ✓Build a portfolio of real-world political case studies for each core topic.
- ✓For Paper 1 stimulus questions, always link your answer back to the data/text provided.
- ✓Use political theory frameworks: realism, liberalism, constructivism for international relations questions.
- ✓Your engagement activity is a live example you can use in exams — choose one that links to a core topic.
Questions, answered.
A real-world political engagement (attending a council meeting, joining a campaign, volunteering with an NGO, etc.). Students write a 2,000-word report analysing their experience through a political lens.
Yes — IB Global Politics HL is well-regarded for politics, international relations, law, and social science programmes.