The New IB Global Politics Syllabus Explained: What’s Changed and How to Succeed
The IB Global Politics syllabus just got its biggest overhaul yet. Here's exactly what’s changed - and how to master it in 2025.
If you’re an IB Global Politics student, teacher, or parent in 2025, you need to know this: the syllabus has changed - and not just a little. After years of stability, the subject has undergone a significant transformation to reflect today’s more complex, interconnected world.
We attended the official webinar led by Chiel Mooij - co-author of the new textbook and co-creator of the subject itself - and we’ve broken it all down for you: what’s new, what to focus on, and how to get top marks under the updated structure.
Our tutors have years of experience helping IB students from all around the globe navigate curriculum updates, adapt to new assessment criteria, and stay ahead of the curve
What’s Changed in the New Syllabus?:
Let’s start with a quick overview of the major differences between the old and new assessment model.
| Component | Old Syllabus | New Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Text-based source analysis, focused on comparison | Still source-based, but with clearer emphasis on synthesis and evaluation |
| Paper 2 | Two essays from prescribed core and optional topics | Entirely thematic, with stronger links to core concepts and cross-theme relationships |
| Paper 3 (HL) | Oral presentation on political issue of interest | Fully written paper with no sources, focused on global political challenges and conceptual application |
| IA | Engagement activity write-up (SL & HL) | Same core format, but HL students now write an additional 400-word recommendation section evaluating potential solutions |
Key takeaway: The entire assessment philosophy has shifted from content regurgitation to conceptual interlinking and real-world synthesis.
Paper 1 (1h15min, 25 marks)
Weighting: 30% (SL), 20% (HL)
The first exam paper may look familiar—it still includes short-answer responses based on a stimulus text—but the focus is sharper:
What’s New?
Q3 (6 marks): Requires explicit comparison and contrast of 3 similarities or differences—draw directly from the source, with clear detail.
Q4 (12 marks): This mini-essay now demands more sophisticated integration. You're expected to:
Blend source details with your own theoretical and case knowledge
Clearly evaluate the strength of competing arguments or claims
Synthesis is everything - don’t treat the source and your ideas separately. Combine them in one powerful, connected argument.
Need help preparing for Paper 1?
Our expert tutors will help you master exam technique, manage your time, and boost your confidence - so you’re ready for anything on test day.
Paper 2 (1h45min, 15 marks per question)
Weighting: 40% (SL), 30% (HL)
This is where the major shift happened.
Instead of choosing from specific topic areas, you now:
Answer one question from Section A (focused on peace, rights, or development)
Answer one from Section B (which connects these themes in a cross-thematic way)
How It’s Different:
There are no isolated topic essays anymore.
Your responses must show the relationships between concepts and themes.
Markschemes reward conceptual depth and integration.
During the webinar, integration, interlinking, and relationships were emphasized as the new gold standard. This is not just about knowing what sovereignty is—it’s about explaining how sovereignty impacts peacebuilding, or how development policies shape human rights outcomes.
Paper 3 (HL Only – 1h30min, 28 marks)
This paper replaces the old HL presentation and is a completely written, source-free exam. It focuses on eight global political challenges (GPCs):
Borders, Environment, Equality, Health, Identity, Poverty, Security, Technology
Structure:
Q1 (3 marks): Link a stimulus term to your own knowledge—brief but specific.
Q2 (4 + 6 marks): First show basic understanding, then apply it to offer a potential solution or interpretation.
Q3 (15 marks): A comparative deep dive into two case studies and one key concept. To score well, you must:
Provide detailed, not superficial, analysis of both case studies
Explicitly connect the GPC to core concepts like power, legitimacy, or justice
Synthesize and evaluate across the two examples
Avoid assumptions—write as if the examiner knows nothing about your case studies. Detail and explanation win marks.
Master conceptual thinking the examiners reward.
The Internal Assessment (IA)
SL: 2000 words | HL: +400 words
The IA still centers around a political issue you’ve actively engaged with—but the bar has been raised. HL students are expected to propose thoughtful solutions and evaluate their feasibility.
To Maximize Marks:
Pick a specific role and timeframe for your engagement: did you intern, interview, shadow, simulate, or join?
Clearly connect your experience to a particular political actor and concept
Show how one experience may have inspired further inquiry or action
HL? Offer realistic, well-reasoned recommendations
Don’t just describe your experience—analyze it. What did you learn about political systems, agency, and obstacles to change?
Need help with your IA? Let’s get cracking!
Final Thoughts: What the New Syllabus Really Demands
This isn’t just a syllabus change—it’s a mindset shift.
To succeed in IB Global Politics in 2025, you need to:
Interlink your ideas—concepts, themes, and case studies don’t live in silos anymore.
Engage deeply—don’t just use buzzwords like power or development; explain how they interact.
Think globally—use current, detailed case studies that reflect today’s complexities.
Need Help Navigating the Change?
Whether you're a student preparing for the new Paper 3 or a parent looking to support your child’s coursework, we’ve built tailored support for this exact curriculum.
Explore our IB Global Politics resources and tutoring here
Or sign up for a free consultation to see how we can help
Let’s make your Global Politics journey insightful, structured, and successful.
