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IB Geography Paper 3: Choosing, Part A and Part B
Geography: one question, two parts
Paper 3 is HL only, one question from three, and parts a and b must come from the same question – mixing them is the commonest way to lose marks outright. Marks sit in named case studies and figures: every point needs a place, a year or a number, and generalised answers stay in the middle band.
How is IB Geography Paper 3 assessed, and what does each part carry?
Paper 1 (Themes): SL two questions/40 marks; HL three/60 marks (SL 35% / HL 35%); Paper 2 (Core: Global Change): Section A three questions 30 marks, Section B infographic 10, Section (SL 40% / HL 25%); Paper 3 (HL only): One question from three, part a 12 marks plus part b 16 (28 marks); on (HL 20%)
Assessment at a glance (2027)
| Component | Content | Weighting | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Themes) | SL two questions/40 marks; HL three/60 marks | SL 35% / HL 35% | SL 1 h 30 min / HL 2 h 15 min |
| Paper 2 (Core: Global Change) | Section A three questions 30 marks, Section B infographic 10, Section C essay 10 (same paper at SL and HL) | SL 40% / HL 25% | 1 h 15 min |
| Paper 3 (HL only) | One question from three, part a 12 marks plus part b 16 (28 marks); one per HL extension unit | HL 20% | 1 h |
IB Geography Paper 3 technique: use the 5 minutes of reading time to compare the three questions and pick the one where you have the best named case studies; both parts must come from the same question (mixing them scores zero on one part); part a takes about 20-25 minutes and part b 25-30; a 16-mark essay needs definitions, both sides, named cases, data and an explicit judgement.
What each paper is actually testing
| Paper | Drill focus | How marks are lost |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Themes) | optional themes (two of seven at SL) | Only the core themes are revised, so none of the HL extension case studies is ready and every choice stays shallow. |
| Paper 2 (Core: Global Change) | core: population, climate, resources | Part a and part b are answered from different questions, so one part is not credited and the total is halved. |
| Paper 3 (HL only) | global interactions: power, development, risk | The essay generalises with no named case study or figure, so the content stays in the middle band. |
What is each IB Geography Paper 3 paper really testing, and what should you drill?
Paper 1 (Themes): optional themes (two of seven at SL); Paper 2 (Core: Global Change): core: population, climate, resources; Paper 3 (HL only): global interactions: power, development, risk
Drill order: by topic, then by year, then the mark scheme
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. By topic | Work through each topic, starting with the paper that allows least help (no calculator / closed book) | Exposes what is genuinely not understood |
| 2. By year | Whole papers to time, one or two a week | Trains pace, stamina and question selection |
| 3. Mark scheme | Go through the marking scheme question by question and log the scoring steps you missed | Most lost marks are written wrong, not thought wrong |
Should drilling go by topic first or by year?
By topic first, then whole papers by year, then the mark scheme. The first third of the time goes topic by topic (8-10 years of the same topic back to back), the middle switches to timed whole papers, and the last fortnight only redoes the recurring errors from your log.
A 12-week drilling timetable
| Week | Phase | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-3 | By topic: foundation | Topic by topic, starting with the easiest marks, building habits and recall |
| Weeks 4-6 | By topic: core | 8-10 years of the same topic back to back, errors classified by topic |
| Weeks 7-8 | By topic: advanced and electives | Elective and higher-order topics, now under time pressure |
| Weeks 9-10 | By year: timed papers | One full paper a week, timed, no reference materials |
| Week 11 | Mark scheme work | Question by question against the marking scheme; list the scoring steps you omitted |
| Week 12 | Plug holes and simulate | Only the recurring errors from your log, then one full exam simulation |
Subject-specific weighting for this timetable: Weeks 1-3: the three HL extension units only, two named case studies each, three figures and years per case.
Weeks 4-6: part a. Definition and concept, one case study, then a last sentence that answers the question directly.
Weeks 7-9: part b. Position first, two or three points with figures, closing judgement with its limits.
Weeks 10-12: full papers to time, spending five minutes comparing the three questions before writing; redo only answers with no named case study.
Use it properly: this is not a checklist to finish. Every week must keep time for redoing errors, or from week 9 you will be repeating the same batch.
Pacing
| Paper | Time | Suggested split |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Themes) | SL 1 h 30 min / HL 2 h 15 min | about 45 min per question |
| Paper 2 (Core: Global Change) | 1 h 15 min | Section A 35 min, B 10-15 min, C 20-25 min |
| Paper 3 (HL only) | 1 h | part a 20-25 min, part b 25-30 min |
How should the time be split inside each IB Geography Paper 3 paper?
Paper 1 (Themes): about 45 min per question; Paper 2 (Core: Global Change): Section A 35 min, B 10-15 min, C 20-25 min; Paper 3 (HL only): part a 20-25 min, part b 25-30 min
The drilling mistakes that cost the most marks
| Mistake | What it looks like | What actually happens | Instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part a and part b from different questions | Part a on question 1, part b on question 3 | One part scores zero | answer both parts from the same question |
| Description without evaluation | Listing facts and examples | The 16-mark essay stays mid-band | evaluate every argument you make |
| No named case studies | Generic theory | Caps the top-band marks | one named case with data per part |
| Running out of time on part b | An overlong part a | Only a few lines left for 16 marks | part a 20-25 minutes, part b 25-30 |
The error log and the mark scheme
Three columns: the paragraph as written, the scheme key words (named case study, figure, concept, judgement), and which was missing. Put the most frequent gap on page one.
How many years should you drill?
The current course changed the HL extension units and their assessment, so older Paper 3 questions do not always match: build the shapes on three to five years of current papers, then use the official specimen and school papers.
How many years of past papers is enough?
The current course changed the HL extension units and their assessment, so older Paper 3 questions do not always match: build the shapes on three to five years of current papers, then use the official specimen and school papers.
Frequently asked questions
Is this page a mock paper or a drilling guide?
This is the IB Geography Paper 3 drilling guide: assessment structure, drill order, a 12-week timetable, pacing, common mark losses and the error-log method. For questions with answers, use the IB Geography Paper 3 mock papers linked under Related.
By topic or by year first?
By topic. Eight to ten years of the same topic back to back is what exposes repeating errors; going straight to whole papers just repeats the same batch under time pressure.
How should the error log be written?
Do not copy out questions. Per error record four things: question reference, which step failed (concept, wording, calculation), what the mark scheme requires, and the correct action next time.
All three look familiar – how do I choose?
Compare the part b questions for five minutes and pick the one with the case studies and figures you actually hold, not the topic you like best. Depth scores, breadth does not.
Can parts a and b come from different questions?
No. Both parts must be the same question or one is not credited. Write the question number on the first page and use it for both parts.
Official references
| Resource | What to use it for |
|---|---|
| IB Geography subject page (IBO) | Confirm the times, marks and weightings for Papers 1-3 |
| https://www.tutorzone.com.hk/en-ib-geography-paper-2-mock-2027/ | IB Geography Paper 2 drilling mock (core theme) |
| https://www.tutorzone.com.hk/en-ib-geography-paper-1-mock-2027/ | IB Geography Paper 1 drilling mock (optional themes) |
Related: practice area · IB Geography Paper 2 drilling mock · IB Geography Paper 1 drilling mock · IB Geography drilling guide
Next step: find a tutor / register as a tutor
After drilling, the hard part is telling a conceptual error from a writing error. Tell us the year group, the school and your available times, and TutorZone will match you with a tutor who knows the HKEAA assessment requirements.
Demand for tutors in this subject is steady, and those who can explain the marking scheme and where marks are won are especially sought after. Register free; you pay only when a match succeeds.
