IB History has changed.
From first assessment 2028, the IB Diploma Programme History course has been redesigned to focus less on memorising events and more on historical inquiry, thinking, and analysis. For students starting the new syllabus, this shift can feel confusing — especially if expectations are not clearly explained.
This article explains what IB History really is under the new course, how it works, and what students need to understand early in order to succeed.
Quick Start Checklist
- What IB History focuses on under the new course
- How the subject has changed for first assessment 2028
- What “historical inquiry” actually means
- Why memorisation alone is no longer enough
- What skills IB History now prioritises
IB History Is About Inquiry, Not Memorisation
Under the new IB History course (first assessment 2028), students are not rewarded for simply knowing facts. Instead, they are assessed on how well they can use historical knowledge to answer questions.
This means IB History focuses on:
- Asking historical questions
- Analysing causes and consequences
- Evaluating different perspectives
- Explaining change and continuity
- Judging historical significance
Facts still matter — but only when they are used purposefully to support an argument.
What Does “Historical Inquiry” Mean?
Historical inquiry is the core of IB History under the new specification.
In simple terms, it means students must:
- Investigate a question about the past
- Select relevant evidence
- Analyse that evidence critically
- Consider different viewpoints
- Reach a reasoned conclusion
Students are no longer expected to tell examiners what happened. They are expected to explain why it happened, how it was experienced differently, and why it matters.
What Has Changed in IB History for First Assessment 2028?
While IB History has always valued analysis, the new course makes this explicit and central.
Key changes include:
- A clearer focus on historical concepts
- Stronger emphasis on comparison and synthesis
- More explicit expectations for evaluation
- Greater consistency across assessment papers
This means students who rely on memorised essays or narrative writing are far more likely to struggle than before.
IB History Is a Global Course
Another defining feature of the new IB History course is its global approach.
Rather than studying isolated national histories, students are expected to:
- Compare regions and time periods
- Understand global patterns and interactions
- Avoid narrow, single-perspective explanations
This prepares students to think historically at a global level — a skill that is essential for success in the new assessments.
What Skills Does IB History Prioritise Now?
Under the first assessment 2028 specification, IB History prioritises transferable academic skills.
These include:
- Analytical writing
- Evidence selection
- Comparative thinking
- Evaluation of perspectives
- Clear, structured argumentation
Students who develop these skills early gain a major advantage across all assessment components, including exams and the Internal Assessment.
Why Many Students Find IB History Difficult at First
Many students struggle early in IB History because they approach it like lower secondary history.
Common issues include:
- Writing descriptive answers
- Listing events instead of analysing them
- Ignoring the question focus
- Overloading essays with facts
- Avoiding evaluation
These habits are actively penalised under the new specification.
What Success in IB History Actually Looks Like
Successful IB History students:
- Answer the question directly
- Use evidence selectively
- Link facts to concepts
- Compare perspectives clearly
- Evaluate rather than describe
They think like historians — not textbook narrators.
How RevisionDojo Supports IB History (FA 2028)
RevisionDojo is designed specifically to support the new IB History course (first assessment 2028).
RevisionDojo helps students:
- Understand historical inquiry clearly
- Learn how examiners award marks
- Practise analytical, concept-driven responses
- Avoid common structural mistakes
- Build confidence with IB-style questions
This ensures students adapt quickly to the demands of the new syllabus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IB History harder under the new course?
It is more demanding conceptually, but not unfair. Students who understand expectations early often find the course more logical and structured.
Do I still need to memorise facts?
Yes — but facts must be used analytically. Memorisation without explanation is no longer rewarded.
Is IB History good preparation for university?
Yes. The emphasis on inquiry, evaluation, and argument closely mirrors university-level history and humanities courses.
Final Thoughts
IB History under the first assessment 2028 specification is not about remembering the past — it is about understanding it.
Students who adapt to historical inquiry, focus on skills, and learn how to construct arguments perform far better than those who rely on memorisation alone. With the right approach and structured support, the new IB History course becomes challenging, engaging, and highly rewarding.
That is exactly the approach RevisionDojo is built to support.
