Overview
The best IB History IA question is narrow, genuinely historical, and answerable with sources you can actually access — including at least one that lets you evaluate origin, purpose, value, and limitations. The historical investigation is a piece of independent research (around 2,200 words) on a question of your choice. This post shows what makes a strong question and gives example templates by era and theme. For the full write-up on the three sections and criteria, see the [IB History IA guide](/blog/ib-history-ia-guide).
What makes a strong IA question
This section covers What makes a strong IA question — what IB examiners reward most often in past papers and coursework.
- Narrow and specific — a single event, decision, or short period, not "the causes of World War Two".
- Historical, not descriptive — it invites analysis and debate ("To what extent…", "Why did…", "How significant was…"), not a retelling.
- Source-rich — enough accessible sources, ideally with at least one you can evaluate for origin, purpose, value and limitations.
- Personal or local where possible — a local or family-linked angle can be original and engaging, provided sources exist.
Question templates that work
For the IB Diploma Programme, slot your topic into a proven shape:
- "To what extent was [factor] responsible for [outcome]?"
- "Why did [event/decision] happen when it did?"
- "How significant was [individual/policy] in [outcome]?"
- "How far did [group/place] change as a result of [event]?"
Example angles by theme
For the IB Diploma Programme, treat these as starting points — the specific question and sources must be your own, and always confirm the topic with your teacher.
Political power and leadership
- The role of a specific decision or speech in a leader's rise or fall.
- How significant one policy was to a regime's consolidation of power.
Conflict and its aftermath
- A single battle, campaign, or turning point and its actual impact.
- How a peace settlement affected one country, region, or group.
Social and economic change
- The impact of one reform, movement, or economic shift on a specific community.
- How far conditions changed for a particular group over a defined period.
Local and family history
- A local event, industry, or institution, using archives, newspapers, or oral history.
- A family member's experience of a documented historical event, backed by wider sources.
How to sharpen a topic into a question
For the IB Diploma Programme, start from a period you enjoy, then narrow: pick one event, person, or decision; choose the historical debate (cause, significance, change, extent); and check your sources exist before committing — ideally including one you can evaluate in depth. If you cannot find sources, change the question, not the standards.
Planning your investigation on MarkScheme
Lock in your question and check source availability early. Use the free [History HL](/ib/courses/history-hl) and [SL](/ib/courses/history-sl) lessons to build context, review [History past papers](/ib/past-papers/history-hl) for essay and source technique, and [get an answer marked](/mark) to keep exam skills sharp alongside the IA.
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — what IB examiners reward most often in past papers and coursework.
How recent can my topic be?
Confirm the current rule with your teacher and the History guide — there is usually a limit on how recent events can be, to ensure enough historical sources and perspective exist.
Do I need primary sources?
You need a range of sources and, crucially, the ability to evaluate at least one in depth (origin, purpose, value, limitations). A strong secondary source can serve this as well as a primary one.
How long is the History IA?
Around 2,200 words across the three sections. Going well over is penalised, so a narrow question you can answer fully is an advantage.