History · Historical Investigation (IA)
IB History IA Grader
Upload your Historical Investigation (IA) and get criterion-by-criterion feedback against the IB assessment criteria in the official IB History internal assessment (historical investigation) rubric (first assessment 2017). Whether you are at Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL), iBacalao shows where your draft meets the mark scheme and what to improve before formative submission. Free to start in the Mac app; sign-in is required to keep reviews and usage limits tied to your account.
IB assessment criteria — 25 marks total
Your Historical Investigation (IA) is graded against 3 criteria in the official mark scheme. iBacalao scores each one and tells you exactly where to gain marks.
Identification and Evaluation of Sources
A clearly focused research question. Appropriate, relevant sources identified with their relevance explained. Detailed analysis and evaluation of two sources, with explicit discussion of their value and limitations with reference to origin, purpose and content.
Investigation
A clear, coherent and well-organized investigation with critical analysis supported by relevant, well-chosen evidence from a range of sources. Different perspectives are evaluated, leading to a reasoned conclusion that is consistent with the evidence.
Reflection
Reflection focused on what the investigation revealed about the methods used by, and the challenges facing, historians. An explicit connection between the reflection and the rest of the investigation, supported by specific examples.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent reasons students drop marks on each criterion.
Identification and Evaluation of Sources
- Research question too broad, or not clearly stated
- Value and limitations not tied to origin, purpose and content
- Summarising the sources instead of evaluating them
- Choosing sources that are hard to evaluate (e.g. general textbooks)
Investigation
- Narrative or descriptive writing instead of analysis
- Conclusion not supported by the evidence presented
- Sources listed but not critically used in the argument
- Different perspectives or interpretations not considered
Reflection
- Reflecting on personal effort instead of the historian's methods
- Generic comments not linked to the investigation
- No specific examples drawn from the investigation
- Reflection reads as a second conclusion rather than methodological
Common questions
How is the IB History Historical Investigation (IA) marked?
Your Historical Investigation (IA) is marked against 3 criteria totalling 25 marks using the official IB History internal assessment (historical investigation) rubric (first assessment 2017): Identification and Evaluation of Sources (/6), Investigation (/15), Reflection (/4). Each criterion has its own mark bands, and your teacher's marks are moderated by the IBO.
What are the most common mistakes in the IB History Historical Investigation (IA)?
The two criteria worth the most marks are where students lose the most. On Investigation: Narrative or descriptive writing instead of analysis; Conclusion not supported by the evidence presented. On Identification and Evaluation of Sources: Research question too broad, or not clearly stated; Value and limitations not tied to origin, purpose and content. The full list for every criterion is above.
Which criterion is worth the most marks in the IB History Historical Investigation (IA)?
The highest-weighted criterion is "Investigation" and is worth 15 marks. The top mark band for this criterion is the most detailed, so missing any element it mentions is the fastest way to lose marks.
What is the word limit for the History Historical Investigation (IA)?
Word and page limits for the Historical Investigation (IA) are set in the official IB History internal assessment (historical investigation) rubric (first assessment 2017) rather than being the same across subjects, so check your subject guide for the exact figure. Going over the limit risks examiners stopping at the limit and not marking what follows.
Can I use AI to help with my History IA?
The IBO allows AI for research support and feedback, but the submitted work must be entirely your own. iBacalao gives criterion-by-criterion feedback on your draft — the same kind of comment your teacher would give — without generating any text for your IA.