History · Historical Investigation (IA)
IB History Internal Assessment
Upload your Historical Investigation (IA) and get examiner-level feedback on every criterion — scored against the official IB History internal assessment (historical investigation) rubric (first assessment 2017). Free to try, no account required.
Assessment criteria — 25 marks total
Your Historical Investigation (IA) is graded against 3 criteria. 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
Identification and Evaluation of Sources
Research question too broad, or not clearly statedValue and limitations not tied to origin, purpose and contentSummarising the sources instead of evaluating themChoosing sources that are hard to evaluate (e.g. general textbooks)
Investigation
Narrative or descriptive writing instead of analysisConclusion not supported by the evidence presentedSources listed but not critically used in the argumentDifferent perspectives or interpretations not considered
Reflection
Reflecting on personal effort instead of the historian's methodsGeneric comments not linked to the investigationNo specific examples drawn from the investigationReflection 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). Your teacher marks first, then the IBO moderates a random sample from your school — so your mark may be adjusted up or down if the moderator consistently disagrees with your teacher.
What is the most important criterion in the IB History IA?
All criteria matter, but the highest-weighted criterion — worth the most marks — is "Investigation". Focus on what the mark band descriptor says for the top score and make sure every element it mentions is present in your submission.
Can I use AI to help with my History IA?
The IBO allows AI for feedback and research support, 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.