Everything You Need to Know About IBDP Geography Paper 2 – Geographic Perspectives: Global Change

This isn’t Paper 1, it’s Paper 2, built around the core of the course: global population, climate, and resource issues. Let’s get into the format, time strategies, common pitfalls, and top-scoring tips.

📘 Official Name & Exam Overview

• Full Title: Paper 2 – Geographic Perspectives: Global Change
  
• Length: 1 hour 15 minutes (SL & HL)
  
• Weighting:
  
  • SL: 40% of your final grade
    
  • HL: 25% of your final grade
    

🧩 Format Overview

You’ll get a single paper with three sections worth 50 marks total:

1. Section A – Core SAQs (30 marks)
   
   • Three structured short answer questions (10 marks each)
     
   • Based on the core units:
     
     • Unit 1: Population distribution – changing population
       
     • Unit 2: Global climate – vulnerability & resilience
       
     • Unit 3: Global resource consumption & security
       
2. Section B – Visual / Infographic (10 marks)
   
   • Analyse and evaluate an infographic or chart
     
3. Section C – Extended Essay (10 marks)
   
   • Choose one of two essay questions linking across core themes
     

Both SL and HL students answer the exact same questions—no hidden catches.

⏱️ Timing Breakdown & Strategy

Total: 75 minutes + Reading Time

• Reading Time (5 mins):
  
  • Scan all sections; mark key bits
    
  • Begin thinking about Hall’s and essay structures
    
• Section A (30 marks): ~35–40 minutes
  
  • Aim for ~10 minutes per SAQ
    
• Section B (10 marks): 10–15 minutes
  
  • Focus on accurate data extraction and balanced evaluation
    
• Section C (10 marks): 25–30 minutes
  
  • 5 mins planning + 20–25 mins writing
    
  • Same essay criteria as Paper 1—deep thinking, HO(P)PED structuring
    

✅ Strategy: Tackle Sections A + B first (40 marks), then Section C. If you’re short, aim for a solid 5-mark essay.

⚠️ Section B – Infographic Pitfalls

Common slip-ups:

• Careless data-extract (losing quick 1-mark points)
  
• Weak evaluation in part (c): No balance, no judgment
  

Reliable structure for 6-mark eval question:

• ✅ 2–3 strengths
  
• ✅ 2–3 limitations
  
• ✅ 1-mark clear overall judgment on infographic’s effectiveness
  
• ✅ 1-mark balance: perspectives from both sides
  
• Missing either strength/limitation side? You max out at 4/6.
  

🧠 Section C – Extended Essay

Requirement: Give yourself 25–30 minutes for this section.

The questions follow the same essay criteria you use in Paper 1. Same setup, same mark scheme, same HO(P)PED process.

👉 Sometimes questions ask for comparisons, e.g.

“Ageing populations are a more serious issue than climate change for countries to solve.”
You’ll need to deal with both sides—ideal for HO(P)PED balance.

📝 Essay Advice: HO(P)PED to Success

Just like Paper 1, every 10-mark essay should follow this:

Introduction – HO(P)PED

• Hook (stat, quote, bold fact)
  
• Opinion (where you stand)
  
• Perspectives (stakeholders: govt, public, nonprofits…)
  
• Place example (place-specific case)
  
• Examples (data or case to support)
  
• Definitions (define command terms)
  

Body Paragraphs

• Link back to the question consistently
  
• Use balanced evidence (local/global, LIC/HIC)
  
• Include analysis and evaluation
  
• Expand with HO(P)PED per paragraph if needed
  

Conclusion

• No new info
  
• Reaffirm your opinion
  
• Summarise key evidence/perspectives that support your view
  

Key Concepts to Use:

➡️ Power, Places, Processes, Possibilities, Scale

Want more on this? Look out for my blogs on:

How to Write a Top-Quality 10-Mark Essay – How to Write a Top 10-mark IBDP Geography Essay for Paper 1 and Paper 2

🔍 Common Student Mistakes

1. SAQ errors – quick marks lost by rushing
   
2. Infographic misreads – weak evaluation, lack of balance
   
3. Essay drift – off-topic or missing comparison
   
4. No place examples – the examiner needs specifics
   
5. Poor planning – leads to jumbled structure
   

💡 Winning Tips

• Use reading time wisely – start planning mentally
  
• Precision in SAQs – answer exactly what’s asked
  
• Structured evaluation in Section B – when in doubt, balance it out
  
• Plan essays using HO(P)PED – it’s your essay blueprint
  
• Stay focused – keep tying back to command words
  
• Examples matter – specific, place-based, well-explained
  

🚫 Myth-Busters

• “Paper 2 is easier.”
  Nope—they didn’t make it easy; it’s strategic.
  
• “Can skip planning for essays.”
  Nope again. A 5-minute plan saves 10 minutes of confusion.
  
• “Visuals are quick marks.”
  They’re quick if you’re prepared—but only if you include analysis and judgment.
  

🔗 Useful Resources & Next Steps

Want more essay mastery? Check out:

Tackling Paper 1 Read this blog.
Or Paper 3 for HL students? It’s ready for you!

And….

How to Nail a 10 Mark IB Geography Essay Introduction – Use HOPED 🔥

📞 Free Coaching Session

Feeling stuck with visuals, essay comparisons, or pacing?

📺 Check out my YouTube channel for clear, fast Geography tips that actually make sense.

✅ Book a 30‑minute free session—we’ll fine-tune your Paper 2 tactics and build confidence:
👉 mrjamesgeography.com/contact

Let’s get you ready for a high-scoring Paper 2—no fluff, just clear strategies and success.