Long responses10-mark essays
→ /7| Grade /10 | Final /7 Grade |
|---|---|
| 9–10 | 7 |
| 8 | 6 |
| 6–7 | 5 |
| 5 | 4 |
| 3–4 | 3 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 |
IB Geography • Assessment
IB Geography Mark Bands
A visual guide to what changes as a long response moves through the mark bands — from disconnected knowledge to a focused, evidenced and evaluated geographical argument.
Visual summaries reconstructed from the original AdornGeo Mark Bands page • full official IB markbands embedded below
01
INTRODUCTION
How mark bands work
A mark band is a holistic description of expected performance. The response is judged as a whole using a best-fit approach, then placed at the particular mark within that band that best represents its quality.
1Read the whole responseJudge the overall quality, not isolated points.
→2Find the best-fit bandMatch the response to the descriptor that fits most closely.
→3Choose the markDecide where the response sits within that mark range.
AO1Knowledge & understanding
AO2Application & analysis
AO3Synthesis & evaluation
AO4Skills & structure
02
PAPER 1 & 2
Long-response mark bands
The original AdornGeo page used these bands for the 10-mark long responses in Papers 1 and 2 and for most long-response homework. Read the graphic from bottom to top: the strongest answers do more than add knowledge — they become increasingly focused, integrated, balanced and evaluative.
VISUAL SUMMARYPaper 1 & 2 • Maximum 10 marks
1–2marks
Brief & disconnected
Lists information, lacks focus and structure.
3–4marks
General
Some relevant knowledge, but little question-focused analysis.
5–6marks
Partial answer
Relevant evidence and some analysis; evaluation remains limited.
7–8marks
Whole question
Clear relevant analysis with evaluation; the response may lack balance.
9–10marks
In-depth & question-specific
Integrated evidence, balanced analysis, developed evaluation and a justified conclusion.
TOP-BAND CHECK
Question-specificDetailed evidenceBalanced analysisEvaluationJustified conclusionLogical structure
FULL MARKBANDPaper 1 & 2 long-response markband
Open official PDF ↗Original AdornGeo classroom filemarkbands_paper_1_sl_and_hl_part_b_one_sheet.docx
03
PAPER 3 • HL
Part A — 12 marks
Part A rewards a detailed, question-focused analysis. The top band integrates evidence into the argument, links paragraphs logically and returns clearly to the question in the conclusion.
VISUAL SUMMARYP3 Part A • Maximum 12 marks
1–3marks
General
Little focus, detail or structure; evidence is mostly listed.
4–6marks
Partial
Some relevant evidence, but the question and command term are only partly addressed.
7–9marks
Developing analysis
Most parts are addressed with relevant evidence; links between paragraphs may be weak.
10–12marks
Integrated analysis
All aspects are addressed with detailed evidence, linked paragraphs and a clear conclusion.
Part A emphasisAnalyse the question thoroughlyUse detailed evidenceLink evidence to the argumentStructure the response coherently
FULL MARKBANDPaper 3 Part A — 12 marks
Open official PDF ↗Original AdornGeo classroom fileib_geog_paper_3_hl_–_part_a_-_12_marks.pdf
04
PAPER 3 • HL
Part B — 16 marks
Part B raises the demand: alongside knowledge and analysis, the higher bands require synthesis and evaluation. Strong answers connect multiple parts of the Geography guide and develop an explicit geographical perspective or judgement.
VISUAL SUMMARYP3 Part B • Maximum 16 marks
1–4marks
General
Unfocused, limited evidence and no meaningful synthesis or links to the guide.
5–8marks
Partial
Some relevant evidence and a limited perspective; links to the guide remain narrow.
9–12marks
Developed
Most parts are addressed with relevant evidence, multiple guide links and some synthesis/evaluation.
13–16marks
Synthesised & evaluated
All aspects are addressed; evidence, perspectives and guide themes are integrated into a structured argument.
Part B addsSynthesis across themesMultiple links to the guidePerspectivesCritical evaluationSupported judgement
FULL MARKBANDPaper 3 Part B — 16 marks
Open official PDF ↗Original AdornGeo classroom fileib_geog_paper_3_hl_–_part_b_-_16_marks.pdf
05
NIST ASSESSMENT
Summative Assessment
Summative assessments will take the form of long-response essays or tests/exams. Essays will be marked according to the mark bands and the grade will be converted to a grade out of 7. Tests and exams will be marked and the grade converted firstly to a percentage and then a final grade out of 7.
The tables below show how grades for long responses and tests/exams will be converted into final grades out of 7.
STANDARD CONVERSIONSLong responses & tests/exams
Tests & examsPercentage conversion
→ /7| % | Final /7 Grade |
|---|---|
| 77+ | 7 |
| 66–76 | 6 |
| 55–65 | 5 |
| 44–54 | 4 |
| 33–43 | 3 |
| 22–32 | 2 |
| 1–21 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 |
HIGHER LEVELHL P3 Grade Conversion
HL Paper 3 • Part A12-mark response
→ /7| Grade /12 | Final /7 Grade |
|---|---|
| 11–12 | 7 |
| 9–10 | 6 |
| 7–8 | 5 |
| 5–6 | 4 |
| 3–4 | 3 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 |
HL Paper 3 • Part B16-mark response
→ /7| Grade /16 | Final /7 Grade |
|---|---|
| 13–16 | 7 |
| 11–12 | 6 |
| 9–10 | 5 |
| 7–8 | 4 |
| 5–6 | 3 |
| 3–4 | 2 |
| 1–2 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 |
Reconstructed from the original NIST Summative Assessment section preserved in the AdornGeo/Weebly material.
Source check
The original AdornGeo page headings and visual-summary sequence were recovered from the surviving indexed page. The full descriptors shown in the embedded document come from the official IB Geography specimen markscheme for first examinations in 2019.