IB Internal Assessment Guide
The Internal Assessment (IA) is a compulsory internally assessed component in most IB Diploma Programme subjects, marked by teachers and moderated by the IB. The IA usually counts for 20-30% of a subject's total grade, so doing it well is an effective way to raise your DP score.
$29.00- Programme
- IB Diploma Programme
- Subject
- Internal Assessment (IA) - general guide
- Level
- All DP students
- Pages
- 115 pages
- Language
- English (bilingual terms)
About this guide
The IB Internal Assessment Guide provides a general framework and practical advice for planning, researching and writing a strong IA across a range of subjects - from choosing a topic and collecting data to presentation and citation.
The book highlights the shared assessment criteria and the common mistakes that cost students marks, helping you take control of the quality of your own work.
What is inside
- What the IA is and its role in the total grade of each DP subject
- How the IA differs by subject group: Sciences, Mathematics, Individuals & Societies, Languages, The Arts
- Choosing a research question that is feasible, narrow enough and meaningful
- Planning research and collecting and processing data/evidence
- IA structure: introduction, method, analysis, evaluation and conclusion
- The shared assessment criteria and how to check your work against them
- Citation, referencing and academic integrity
- Time management, draft deadlines and making the most of teacher feedback
Who this guide is for
- IB Diploma Programme students preparing or working on the IA in any subject
- Students who want to understand the IA marking criteria to optimise their score
- Teachers who need material to guide students through the IA process
- Students doing independent research for the first time who need a reference framework
- Parents who want to understand IA requirements to help their child manage progress
How to use this guide
- Start early: use the book to build a timeline working backwards from the final deadline
- Choose a research question that is narrow, feasible and has data, using the book's criteria
- Match your own subject's specific requirements against the subject-group notes
- Write to the model structure and keep continually to the assessment criteria
- Record your sources from the start to avoid academic-integrity errors
- Submit your draft on time and apply teacher feedback before finalising
Questions about this guide
What percentage of the subject grade does the IA count for?
Depending on the subject, the IA usually accounts for around 20-30% of the total. It is marked by teachers to IB criteria and moderated by the IB to ensure fairness across schools.
Can this book be used for every IB subject?
The book provides a general framework and principles that apply across many subjects, plus notes on the specifics of each subject group. You should still combine it with your subject's own subject guide.