Official IB Classical Language IA criteria

Read the official IB Classical Language Internal Assessment criteria with markbands, guiding questions, and notes. Use the selectors to switch subject, level, or component; the optional AI grading prompt stays at the bottom for self-review.

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Step 2 — narrow it down

Group

Subject

Level

Official criteria

Classical Languages · All · Research dossier

4 criteriaTotal 28 marks

Criterion A: Sources

8 marks

Guiding questions

How relevant are the individual primary sources to the research question?

How do the primary sources contribute to a thorough coverage of the research question?

0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
Few of the selected sources are relevant. The sources provide limited coverage of the question.
3–4
Some of the selected sources are relevant. The sources provide a narrow coverage of the question.
5–6
Most of the selected sources are relevant. The sources contribute to a general coverage of the question.
7–8
Nearly all selected sources have clear relevance. The sources contribute to a thorough coverage of the question.

Criterion B: Annotations

8 marks

Guiding questions

To what extent do the annotations relate to the research question?

Do the annotations demonstrate an understanding of the sources?

0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
The annotations relate to the research question in a limited way. The annotations show limited understanding of the sources.
3–4
Some annotations are related to the research question. The annotations show some understanding of the sources.
5–6
Most annotations are directly related to the research question. The annotations show a general understanding of the sources.
7–8
Nearly all annotations are directly related to the research question. The annotations show a deep understanding of each source.

Criterion C: Argument

8 marks

Guiding questions

How focused, coherent, and developed is the argument?

How logical is the progression of the argument?

0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
There is little focus or coherence to the argument. The argument lacks a logical progression.
3–4
There is some focus and coherence to the argument. The argument is organized in a mostly logical progression.
5–6
The argument is focused and coherent but not consistently developed. The argument is organized in a logical progression throughout the dossier.
7–8
The argument is focused, coherent, and developed. The argument is consistently organized in a clear and logical progression throughout the dossier.

Criterion D: Conclusions and assessment

4 marks

Guiding questions

How appropriate are the conclusions the student draws from the investigation?

Does the student assess the conclusions with reference to the prediction and the starting point?

0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
The student draws conclusions that are partially supported by the dossier. The assessment of the conclusions makes a tenuous connection to the prediction and the starting point.
3–4
The student draws logical conclusions supported by the dossier. The assessment of the conclusions makes a clear connection to the prediction and the starting point.

Optional: AI grading prompt

For self-review only

A copyable prompt that embeds the criteria above and asks an AI to grade the work criterion by criterion. Use it as a draft sanity check — not a substitute for teacher or examiner feedback.

Common questions

Where do the criteria come from?

The criteria are stored locally in a structured database that mirrors the official IB descriptors. The page only displays them — descriptor wording is preserved as written, with no paraphrasing.

Why pick subject, level, and component?

The criteria differ by assessment type, subject, level, and component. The selectors at the top filter the database to the criteria set that applies to your specific submission.

What is the AI grading prompt at the bottom for?

It is an optional helper. The prompt embeds the same criteria you see above and asks an AI to evaluate the work criterion by criterion. Useful for a quick self-review before teacher feedback.

Is my work sent anywhere?

No. The page only loads criteria. If you choose to use the AI prompt, you copy it manually and paste it into the AI tool of your choice — nothing leaves this page.

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