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Official IB Computer Science IA criteria

Read the official IB Computer Science 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.

Step 1 — what are you working on?

Step 2 — narrow it down

Group
Subject
Level

Official criteria

Computer Science · All · Computational solution

5 criteriaTotal 30 marks

Criterion A: Problem specification

4 marks
  • 0

    The response does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  • 1–2

    The response: outlines a problem scenario states limited success criteria outlines the nature of the solution in a computational context.

  • 3–4

    The response: describes the problem scenario in terms of its measurable solution requirements states appropriate success criteria explains the choice of computational context for the solution.

Criterion B: Planning

4 marks
  • 0

    The response does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  • 1–2

    The response: constructs a partial decomposition of the problem scenario constructs a plan that addresses some of the success criteria of the solution.

  • 3–4

    The response: constructs a reasonable decomposition of the problem scenario constructs a plan that addresses the success criteria of the solution.

Criterion C: System overview

6 marks
  • 0

    The response does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  • 1–2

    The response: outlines a limited system model identifies algorithms for the components of the system model identifies a testing strategy for at least one success criterion.

  • 3–4

    The response: constructs a system model that is not complete constructs algorithms for the components of the system model that lead to partial functionality of the product outlines a testing strategy that aligns with at least three success criteria.

  • 5–6

    The response: constructs a complete system model constructs algorithms for the components of the system model that enable the product to perform describes a testing strategy that aligns with the success criteria.

Criterion D: Development

12 marks
  • 0

    The response does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  • 1–3

    The response: constructs a product with very limited functionality constructs a product using no appropriate techniques to implement the algorithms states the choices made to implement the algorithms states the testing strategy used.

  • 4–6

    The response: constructs a product that has limited functionality constructs a product using at least one appropriate technique to implement the algorithms outlines the choices made to implement the algorithms states the effectiveness of the testing strategy.

  • 7–9

    The response: constructs a product that has partial functionality constructs a product that uses some appropriate techniques to implement the algorithms explains the choices made to implement the algorithms describes the effectiveness of the testing strategy.

  • 10–12

    The response: constructs a fully functional product constructs a product that uses appropriate techniques to implement the algorithms evaluates the choices made to implement the algorithms justifies the effectiveness of the testing strategy.

Criterion E: Evaluation

4 marks
  • 0

    The response does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  • 1–2

    The response: states the extent to which the success criteria were met describes improvements to the product.

  • 3–4

    The response: evaluates the extent to which the success criteria were met justifies improvements to the product.

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.

More IB resources

Other tools that pair well with the official criteria.

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