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.