Read the official IB Design Technology 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
Design Technology · All · Design project
5 criteriaTotal 33 marks
Criterion A: Empathize
9 marks
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–3
The student:
states a primary persona appropriate to the redesign of the product
presents a storyboard based on a limited task analysis of the primary persona using a product for a specific task
outlines a limited range of existing products and a list of their key features.
4–6
The student:
describes a primary persona appropriate to the redesign of the product
presents a satisfactory storyboard based on a task analysis of the primary persona using a product for a specific task
describes a range of existing products identifying the successes and weaknesses of some key features.
7–9
The student:
explains a primary persona appropriate to the redesign of the product
presents a detailed storyboard based on a comprehensive task analysis of the primary persona using a product for a specific task
evaluates a range of existing products accurately identifying the successes and weaknesses of all key features.
Criterion B: Defining the project
6 marks
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
The student:
presents a problem statement with limited opportunities for the redesign of the product. The links to the task analysis are superficial
provides design specifications that state the requirements for the product with limited reference to the research.
3–4
The student:
describes a problem statement with some opportunities for the redesign of the product informed through the task analysis
provides design specifications that outline the requirements for the product with relevant reference to the research.
5–6
The student:
explains a problem statement with key opportunities for the redesign of the product informed through the task analysis
provides design specifications that explain the requirements for the product with relevant and detailed reference to the research.
Criterion C: Ideation and modelling
6 marks
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
The student:
presents fewer than three annotated, feasible redesign ideas to address the problem statement with limited key features
states the difference between the redesign ideas against the design specifications through testing and user feedback.
3–4
The student:
presents three of the best possible annotated, feasible redesign ideas to address the problem statement that includes some key features
describes the difference between the redesign ideas against the design specifications through testing and user feedback.
5–6
The student:
presents three of the best possible annotated, feasible redesign ideas to address the problem statement and all key features
evaluates the redesign ideas against the design specifications through testing and user feedback.
Criterion D: Designing a solution
6 marks
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
The student:
develops a fidelity model partially addressing the problem statement with limited testing against the design specifications and needs of the intended user
designs and annotates drawings showing limited detail of the intended design solution and its components to communicate to a third-party manufacturer.
3–4
The student:
develops a fidelity model satisfactorily addressing the problem statement that outlines the testing against the design specifications and the needs of the intended user
designs and annotates drawings showing adequate details of the intended design solution and its components to communicate to a third-party manufacturer.
5–6
The student:
develops a fidelity model thoroughly addressing the problem statement that evaluates the testing against all of the design specifications and the needs of the intended user
designs and annotates drawings showing comprehensive details of the intended design solution and its components to communicate to a third-party manufacturer.
Criterion E: Presenting a solution
6 marks
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
The student:
presents the redesigned solution with limited annotations of its key features
presents how the redesigned solution compares with the existing product.
3–4
The student:
presents the redesigned solution with adequate annotations of its key features
presents how the redesigned solution compares with the existing product and addresses some of the identified problems.
5–6
The student:
presents the redesigned solution with comprehensive annotations of its key features
presents how the redesigned solution compares with the existing product and comprehensively addresses the identified problems.
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.