Read the official IB Digital Society 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
Digital Society · All · Inquiry project
5 criteriaTotal 24 marks
Criterion A: Inquiry focus
3 marks
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1
The focus is limited and/or incomplete.
The focus does not include all required elements and/or the real-world example is not specific or relevant to the inquiry.
2
The focus is adequate.
The focus includes an inquiry question and a partial explanation of its connection to a specific, relevant real-world example and course concepts, content and contexts.
3
The focus is appropriate and targeted.
The focus includes an inquiry question and a thorough explanation of its connection to a specific, relevant real-world example and course concepts, content and contexts.
Criterion B: Sources
6 marks
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
The discussion of claims and perspectives is limited and primarily descriptive in nature. Fewer than three sources are discussed or there is no justification for their use in the inquiry.
3–4
There is a partial discussion of the claims and perspectives for each source that includes some justification for their usefulness in the inquiry, but this is not fully developed.
5–6
There is a thorough discussion of the claims and perspectives for each source that includes a clear justification for their usefulness in the inquiry.
Criterion C: Analysis and evaluation
6 marks
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
There is limited analysis and evaluation which is primarily descriptive in nature or of limited relevance to the inquiry focus.
3–4
The student’s analysis and evaluation of impacts and implications for people and communities is adequate, but this is not always sustained or well-supported.
5–6
The student’s analysis and evaluation of impacts and implications for people and communities is effective, sustained and well-supported by evidence.
Criterion D: Trends and developments
6 marks
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2
The conclusion is limited with little further insight into the inquiry focus. Emerging trends and future developments are referenced with limited or no discussion.
3–4
The conclusion provides adequate further insight into the inquiry focus with a partial discussion of emerging trends and future developments.
5–6
The conclusion provides effective and well-supported further insight into the inquiry focus with a thorough and substantiated discussion of emerging trends and future developments.
Criterion E: Communication
3 marks
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1
Communication is limited.
The presentation’s organization and use of media are limited and do not support understanding.
2
Communication is adequate.
The presentation is adequately organized and the use of media is at times coherent but this is not sustained or only partially effective in supporting understanding.
3
Communication is effective.
The presentation is well-organized and coherently uses media to support understanding.
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.