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Official IB World Religions IA criteria

Read the official IB World Religions 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

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Official criteria

World Religions · SL · Individual Assignment

4 criteriaTotal 20 marks

Criterion A: Presentation

4 marks
  • 1-2

    A research question has been stated The presentation of the research dossier lacks clarity and coherence. The organization of the chosen source material makes the research dossier difficult to follow

  • 3-4

    An appropriate research question has been clearly stated The research dossier is clearly and effectively presented, with the chosen source material presented in a well-organized and effective way

Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding

4 marks
  • 1-2

    The candidate demonstrates some knowledge and understanding of the topic The candidate demonstrates some understanding of the chosen sources

  • 3-4

    The candidate demonstrates very good knowledge and understanding of the topic The candidate demonstrates a clear understanding of the chosen sources

Criterion C: Selection and justification of relevant source material

6 marks
  • 1-2

    The candidate has selected a limited range of sources for inclusion in the research dossier The candidate provides little or no justification of the reasons for the inclusion of the chosen sources

  • 3-4

    The candidate has selected a satisfactory range of sources for inclusion in the research dossier The candidate provides some justification of the reasons for the inclusion of the chosen sources

  • 5-6

    The candidate has selected a wide range of sources for inclusion in the research dossier The candidate provides clear justification of the reasons for the inclusion of the chosen sources

Criterion D: Analysis and evaluation

6 marks
  • 1-2

    There is little or no evaluation of the relevance and importance of the chosen sources The analysis lacks clarity and coherence. There is no conclusion, or the conclusion is not consistent with the argument and evidence presented

  • 3-4

    There is some evaluation of the relevance and importance of the chosen sources There is some analysis, although this may lack clarity, and this leads to a reasoned conclusion

  • 5-6

    There is clear evaluation of the relevance and importance of the chosen sources The analysis is clear and coherent, and leads to a reasoned conclusion

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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