Internal Assessment

Every IB Diploma Programme subject includes an Internal Assessment component, which typically accounts for 20-25% of the final grade (though the exact weighting varies by subject). The IA is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate skills and knowledge that are difficult to assess through timed examinations alone, such as practical investigation, research, and creative production.

The nature of the IA varies across subjects. In the sciences, it takes the form of an individual scientific investigation (often called the "science IA" or "lab report") where students design and carry out an experiment of their own choosing. In Mathematics, students produce a mathematical exploration on a topic of personal interest. In Languages, IAs may include oral assessments or written tasks. In the Arts, portfolios, performances, or exhibitions serve as internal assessments.

Teachers mark the IA using standardized IB assessment criteria specific to each subject. These marks are then submitted to the IB for external moderation. A sample of student work from each school is reviewed by an IB-appointed moderator, who may adjust the entire cohort's marks upward or downward to align with the global standard. This process ensures that an IA marked at one school is held to the same standard as one marked at any other IB World School.

The IA is a significant component of the diploma and requires careful planning, especially in subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics where experimental design and data analysis are evaluated rigorously. Students are advised to start early, consult the subject-specific IA guidelines, and use the published assessment criteria as a roadmap for their work.