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Paper 1 is the first examination you'll face in IB Computer Science. In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of IB Computer Science Paper 1, ensuring you are familiarized with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect for the first assessment in 2027.
IB Computer Science Paper 1
At SL, Paper 1 accounts for 35% of the student's final subject grade, while for HL it accounts for 40%.
SL students have 1 hour 15 minutes, while HL students are given 2 hours to complete Paper 1.
Paper 1 consists of two sections, and all questions are compulsory.
Section A focuses on extended-response questions linked to Theme A: Concepts of computer science.
Section B is based on a pre-seen case study. For SL, it includes short-response questions and two challenge questions. For HL, it includes both short- and extended-response questions and four challenge questions.
Sample Questions: Section A
Section A tests your knowledge of Theme A: Computer fundamentals, Networks, Databases, and Machine learning.
Standard Level (SL)
Describe the role of the Control Unit (CU) and the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) during the fetch-execute cycle. [4]
Explain the differences between a Local Area Network (LAN) and a Virtual Private Network (VPN). [4]
Construct a truth table for the following Boolean expression:
(A AND B) OR (NOT C). [4]Outline two benefits of using a relational database instead of a flat-file system for a school management system. [4]
Identify two ethical implications of using machine learning for medical imaging diagnostics. [2]
Higher Level (HL)
Evaluate the use of paged memory management versus segmented memory management in a multitasking operating system. [6]
Explain how a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) can be utilized for non-graphics tasks, such as training machine learning models. [4]
Construct a database normalized to the Third Normal Form (3NF) based on a provided unnormalized table of employee records. [6]
Discuss the effectiveness of asymmetric cryptography in securing data transmissions over an insecure network. [6]
Explain the role of hyperparameter tuning in preventing overfitting when training a supervised learning algorithm. [4]
Sample Questions: Section B
Section B is based on the pre-seen case study scenario.
Standard Level (SL)
Identify two hardware components mentioned in the case study that are essential for the system's operation. [2]
Outline one way the developers in the case study could address the security concern regarding unauthorized data access. [2]
Evaluate the strategy proposed in the case study to solve the primary challenge question. [8]
Higher Level (HL)
Explain how the distributed database architecture described in the case study ensures data consistency across different geographical locations. [4]
Compare two different machine learning approaches mentioned in the case study for predicting the outcomes specified in Challenge 3. [6]
Justify the selection of a specific emerging technology to address the fourth challenge question presented in the case study. [10]
How to succeed in Computer Science Paper 1?
To excel in IB Computer Science Paper 1, you must develop a deep conceptual understanding of Theme A. Focus on the linking questions in the guide to see how different topics, like networks and databases, intersect. For Section B, it is critical to conduct thorough research into the pre-seen case study and its specific challenge questions well before the exam. Practice moving beyond simple definitions to evaluating and justifying technical solutions in varied real-world contexts.
We hope you found this post helpful in learning more about the IB Computer Science Paper 1. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
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