Click here to explore thousands of examiner marked IA, EE and TOK exemplars!
![Physics IA Criteria and Checklist [2025 updated] cover image](https://d5wyp2frzhena.cloudfront.net/webp/0_1_010f3630d7.webp)
Physics IA Criteria and Checklist
Are you feeling the pressure of the Physics IA deadline? We are here to offer our expertise in ensuring that your investigation aligns with the assessment criteria. Check out our recommendations drawn from extensive experience with countless revised essays. This post covers the new Science IA syllabus starting from the May 2025 exam session.
The Physics internal assessment, worth 20% of the final score, is graded for a total of 24 points. The assessment consists of the following:
Criterion A: Research Design - 6 points
First, you must identify the topic and describe a relevant, fully focused research question. Next, provide background information and show your understanding of the context of the investigation. It is expected that you choose an appropriate methodology taking into account the reliability and sufficiency of the collected data. Apart from explaining and justifying your choice of methodology, you should list the apparatus and describe consecutive steps to conduct your research. Remember to demonstrate awareness of safety, ethical or environmental issues in your report.
For a maximum of 6 points:
The research question must state the dependent and independent variables or two correlated variables and briefly describe the system in which the research question is embedded - describe the method of analysis.
Discuss background theory of direct relevance to the research question.
Explain the selection of methods for measuring the independent and dependent variables.
If data is obtained through the school's large-scale activity, treat the investigation as a database investigation and focus the methodology on the way the data is filtered and sampled from the whole database.
Explain the selection of the database or the method of data sampling.
Discuss decisions regarding the scope, quantity, and quality of measurements, for example, the range, interval or frequency of the independent variable, repetition and precision of measurements.
Identify the control variables and explain the method and reason of control.
Address the safety, ethical and environmental issues associated with the investigation.
Ensure the methodology includes precise procedural steps and names of materials, and is detailed enough to allow for the investigation to be reproduced.
Avoid including unnecessary or repetitive information in the methodology so the reader may easily understand how the methodology was implemented.
A good example of research design can be found here.
Criterion B: Data Analysis - 6 points
The analysis consists of selecting, processing and interpreting the data in order to answer the research question. First of all, your report must include sufficient raw data that could support arguments. Make sure that the data processing includes accuracy and that you take into account measurement uncertainties. Look for trends, patterns and anomalies within the data, and interpret them to later form a valid conclusion.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Clearly communicate how the data was recorded and processed so that all steps are easily understood.
Communicate how the data was recorded and processed in a precise manner. All graphs, tables and figures are appropriately annotated and the correct units, decimal places and significant figures are used.
Show evidence of appropriate consideration of uncertainties.
The work should not have any major inaccuracies, omissions, or inconsistencies that would prevent or limit the possibility of drawing a valid conclusion.
The processing of the data is relevant to the research question and is carried out appropriately and accurately.
A good example of this can be found here.
Criterion C: Conclusion - 6 points
You are expected to formulate a conclusion answering your research question based on the obtained findings and scientific context. Ensure to use experimental values from the data analysis in the conclusion and critically evaluate the data. You should ensure that you provide a comparison of your experimental values to literature results.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Provide a conclusion that is relevant to the research question and is consistent with the data analysis presented.
Ensure that the conclusion is fully supported and justified by the data analysis results.
Include a relevant comparison to the accepted scientific literature such as published papers, values, course notes, textbooks, or other outside sources (paper or online).
Provide a sufficiently detailed citation of the published materials to allow these sources to be traceable.
Include the interpretation of processed data including associated uncertainties.
A good example of this can be found here.
Criterion D: Evaluation - 6 points
Evaluate the strong and weak aspects of your investigation and propose how to improve your methodology. You are also supposed to think of possible extensions of your study.
For a maximum of 6 points:
Discuss the relevant strengths of the report and investigation.
Identify specific methodological weaknesses or limitations.
Explain the relative impacts of the methodological weaknesses regarding the control of variables, the precision of measurement, or the variation in the data.
Explain the relative impacts of the methodological weaknesses regarding the conclusion being limited in scope by the range of the data collected, the confines of the system, or the applicability of the assumptions made.
Identify realistic improvements to the investigation that are relevant to the identified weaknesses or limitations.
Explain the proposed improvements to the investigation.
A good example of this can be found here.
Other Requirements
Maintain a clear structure of the essay, keep within the 3000-word limit, and ensure that the text is justified and data is centred in tables' cells.
Ensure the work does not surpass 3000 words.
The title of the investigation must be stated at the start of the report.
The IB candidate code for the individual (or group members if applicable) is provided at the beginning of the document.
Ensure the word count is stated at the start of the work.
Make sure the text is justified in the document, and all text and data are centred in tables' cells.
All pages must be numbered.
A good example of this can be found here.
Use the above checklist to improve your IA. If you would like to receive personalized feedback update your internal assessment in the Review section. We are here to support you through the entire writing process!
The Fast Track To Your
Best IB Coursework & College Essays
All content on this website has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. International Baccalaureate and IB are registered trademarks owned by the International Baccalaureate Organization.