What are IB Internal Assessments (IA)?

The IB programme consists of numerous components, one of which is the Internal Assessment (IA). In this post, we will demystify the IA and provide you with all the essential information you need to understand it fully. 

What are IB Internal Assessments (IA)?

The Internal Assessment is an investigation into a topic chosen by the student that contributes to their final subject grade and is evaluated internally by the school. IAs are a mandatory component of every IB subject, though they may vary in shape and form across different subjects - ranging from oral work in the languages, fieldwork in geography to laboratory work in the sciences. For detailed information on the form and requirements of IAs in specific subjects, explore our extensive array of IA exemplars as well as check out our blog. 

IA Writing Process 

• The IA writing process typically begins towards the end of DP 1 (though the specific timing may vary across individual schools), when students are required to come up with appropriate research questions that they wish to investigate in their Internal Assessments 
• The students then research their topics, look for sources and often refine their research questions to more suitable ones
• Typically, the students are required to work on their IAs during the summer holidays and submit their first full drafts upon return to school 
• The students then receive feedback on their full IA drafts from their subject teachers, which they then use to complete their final IA versions

Is there a deadline for the IA?

While the IBO does not specify an official deadline, the final IA versions must typically be submitted not later than around 2 months before the exam session, with specific dates varying between schools, each setting their own internal deadlines.

How long does it take to write an IA?

On average, it takes about 40 hours to complete a full IA, including time spent conducting research, developing and refining a research question, or performing laboratory work. However, it is important to note that the time required can vary across subjects. Some IAs may take significantly longer, with the Computer Science IA, for example, known to require up to 70 hours of work.

How is the IA assessed?

As previously noted, IAs are assessed by the student's school. Naturally, some teachers may be more lenient while others may be much stricter in their grading. You may be wondering then, how is consistent and fair marking ensured? To guarantee equitable marking, a sample of IAs is sent to the IB which verifies whether the scores have been assigned fairly. If external moderators find that the Internal Assessments have been graded too leniently or strictly, they will adjust the grades accordingly for all students. 

IA weighting

The weight of the Internal Assessment on the student's final grade varies between subjects and subject levels. The weightings are as follows:

Studies in Language and Literature

Language Acquisition 

Individuals and Societies 

Sciences

Check out our free IA exemplars

View all exemplars on Clastify

Grade received: 7

Investigating the relationship between scoring average and putts per round average on the PGA Tour

Grade received: 6

Is there a correlation between the height of a basketball player (in cm) and their shooting ability measured in true shooting percentage (TS%)?

Grade received: 7

How does the mass of a marble (0.0050, 0.0100, 0.0150, 0.0200, 0.0250 kg) affect its vertical terminal velocity in a water container when dropped from a constant height measured using video analysis software?

View hundreds of other IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 7

Employing optimization to minimize amount of packaging material

Grade received: 7

To what extent did the end of the password sharing influence Netflix brand image and sales?

Grade received: 7

Exploring the method of calculating the surface area of solid of revolution and estimating the lateral surface area of the vase

Grade received: 7

What is the effect of increasing iron (III) chloride concentration (0 mg/L, 2mg/L, 4mg/L, 6mg/L, 8mg/L, 10mg/L) on the growth of duckweed (Lemna minor) in terms of change in number of leaves over 5 days?

View hundreds of other IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 6

Investigating the effect of coffee on the rate of protein digestion

Grade received: 7

Plastic Water Bottle: Finding Surface Area, Volume and Possible Optimal Shape

Grade received: 7

Modelling the surface area of a ceramic pot

Grade received: 7

Investigating the relationship between scoring average and putts per round average on the PGA Tour

Grade received: 6

Is there a correlation between the height of a basketball player (in cm) and their shooting ability measured in true shooting percentage (TS%)?

Grade received: 7

How does the mass of a marble (0.0050, 0.0100, 0.0150, 0.0200, 0.0250 kg) affect its vertical terminal velocity in a water container when dropped from a constant height measured using video analysis software?

View hundreds of other IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 7

Employing optimization to minimize amount of packaging material

Grade received: 7

To what extent did the end of the password sharing influence Netflix brand image and sales?

Grade received: 7

Exploring the method of calculating the surface area of solid of revolution and estimating the lateral surface area of the vase

Grade received: 7

What is the effect of increasing iron (III) chloride concentration (0 mg/L, 2mg/L, 4mg/L, 6mg/L, 8mg/L, 10mg/L) on the growth of duckweed (Lemna minor) in terms of change in number of leaves over 5 days?

View hundreds of other IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 6

Investigating the effect of coffee on the rate of protein digestion

Grade received: 7

Plastic Water Bottle: Finding Surface Area, Volume and Possible Optimal Shape

Grade received: 7

Modelling the surface area of a ceramic pot

Grade received: 7

Investigating the relationship between scoring average and putts per round average on the PGA Tour

Grade received: 6

Is there a correlation between the height of a basketball player (in cm) and their shooting ability measured in true shooting percentage (TS%)?

Grade received: 7

How does the mass of a marble (0.0050, 0.0100, 0.0150, 0.0200, 0.0250 kg) affect its vertical terminal velocity in a water container when dropped from a constant height measured using video analysis software?

Mathematics

Arts

We hope this post has helped in clarifying what the Internal Assessment is. Make sure to check out our IA exemplars to gain a deeper understanding of the requirements and structure specific to each subject. Good luck!