Internal Assessment (IA) is a core component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programme. While these assessments are marked internally, the grades are moderated by IB examiners to ensure fairness across all schools. In this article, we will break down the IA marking rubric so you have a better idea of what your teachers are looking out for in the IA.
- Who Grades the IA?
- What are the IA Rubrics?
- FAQs
Who Grades the IA?
IAs are graded internally, meaning that your own teachers mark your IAs. Using the IA rubric for the respective subject, they evaluate the final score of your IA.
Some IAs are then externally moderated by the IB to ensure that there is the same marking standard across all schools. How are IA marks moderated?
- IB examiners compare their score to your own teachers', then adjust the scores till it's fair.
- For example, if your school sends 10 IAs to be moderated and the majority of them are marked lower than the IB markers' scores, the your whole cohort's IA marks will increase.
Manoj Arachige
What are the IA Rubrics?
A rubric essentially tells markers what score should be given based on what you have written. Here are the rubrics for the most popular IB subjects (Math, English, Chemistry and Biology).
1. Math IA Rubric
The math rubric contains 5 main parts:
| Presentation (/4) | Mathematical Communication (/4) | Personal Engagement (/3) | Reflection (/3) | Use of Mathematics (/6) |
| Assess the organisation and coherence of your exploration. | Assesses your mathematical language. | Includes thinking independently and creatively | Involves reviewing, analysing and evaluating your exploration. | Involves the use of mathematics. |
| Structure it in a way that is logically developed and easy to follow: - Introduction - Body - Conclusion | Use accurate and consistent mathematical terminology, symbols and notation. | Connect the IAs exploration subject to your own personal interest. | Have a final evaluation. | Use relevant mathematics based on your level (SL or HL). |
| Relevant graphs, tables, and diagrams must be used to accompany the work. | Explain key terms, variables and concepts | Must formulate predictions and conduct tests. | Analyse both the strengths and weaknesses of the exploration. | Any math beyond the syllabus must be clarified and explained |
| All calculations are explained, and the data used is described. | Explore the topic from various viewpoints | Include suggestions for improvements. | The math explored is correct. | |
| Must represent your math in various forms – including formulas, graphs, tables, etc. | Expansions to the study are present. | All calculations must have explanations. | ||
| Evaluation links back to the initial objective of the report. | Unnecessary math is avoided. |
Manoj Arachige
2. English IA Rubric
| Knowledge, understanding and interpretation (/10) | Analysis and Evaluation (/10) | Coherence, balance, focus and organisation (/10) | Language (/10) |
| Grades how well the student shows knowledge and understanding of the extracts, and the literary work and non-literacy body of work from which they were taken. | Marks the extent to which your oral analyses and evaluates how the author presents the global issue through the authorial choices in the extracts. | Centred around how coherent, balanced and focused your oral is. | Grades your vocabulary, jargon, and effectiveness. |
| Show perceptive knowledge and understanding of the text. | Show insightful analysis and evaluation of how authors present global issues through authorial choices in the extract and body of work | Show effective coherence, balance, and focus. This means spending equal amount of time analysing each text and focusing on the authorial choices which present your global issue. | Be accurate and varied in your vocabulary, style, syntax and terminology. |
| Your interpretations are consistently relevant to your global issue. | |||
| You effectively support your points with convincing references to extracts and body of work. |
Manoj Arachige
3. Chemistry and Biology IA Rubric
The Chemistry and Biology IA (SL and HL) rubrics are the same and contain 4 main parts:
| Research Design (/6) | Analysis and Evaluation (/6) | Conclusion (/6) | Evaluation (/6) |
| Assesses how well-structured your investigation process is. | Grades how you process and interpret the data to formulate a conclusion. | Revolves around your final conclusion. | This is the evaluation section. |
| Have a clearly defined research question. | Clearly communicate how the data was recorded and processed. | Provide a conclusion that is relevant to the research question and is consistent with the data analysis | Relative strengths of the report and investigation. |
| Discuss background theory relevant to your research question. | Communicate how the data was recorded and processed. | Ensure your conclusion is supported and justified by the analysis you conducted Incorporate accepted literature values and compare them to your resultsInterpret the uncertainties and outliers. | Methodology weaknesses or limitations and possible solutions to them. |
| Explain the methodology thoroughly. This includes the apparatus used, the procedure and why, the measurement units. | All graphs, tables and figures are labelled, and annotated, use the correct units and have standard decimal places. | Explanations of the relative impacts of the methodological weakness on the data and uncertainties. | |
| Address the safety, ethical, and environmental issues. | Consider uncertainties. | Identify realistic improvements of the investigation that relate to the identified weaknesses and limitations. | |
| Avoid unnecessary or repetitive information. | Should not have major inaccuracies or inconsistencies. | Discuss a proposed extension to further investigate your topic |
Conclusion
To ensure your IA is meeting the requirements constantly refer to the rubric and compare your responses with high-level exemplars. If you want extra feedback, KIS Academics offers assignment marking which is one of the best ways to improve your IA Score.
This concludes how the rubric works for the most popular IB subjects. Good luck with your IAs! With enough effort and constant reference to the rubric, you can score a 7 in your IAs.
FAQs
How are IAs Assessed?
- It can come in various forms depending on what subject it is.
- Assessments range from oral presentations, essays, research projects etc.
How Important are the IAs?
- Very! They contribute to your final IB scores!
- This ranges from 20-30% depending on the subject, and whether or not you're doing SL or HL subjects.
How to Ace my IAs?
- Consistent effort in class. This means paying attention during lessons, taking notes, revise consistently, and most important, ask questions when you're unsure.
- Get additional help from a peer or a tutor if you really need that extra support!
Written by Sameer Baad, who scored above 40 for his IBs. Sameer pursued a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics at the University of Queensland.
Want more personalized study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor from KIS Academics can make the biggest difference!
