Internal Assessments (IAs) are one of the most misunderstood components of the IB Diploma. Worth 20 to 30 percent of the final grade in most subjects, IAs represent a significant scoring opportunity that many students underestimate until it is too late. Unlike exams, IAs give students time to research, draft, and refine their work, which means there is no excuse for a low score with proper planning.
What Exactly Are IB Internal Assessments?
Internal Assessments are coursework assignments assessed by your teacher and then moderated by the IB. The format varies by subject: in sciences, it is a lab report based on an original experiment. In math, it is a mathematical exploration. In English, it is an individual oral commentary. Each IA has specific criteria published in the subject guide, and hitting every criterion is the key to a strong score.
The “internal” label can be misleading. While your teacher provides the initial grade, the IB moderates a sample of IAs from every school to ensure consistency. This means your teacher’s grading is checked against international standards, and scores can be adjusted up or down.
When Should You Start Working on Your IA?
Start planning your IA topic as early as possible in Year 1 of the program. Many students wait until Year 2 to begin serious work, which creates unnecessary pressure alongside exam preparation. The ideal timeline is to have your topic selected and approved by the end of Year 1, with data collection or primary research completed over the summer. This leaves all of Year 2 for writing, refining, and polishing.
How Do You Choose a Strong IA Topic?
The best IA topics share three characteristics: they are personally interesting to the student, they are narrow enough to explore thoroughly in the word limit, and they allow for genuine analysis rather than just description.
Common mistakes include choosing topics that are too broad (the entire economy of a country), too simple (a basic titration with a predictable outcome), or too ambitious (requiring equipment or data the student cannot access). A strong Math IA, for example, might explore the mathematics behind a specific real-world pattern the student has observed, rather than attempting to prove an existing theorem.
What Do the Top-Scoring IAs Have in Common?
After reviewing hundreds of IAs across subjects, several patterns emerge in top-scoring work:
- Clear structure that maps directly to the assessment criteria
- Personal engagement that is evident but not forced
- Critical analysis that evaluates limitations honestly
- Precise academic language appropriate to the subject
- Proper citation throughout, not just in a bibliography
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should an IB Internal Assessment be?
Word limits vary by subject. The Math IA is 6 to 12 pages. Science IAs are typically 6 to 12 pages. The Economics IA portfolio consists of three commentaries of 800 words each. Always check the specific subject guide for current requirements, as limits are strictly enforced.
Can a tutor help with my IA?
Yes, but there are important boundaries. A tutor can help you brainstorm topics, understand the criteria, review drafts, and suggest improvements. They cannot write any portion of the IA or provide content that you present as your own. The IB takes academic integrity very seriously, and violations can result in losing your diploma.
What happens if I score poorly on my IA?
A weak IA score can be partially offset by strong exam performance, but it creates an uphill battle. In a subject where the IA is worth 25% of the grade, losing marks on the IA means you need to perform even better on the exam to hit your target grade. Prevention is far easier than recovery.
IB Internal Assessments reward careful planning, genuine engagement, and attention to criteria. If your child needs guidance on any stage of the IA process, from topic selection to final review, contact Polaris Tutors. Our IB-certified educators have guided students through IAs across all subjects and know exactly what moderators are looking for.