What Is Criteria B in MYP Subjects?
Criteria B in MYP subjects is the second subject-specific assessment criterion. Its meaning depends on the course. For example, it is Inquiring and designing in MYP sciences, Investigating patterns in mathematics, and Reading in language acquisition. Each criterion is normally assessed on an achievement scale from 0 to 8 using subject-specific strands and descriptors.
A science student may demonstrate Criterion B by writing a testable hypothesis, identifying variables, controlling conditions and designing a safe method. A mathematics student may meet Criterion B by identifying a pattern, testing examples and explaining a general rule.
Why Criterion B Changes by Subject
The IB does not use one universal definition of Criterion B. MYP subject groups have four criteria, labelled A, B, C and D, but each criterion reflects the skills of that discipline. Science Criterion B therefore cannot be assessed in exactly the same way as Criterion B in mathematics, design or language.
Always check your current subject guide, task sheet and teacher-provided rubric. General explanations are useful for orientation, but the exact strands and achievement-level descriptors for your course take priority.
| MYP subject | Criterion B usually focuses on | Evidence you may need to demonstrate |
|---|---|---|
| Sciences | Inquiring and designing | Hypothesis, variables, method, materials and safety |
| Mathematics | Investigating patterns | Systematic investigation, generalization and justification |
| Individuals and societies | Investigating | Focused question, action plan, information and research methods |
| Language acquisition | Reading | Interpretation of written, visual and spatial features |
| Language and literature | Organizing | Logical organization, conventions and accurate referencing |
| Design | Developing ideas | Specification and development of a feasible solution |
The letter stays the same, but the assessed skill changes.
Criterion B in Common Subjects
MYP sciences: Inquiring and designing
Science Criterion B assesses how effectively you plan an investigation. Strong work begins with a focused research question or testable hypothesis. It should explain the independent, dependent and controlled variables, the data to be collected, the materials required and why the method is appropriate.
A list of equipment is not enough for a high achievement level. Someone else should be able to understand and repeat the procedure, while also judging whether it is safe and scientifically valid. Processing results and evaluating conclusions are generally more closely associated with Criterion C, so do not confuse designing an investigation with interpreting its results.
MYP mathematics: Investigating patterns
Mathematics Criterion B focuses on discovering and explaining patterns rather than merely finding an answer. You may need to test several cases, organize results, identify relationships, form a generalization and justify why it works.
For example, when investigating diagonals in polygons, listing values for a triangle, quadrilateral and pentagon is only a starting point. A stronger response identifies the relationship, proposes a formula and explains why that rule applies to all relevant polygons, not just the examples tested.
Individuals and societies and other subjects
In individuals and societies, Criterion B focuses on research. It may require a clear question, an action plan, appropriate sources, relevant information and a response to the question. “What caused the Industrial Revolution?” is broad; “To what extent did access to coal influence industrial growth in northern England between 1780 and 1850?” provides a more workable scope.
In language acquisition, Criterion B concerns reading and constructing meaning from text features. In language and literature, it concerns organizing ideas and using conventions appropriate to purpose. In design, it involves developing ideas from a specification into a potential solution. Revise subject-specific Criterion B, not the criterion letter alone.
Command Terms and Criterion B
MYP command terms indicate the type of thinking or evidence a task requires. Common terms include identify, describe, explain, analyse, justify, formulate, investigate and evaluate.
The command term is not the criterion. Criterion B describes the broader skill, while the command term tells you what action to perform. A science task might ask you to formulate a hypothesis, while a mathematics task might ask you to justify a generalization.
Translate the instruction into a checklist:
- Formulate: state a hypothesis or question precisely.
- Explain: show how or why something happens.
- Analyse: break information into parts and show relationships.
- Justify: support a decision or conclusion with reasons or evidence.
- Evaluate: consider strengths, limitations or implications before judging.
How to Improve Your Work
- Read the Criterion B strands before starting the task.
- Rewrite each strand as an action you can demonstrate.
- Highlight every command term in the task sheet.
- Collect evidence that matches the criterion, such as a controlled variable, source choice, pattern or specification.
- Explain decisions instead of merely listing them.
- Compare your draft with the highest relevant descriptor and identify missing evidence.
Adding more content does not automatically produce a higher score. Criterion-related assessment rewards relevant, precise evidence. A concise investigation with a focused question, logical method and clear justification can be stronger than a long, unfocused response.
RevisionDojo’s MYP assessment criteria guide, guide to rubrics aligned with IB criteria and MYP revision guide can help turn descriptors into practical checks. Targeted Questionbank practice and feedback can then help you apply the rubric to new tasks.
Key Takeaways
Criterion B is the second assessment criterion, but its meaning depends on the subject. It may assess inquiry, research, patterns, reading, organization or developing ideas. Identify your course’s exact strands, follow the command terms and make the required evidence visible. Use the official subject guide and current teacher rubric as the final authority, supported by RevisionDojo’s Questionbank and rubric-focused resources.
