Many IB Design Technology students assume that their IA mark depends largely on their teacher’s personal opinion. In reality, teachers follow strict IB criteria, and their marks are closely checked through moderation. Understanding how teachers mark the IA helps students focus on what actually earns marks — and avoid wasting time on low-impact work.
Who Marks the IB Design Technology IA?
The marking process has two stages:
- Internal marking by your Design Technology teacher
- External moderation by the IB
Teachers assign marks using IB assessment criteria, and IB moderators review a sample of projects to ensure marks are consistent with global standards. If marking is too lenient or too harsh, IB can adjust marks.
This system means teachers must justify every mark they award.
What Teachers Are Actually Looking For
Teachers do not mark based on:
- How complex your product is
- How expensive your materials are
- How visually impressive your prototype looks
They mark based on evidence of design thinking, justification, testing, and evaluation. Teachers are trained to look for the same things examiners look for.
How Teachers Use the Assessment Criteria
Although the IA is presented as one project, teachers mentally break it into assessable components.
They look for:
- A clear, user-focused problem
- Relevant and applied research
- Justified design decisions
- Evidence of testing and iteration
- Honest, evidence-based evaluation
Each section contributes to the overall level awarded.
Why Justification Matters So Much
Teachers consistently reward students who explain why decisions were made.
High marks come from:
- Linking choices to user needs
- Using research to support decisions
- Explaining changes after testing
Statements without justification, even if the decision is sensible, earn few marks because teachers cannot award marks without evidence.
How Teachers Judge Iteration
Iteration is one of the easiest ways for teachers to differentiate between mid-level and high-level work.
Teachers look for:
- Clear evidence of change
- Logical reasons for changes
- Improvements based on testing or feedback
Projects that look polished but show little development often score lower than less refined projects with strong iteration.
How Teachers Approach Evaluation
Evaluation carries significant weight in teacher marking.
Strong evaluation:
- Refers back to design requirements
- Uses testing results and user feedback
- Acknowledges weaknesses honestly
- Suggests realistic improvements
Teachers are trained to recognise when evaluation is reflective versus when it is simply descriptive.
What Happens During IB Moderation
After teachers submit marks, IB moderators:
- Review a sample of student work
- Compare it against global standards
- Check whether marks are justified
If moderators see consistent over-marking or under-marking, all students’ IA marks can be adjusted. This is why teachers tend to mark cautiously and stick closely to criteria.
Common Reasons Teachers Lower Marks
Teachers often reduce marks when they see:
- Vague problem statements
- Research that is not used
- Minimal iteration
- Claims without evidence
- Overly positive evaluation
These issues make it difficult for teachers to justify high marks during moderation.
How to Make Teachers Confident in Your IA
To help teachers award high marks confidently:
- Make justification easy to find
- Clearly label testing and iteration
- Use evidence consistently
- Keep explanations concise and focused
When teachers can clearly see how your work meets criteria, they are far more comfortable awarding top-level marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can teachers help you improve your IA?
Teachers can give guidance and feedback, but they cannot tell you exactly what to write. All decisions and explanations must be your own.
Do teachers compare students against each other?
No. Teachers assess each IA individually against IB criteria, not against classmates.
Can moderation lower your mark?
Yes, but strong, well-justified projects are rarely affected. Clear evidence protects your mark.
Final Thoughts
Teachers do not mark IB Design Technology IAs based on opinion or product quality. They mark based on evidence, justification, and alignment with IB criteria. Students who understand this can design their projects to make high marks unavoidable.
RevisionDojo Tip
RevisionDojo is the best platform for IB Design Technology students who want criterion-focused IA guidance, clear examples of examiner-level work, and strategies to make marking straightforward for teachers. When your IA is easy to justify, RevisionDojo helps ensure it earns the marks it deserves.
