The final stage of the IB Design Technology IA is where many students unintentionally lose marks. After months of work, it is tempting to rush submission or assume everything is finished once the product works. However, the finalisation stage is about clarity, consistency, and alignment with assessment criteria, not adding new content.
Submitting a strong IA is just as important as designing one.
Why the Final Stage Matters More Than Students Expect
Examiners assess the IA exactly as it is submitted. They do not infer meaning or fill in gaps. If something is unclear, missing, or poorly explained, it cannot earn marks — even if you “meant” to show it.
Finalisation affects:
- How clearly your design thinking is visible
- Whether iteration and testing are easy to follow
- How confidently examiners can award marks
A well-finished IA often scores higher than a more complex but poorly presented one.
Step 1: Check Alignment With the Assessment Criteria
Before submission, review the IA through the lens of IB assessment criteria, not effort.
Ask yourself:
- Is my problem statement clear and evidence-based?
- Do my design requirements come directly from research and user needs?
- Is iteration clearly explained, not just claimed?
- Is evaluation based on evidence, not opinion?
If something does not clearly support a criterion, it may not be earning marks.
Step 2: Remove Anything That Adds Length but Not Value
Finalising is often about cutting, not adding.
Common low-value content includes:
- Repeated explanations
- Research that is never used
- Screenshots or photos with no analysis
- Overly long background sections
Examiners reward clarity. Removing unnecessary content often improves scores.
Step 3: Make Iteration and Testing Easy to See
One of the most common submission problems is hidden iteration.
Before submitting:
- Ensure changes are clearly described
- Show before-and-after comparisons where possible
- Explicitly explain what changed and why
If examiners have to search for iteration, marks are often capped.
Step 4: Tighten the Evaluation Section
Final evaluation should:
- Refer directly to design requirements
- Use testing and feedback as evidence
- Acknowledge limitations honestly
- Avoid introducing new ideas
This is not the place for new design concepts. It is the place for judgement and reflection.
Step 5: Check Referencing and Academic Honesty
Before submission:
- Ensure all external sources are referenced
- Check that images are cited if not your own
- Confirm that paraphrased ideas are acknowledged
Referencing does not earn marks, but poor referencing can lose them.
Step 6: Check Presentation and Organisation
While presentation is not directly assessed, poor organisation affects clarity.
Final checks:
- Logical section order
- Clear headings and structure
- Consistent terminology
- Legible diagrams and labels
If examiners struggle to follow your work, they struggle to award marks.
Step 7: Do a “Cold Read” Test
One of the best final checks is a cold read.
Ask:
- Could someone unfamiliar with my project understand it?
- Is the design process clear without explanation?
- Are decisions justified on the page, not in my head?
If something relies on explanation outside the document, it is not secure.
Common Last-Minute Mistakes to Avoid
Students often lose marks by:
- Making rushed changes without explanation
- Adding new ideas too late
- Over-editing diagrams without updating text
- Forgetting to update evaluation after changes
Finalisation should be controlled, not reactive.
What Teachers and Moderators See
Teachers and IB moderators see:
- Thousands of projects
- Clear patterns in high-scoring work
- Immediate signs of rushed submission
Well-finished IAs stand out not because they are flashy, but because they are coherent and confident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I add more content before submission?
Only if it clearly supports assessment criteria. More content does not mean more marks.
Is it okay if my solution has flaws?
Yes. Honest evaluation of flaws often scores higher than pretending everything worked perfectly.
Can presentation lower my grade?
Indirectly, yes. Poor organisation can hide evidence and limit marks.
Final Thoughts
Finalising the IB Design Technology IA is about making your thinking visible and defensible. Students who refine clarity, remove weak content, and align closely with criteria often gain marks without adding extra work.
A strong IA does not just show what you designed — it shows how and why you designed it.
RevisionDojo Tip
RevisionDojo is the best platform for IB Design Technology students preparing final IA submission. With final-check frameworks, examiner-style marking guidance, and clarity-focused review tools, RevisionDojo helps students avoid last-minute mistakes and submit IAs that are clean, confident, and built for top marks.
