Introduction
With the removal of Paper 3 from the new IB Computer Science syllabus, HL students now focus entirely on Paper 1 (Concepts & Case Study) and Paper 2 (Computational Thinking & Problem Solving). Together, they account for 80% of your final grade Preparing effectively for both papers is essential if you want to score a 7.
In this guide, we’ll walk through each paper’s structure, share proven strategies for preparation, and explain how RevisionDojo resources can help you master content, timing, and exam techniques.
Overview of HL Paper 1 & Paper 2
According to the IB's latest assessment model:
Paper 1 (HL)
- Lasts 2 hours and contributes 40% of your final grade
- Divided into:
- Section A: Core concepts (systems, networks, databases, machine learning) — short and extended responses.
- Section B: Case-study-based questions, requiring analysis, ethical evaluation, and application.
Paper 2 (HL)
- Lasts 2 hours, worth 40% of your grade
- Focuses on problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and programming. There are different versions for Java and Python students
Quick Start Checklist
To prepare effectively:
- Know the structure and weightings of each paper.
- Practice both short-answer theory and extended-case study responses.
- Master pseudocode and algorithm-writing, tailored to your language (Java or Python).
