Introduction
The evaluation section is one of the most important parts of your Internal Assessment (IA). It’s where you reflect on your investigation, acknowledge limitations, and suggest improvements. Examiners don’t expect perfection in your IA, but they do expect honesty and critical reflection. A strong evaluation shows maturity and can make the difference between a mid-range and top-range score.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to write a compelling IA evaluation section, explain what examiners expect, and share common mistakes to avoid. For polished examples of evaluation done well, review RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars.
Quick Start Checklist: A Strong IA Evaluation
- Identifies key strengths of the IA
- Acknowledges limitations honestly
- Suggests realistic improvements
- Reflects on the impact of errors or weaknesses
- Connects evaluation back to the research question
Step 1: Identify Strengths
Begin your evaluation by highlighting what went well. This isn’t about bragging but showing awareness of the strengths of your IA.
Examples:
- “The experiment was repeated five times, which increased the reliability of the results.”
- “Using both primary and secondary sources provided a balanced perspective.”
Acknowledging strengths shows you understand what contributed to valid results.
Step 2: Acknowledge Limitations
Examiners know that every IA has weaknesses. Ignoring them makes your work look unrealistic. Instead, identify the most significant limitations.
Examples:
- “The small sample size reduced the generalizability of results.”
- “Some sources may have been biased, limiting the objectivity of analysis.”
- “Measurement errors in temperature may have influenced data accuracy.”
Being honest strengthens credibility.
Step 3: Suggest Improvements
Don’t just list weaknesses — suggest practical improvements.
Examples:
- “Future experiments could use a digital sensor for more precise measurements.”
- “Expanding the source base to include international perspectives would provide a broader analysis.”
Examiners reward students who think about how their IA could be stronger.
Step 4: Reflect on Impact
Critical evaluation requires explaining how limitations may have affected results.
Examples:
- “The small sample size likely exaggerated the variation in reaction times, reducing confidence in the conclusion.”
- “Relying mainly on government sources may have overstated the effectiveness of propaganda.”
Reflection shows depth of thought.
Step 5: Connect Back to the Research Question
Evaluation should always tie back to the original research question. Show examiners how limitations and strengths affected your ability to answer it.
Example:
“Although errors in measurement reduced accuracy, the overall trend still supports the hypothesis that increased light intensity accelerates photosynthesis.”
This keeps evaluation focused and examiner-friendly.
Step 6: Add Broader Reflection
For higher-level maturity, reflect on what you learned beyond the IA itself.
Examples:
- “This IA demonstrated the challenges of balancing reliability with ethical constraints.”
- “Evaluating these sources showed how historical interpretation is shaped by perspective.”
This type of reflection sets strong IAs apart.
Common Mistakes in IA Evaluations
- Listing weaknesses without explanation.
- Suggesting unrealistic improvements (“Collecting global data” when not possible).
- Avoiding limitations to seem “perfect.”
- Writing evaluation as an afterthought with little detail.
- Forgetting to connect evaluation back to the research question.
Why Exemplars Are Helpful
If you’re unsure how detailed your evaluation should be, models are the best guide. RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars include IAs with thoughtful evaluations that examiners rewarded.
FAQs on IA Evaluation Sections
1. How long should my IA evaluation section be?
Usually 300–500 words, depending on the subject and word limit.
2. Should I list every possible limitation?
No — focus on the most significant ones that impact your results or analysis.
3. What if my IA had very few weaknesses?
Every IA has limitations. Even small issues like equipment accuracy or source selection count.
4. Do improvements need to be realistic?
Yes — examiners reward practical suggestions, not impossible fixes.
5. Where can I see examples of strong IA evaluations?
Check RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars, which showcase examiner-ready evaluations.
Conclusion
A compelling IA evaluation section acknowledges strengths, identifies weaknesses, suggests improvements, and reflects on impact. By being honest, practical, and connected to your research question, you’ll show examiners maturity and critical thinking. For inspiration, explore RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars, which include strong evaluations across subjects.
Call to Action
Want to strengthen your IA evaluation? Explore RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars today and learn how top IB students reflected critically on their work.
