What Are IB Science Practical Exams?
In the IB Diploma Programme, Group 4 sciences—Biology, Chemistry, and Physics—do not include a traditional practical “exam day.” Instead, students complete a Practical Internal Assessment (IA), a written scientific investigation that assesses experimental and analytical skills over time.
This IA is a core, mandatory component set by the International Baccalaureate, and it contributes approximately 20–24% of your final subject grade, depending on the science.
Rather than testing speed in a lab under exam pressure, the IB science IA evaluates how well you can think and work like a scientist.
What the IB Science IA Involves
Your science IA is a report-based investigation where you:
- Design a focused experiment
- Collect and process primary data
- Analyse results using scientific reasoning
- Evaluate limitations and improvements
- Communicate findings clearly and accurately
The emphasis is on process and thinking, not on whether your results match a textbook expectation.
What Examiners Look For
IB examiners assess your IA using criterion-based marking. High-scoring investigations consistently show:
- A clear, testable research question
- A replicable methodology with controlled variables
- Accurate data collection and processing
- Logical, evidence-based analysis and evaluation
- Clear scientific communication, including graphs, tables, and citations
Marks are awarded for quality of reasoning, not for “perfect” data.
