You can often tell when a family is in the middle of the MYP because dinner-table conversations start sounding like courtroom cross-examinations.
"What did you get?"
"I got a 6 in Criterion C, but only a 4 in Criterion A."
The parent nods politely, as if that explains anything.
If you're a student preparing for exams, this confusion matters more than it seems. In the MYP, understanding assessment criteria isn't a nice extra; it's the simplest way to turn effort into points. When you can see what the rubric is asking for, your revision stops being guesswork and starts becoming strategy.
This guide explains MYP assessment criteria in plain English (for parents), but it's written with you -- the exam-prepping student -- in mind. You'll learn what Criteria A-D mean, how 0-8 levels become a 1-7 grade, and how to train for rubrics the same way you train for questions.
The MYP assessment criteria in one checklist
If your parent only remembers one thing about MYP assessment, make it this:
- The MYP uses criterion-related assessment (you're measured against descriptors, not against other students).
- Most MYP subjects are graded using four criteria (A, B, C, D).
- Each criterion is scored on a 0-8 achievement level.
- The four criteria add up to a total out of 32.
- That total converts to an overall MYP grade from 1-7 using grade boundaries.
- Teachers use a best-fit judgment based on evidence across tasks, not a single moment.
If you want a deeper, school-friendly explanation to share at home, this post pairs well with [How Are IB MYP Students Graded? Criteria Explained](https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/how-are-ib-myp-students-graded-criteria-explained).
Why MYP assessment criteria feel weird at first (and why that's a good sign)
Most grading systems train you to chase a percentage. The MYP trains you to chase quality of thinking.
That's why you can study for hours, write three pages, and still not hit the top bands: the MYP isn't counting words or effort. It's checking whether your work matches specific descriptors.
The quiet upside is that MYP criteria are unusually honest. Once you know what Criterion B wants, you can practice exactly that skill. It's one of the few systems where "work smarter" isn't a motivational poster -- it's literally the rubric.
For students aiming at exam success (and eventually the DP), criteria awareness becomes a long-term advantage. It teaches you to read questions with intent, to structure answers, and to self-assess. All of that transfers directly into future IB exams.
If you're building a revision routine around that idea, start with [MYP Revision Guide: Study Tips for Success](https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/myp-revision-guide).
MYP assessment criteria A-D: what they usually mean
Here's the most parent-friendly (and student-useful) way to think about MYP criteria.
Criterion A is usually "what you know, and how well you understand it"
In many subjects, Criterion A asks: do you understand the key concepts, and can you use them accurately?
For a student, this is where definitions, key terms, and correct subject language matter. If your parent says "But you studied the content," and you're thinking "Yes, but I didn't use it precisely," that's often a Criterion A gap.
A practical MYP revision move: build quick topic summaries, then test yourself with short, high-precision questions.
RevisionDojo helps here because you can pair Study Notes with targeted practice. For example, MYP science students can jump into subject pages like [MYP Biology Notes](https://www.revisiondojo.com/myp/myp-biology?view=notes) and revise content in the same structure you'll be assessed on.
Criterion B is usually "how you apply skills and process"
Criterion B often rewards method.
In Sciences, that might be investigation skills. In Math, it might be choosing and applying a strategy. In Language and Literature, it might be organizing an argument. This is why two students can "know the same stuff" but score differently: Criterion B notices the process, not the vibes.
A practical MYP revision move: don't just do questions -- do them with a repeatable method. Time yourself. Check structure. Improve the steps.
This is where a Questionbank is powerful because it gives you enough reps to make your process automatic. If you want a clean place to practice under pressure, use [Questionbank by RevisionDojo](https://www.revisiondojo.com/feature/questionbank).
Criterion C is usually "communication (and sometimes analysis/creating)"
Criterion C is the one that surprises families.
Parents often assume communication means "write neatly" or "speak clearly." In the MYP, communication is usually deeper: clarity of reasoning, correct conventions, effective structure, and sometimes adapting to audience and purpose.
For students, this becomes a cheat code: if your ideas are good but messy, you can raise your level quickly by tightening how you present them.
A practical MYP revision move: practice answering with a template (PEEL, CER, paragraph frames, lab report headings), then gradually remove the training wheels.
Criterion D is usually "reflection, evaluation, transfer"
Criterion D asks whether you can look back at your work and judge it intelligently.
This might show up as evaluating sources, reflecting on limitations, proposing improvements, or discussing implications. Parents often see this as "extra writing," but it's actually where MYP grades reward maturity.
A practical MYP revision move: after each practice task, write a short "examiner voice" note: what worked, what didn't, and what you'd change next time. Then apply it in your next attempt.
You'll see Criterion D thinking strongly in project-based assessments too, like the Personal Project. If that's on your radar, [Writing an Outstanding MYP Personal Project Report](https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/writing-an-outstanding-myp-personal-project-report) breaks down the criteria in a way that maps directly to scoring.
How MYP 0-8 levels turn into a 1-7 grade
This is where most parent confusion peaks.
In the MYP, you receive an achievement level (0-8) for each criterion. Those four numbers add up to a total out of 32. Then your teacher converts that total into a final grade out of 7 using grade boundaries.
So if you score 6, 5, 7, 6 across A-D, your total is 24/32, which typically converts to a 6 overall.
It's not magic. It's just a conversion table.
If your family wants a simple reference for what "good" looks like, [What Is a Good MYP Score? Understanding the IB Middle Years Programme Grading](https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/what-is-a-good-myp-score-understanding-the-ib-middle-years-programme-grading) gives a clear interpretation of totals and readiness for what comes next.
The best-fit approach: why one bad test doesn't define your MYP
A quiet truth about MYP assessment: teachers aren't supposed to average your life.
They collect evidence across tasks, then decide the best-fit level for each criterion based on patterns. That's why you can improve over time and still finish strong.
For students preparing for exams, this matters because it changes the mindset:
- You're not trying to "win" every task.
- You're trying to show a consistent level by the end.
- You're trying to remove obvious weaknesses in one criterion.
Parents often worry that a low Criterion A early in the year is permanent. In the MYP, it's more like a snapshot. The system is built for growth -- if you use it.
If you want to understand how schools communicate these results and what reports are actually saying, [Evaluation and Reporting in the MYP: Best Practices](https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/evaluation-and-reporting-in-the-myp-best-practices) is worth skimming.
How to revise for MYP criteria (not just topics)
If your goal is exam performance, revise like the rubric is your coach.
Train each MYP criterion with one repeatable habit
- MYP Criterion A: daily 10-minute active recall (definitions, key concepts, examples).
- MYP Criterion B: do questions using a fixed method; compare with mark schemes; refine steps.
- MYP Criterion C: practice structured answers; aim for clarity and correct conventions.
- MYP Criterion D: write a short evaluation after every practice task; use it to improve the next one.
Use tools that mirror how MYP assessment works
This is where RevisionDojo becomes practical, not promotional.
- Use the Questionbank to drill skills until Criterion B feels automatic: [Questionbank](https://www.revisiondojo.com/feature/questionbank).
- Use Flashcards for Criterion A recall and command terms: [Flashcards](https://www.revisiondojo.com/feature/flashcards).
- Use AI Chat when you're stuck on what a criterion is asking (or what "evaluate" really means in your subject): start at [RevisionDojo](https://www.revisiondojo.com).
- Use Mock Exams and Predicted Papers to practice the feeling of time pressure and rubric alignment (especially for MYP eAssessment-style performance): explore [Middle Years Program (MYP)](https://www.revisiondojo.com/myp).
- Use Grading tools to get fast feedback loops on written responses (the fastest way to lift Criterion C and D over a month): available via [RevisionDojo](https://www.revisiondojo.com).
- Use the Coursework Library and Tutors when you need models and human calibration, especially near the finish line: see [For parents - RevisionDojo](https://www.revisiondojo.com/parents) for a parent-facing overview.
A short "parent translation" you can actually use at home
When parents ask, "Why isn't this a percentage?" they're really asking for certainty.
Try this translation:
- "In MYP, each subject has four criteria. Each criterion is scored 0-8 using a rubric."
- "Those four scores add to a total out of 32."
- "That total becomes a grade 1-7."
- "So to improve, I don't just study more; I practice the exact skills the rubric describes."
That last line is usually the moment they stop worrying and start supporting.
FAQ: MYP assessment criteria explained (the questions everyone asks)
How many MYP assessment criteria are there, and are they the same in every subject?
In the MYP, most subject groups use four assessment criteria labeled A, B, C, and D. Each criterion is worth the same maximum score (up to 8), which is why you'll often hear "out of 32" for a unit or reporting period. The labels A-D are consistent, but the focus inside each criterion changes by subject. For example, Criterion B in Sciences might emphasize investigation and processing, while Criterion B in Mathematics might emphasize problem-solving and patterns. That's why students can't just memorize "Criterion C equals communication" and stop there; you need the subject's descriptors. For exam prep, the smart move is to collect the criterion descriptors for each subject and treat them like a mini-syllabus. When you practice with the MYP in mind, you're practicing the rubric, not just the content.
What does "0-8 achievement level" actually mean in the MYP?
A 0-8 achievement level in the MYP is not a percentage and it's not a ranking. It's a descriptor level that matches how well your work fits the rubric statements. A level 7-8 generally means your work is consistently sophisticated, accurate, and well-justified, while a level 3-4 often means you're showing partial success and need more consistency. Students sometimes panic when they see a 5 and assume it's "average," but in MYP terms, a 5 can reflect strong performance depending on the task and subject. Parents often misread the number because they're translating it into a different grading culture. The best way to make the number meaningful is to read the descriptor next to it and ask, "What would a 6 look like next time?" That question turns MYP assessment into a clear improvement plan.
How can a student improve MYP grades quickly using assessment criteria?
The fastest improvements in MYP grades usually come from targeting the weakest criterion rather than spreading effort evenly. If Criterion A is low, the solution is usually clearer content knowledge and more precise terminology, which responds well to flashcards and active recall. If Criterion B is low, the solution is often method: doing more structured practice and checking steps against mark schemes. If Criterion C is low, students should focus on structure, clarity, and conventions, because communication improves quickly with templates and feedback. If Criterion D is low, students should practice evaluation sentences: limitations, implications, next steps, and reflection tied to evidence. The key is that MYP criteria tell you exactly where your points are leaking. When you build revision around the criteria, you stop studying in circles and start studying like an examiner.
Closing: turn the MYP rubric into your advantage
The MYP can feel like a foreign language at first: criteria, strands, levels, boundaries. But once you understand it, the system becomes unusually fair. It tells you what matters, then rewards you for practicing it.
If you're preparing for exams, treat MYP assessment criteria like a map. Use Criterion A-D to plan your week, choose practice that matches your gaps, and build feedback loops that make improvement inevitable. And if you want that process in one place -- Questionbank, Study Notes, Flashcards, AI Chat, Grading tools, Predicted Papers, Mock Exams, Coursework Library, and Tutors -- RevisionDojo is built to make MYP preparation feel structured, not stressful.
Start by revising one criterion today. The MYP rewards students who can do that consistently.
Internal Links Used
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/how-are-ib-myp-students-graded-criteria-explained
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/myp-revision-guide
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/evaluation-and-reporting-in-the-myp-best-practices
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/writing-an-outstanding-myp-personal-project-report
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/blog/what-is-a-good-myp-score-understanding-the-ib-middle-years-programme-grading
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/feature/questionbank
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/feature/flashcards
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/myp/myp-biology?view=notes
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/myp
- https://www.revisiondojo.com/parents
