Does MYP Physics have four criteria in every year?

Yes, MYP Physics uses the four MYP Sciences criteria throughout the programme: A, B, C and D. The objectives and descriptors are adapted to the appropriate stage of the programme, with published requirements for key MYP years. Schools may clarify interim expectations for other years while preserving the structure of the Sciences framework. The level of independence, scientific reasoning and evaluation expected should increase as students progress. Students must therefore use the rubric provided for their particular year rather than applying Year 5 wording to every task.

Are all four MYP Physics criteria assessed on every assignment?

No, an individual assignment does not necessarily assess all four criteria. A topic test may focus mainly on Criterion A, while an investigation can assess Criteria B and C. A research-based evaluation of a scientific application may focus on Criterion D. Across the reporting period, however, teachers need sufficient evidence to make a defensible judgment for every required criterion. Students should check the task sheet before beginning so they know which criteria and strands must be demonstrated.

Is an MYP Physics criterion scored from 1 to 8 or 0 to 8?

The achievement descriptors cover levels 1 to 8, but level 0 is available when the work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors. This is why school rubrics commonly display the complete range as 0-8. A level of 0 does not mean that the student completed exactly zero percent of the task. It indicates that the submitted evidence did not satisfy the level 1-2 descriptor. Teachers must base the decision on the published criterion language and the evidence in the work.

What criterion total is normally needed for a grade 7 in MYP Physics?

Under the standard classroom MYP conversion table, a combined criterion total of 28-32 out of 32 produces a grade 7. A student could reach 28 with levels such as 7, 7, 6 and 8, so four perfect scores are not required. However, the total usually demands consistently strong performance across all four criteria. This classroom boundary should not be used automatically for the official on-screen eAssessment, which is marked using raw examination marks. The IB sets eAssessment grade boundaries for each subject and examination session.

Do MYP Physics eAssessment grade boundaries change?

Official MYP Physics eAssessment boundaries can vary between examination sessions. The IB reviews the examination's demands and student evidence before establishing the raw-mark thresholds for grades. This helps preserve a comparable performance standard when papers differ slightly in difficulty. Consequently, a boundary from a past session can support practice estimates but cannot guarantee a future result. Coordinators should use the official subject and session documentation rather than an unofficial universal percentage table.

Can a student get a high MYP Physics grade by being strong only in Criterion A?

Strong Criterion A performance helps, but it is not enough for the highest overall classroom grades if the other criteria remain weak. All four Sciences criteria are equally weighted in the criterion total. For example, levels of 8, 4, 4 and 4 produce only 20 out of 32, which falls within the standard grade 5 range. Students also need to design investigations, process and evaluate evidence, and discuss the implications of science. Balanced practice is therefore more effective than concentrating exclusively on factual recall and calculations.

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MYP Physics Number of Criteria: Grading Explained

MYP Physics Assessment MYP IB Physics IB Grading

Michael R.

• 11 Sept 2026•10

MYP Physics Number of Criteria: Grading Explained

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MYP Physics Number of Criteria: Grading Explained | RevisionDojo

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MYP Physics Number of Criteria: Grading Explained

MYP Physics Assessment MYP IB Physics IB Grading

Michael R.

• 11 Sept 2026•10

MYP Physics has four assessment criteria, labelled A, B, C and D. Each criterion has a maximum achievement level of 8, producing a classroom criterion total out of 32.

Physics follows the common MYP Sciences criteria rather than a physics-only framework. Students must demonstrate scientific knowledge, investigation design, data analysis and reflection on the implications of science. This article explains each criterion, classroom grading and the different system used for MYP Physics eAssessment.

The four MYP Physics criteria

The four criteria are equally important. Although one classroom task may assess only one or two criteria, students need opportunities to demonstrate all four during the reporting period.

Criterion	Official focus	What students demonstrate	Maximum level
A	Knowing and understanding	Explain physics, apply knowledge and make scientifically supported judgments	8
B	Inquiring and designing	Formulate questions and hypotheses, identify variables and design investigations	8
C	Processing and evaluating	Present and interpret data, evaluate methods and propose improvements	8
D	Reflecting on the impacts of science	Explain applications, evaluate implications and document sources	8

Criterion A: Knowing and understanding

Criterion A assesses more than factual recall. Students must explain relevant physics, apply principles in familiar and unfamiliar situations, and analyse information to reach justified conclusions.

For example, recalling the kinetic energy equation is only one step. A stronger response applies it correctly, explains how speed affects kinetic energy and evaluates the consequences for vehicle safety.

Criterion B: Inquiring and designing

Criterion B focuses on planning an investigation. Students may need to formulate a testable question and reasoned hypothesis, identify variables, explain how data will be collected, and design a logical and safe method.

Carrying out an experiment does not automatically earn a high level. The criterion rewards the quality of the design, including whether the method could generate sufficient relevant data.

Criterion C: Processing and evaluating

Criterion C concerns the use of experimental evidence. Students organize and process data, produce appropriate graphs, interpret patterns, evaluate a hypothesis, identify methodological limitations and propose realistic improvements.

Comments such as “human error affected the results” are too vague. A better evaluation identifies a specific limitation, explains its likely effect and proposes a modification that addresses it.

Criterion D: Reflecting on the impacts of science

Criterion D connects physics to real-world issues such as nuclear power, renewable energy, medical imaging or satellite technology. Students evaluate relevant environmental, economic, ethical, social or political implications.

Claims should be supported by physics and documented sources. Criterion D is not simply a personal opinion about whether a technology is “good” or “bad.”

How MYP Physics classroom grading works

Each criterion receives an achievement level from 0 to 8. Level 0 applies when the evidence does not reach a standard described by the published descriptors, while levels 1 to 8 represent increasing achievement.

Descriptors are normally arranged in bands of 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. Teachers use professional judgment and best fit to determine which descriptor most accurately represents the evidence. They do not treat every strand as a separate point or simply convert percentages.

At the reporting stage, the four criterion levels are added:

Criterion	Example level
A: Knowing and understanding	7
B: Inquiring and designing	6
C: Processing and evaluating	5
D: Reflecting on the impacts of science	7
Total	25 out of 32

Using the standard MYP classroom conversion table, 25 out of 32 produces a final grade of 6.

Total criterion level	Final MYP grade
1-5	1
6-9	2
10-14	3
15-18	4
19-23	5
24-27	6
28-32	7

A total of 25 should not be treated as a conventional percentage. MYP achievement levels describe performance against criteria, and no universal official rule states that a particular percentage always equals a particular MYP grade.

Students should not automatically average every score earned during the term. Teachers consider the available evidence for each criterion and determine the level that best represents achievement under the school’s assessment policy.

How MYP Physics eAssessment works

The optional MYP Physics eAssessment is an externally marked on-screen examination available at the end of MYP Year 5. It is generally two hours long and assesses the same four criteria, but it does not use the classroom 32-point calculation.

The official sciences subject brief presents this 100-mark blueprint:

eAssessment task	Main criteria	Indicative marks
Knowing and understanding	Criterion A	25
Investigation skills	Criteria B and C	50
Applying science	Criterion D	25
Total	Criteria A-D	100

Criteria B and C appear together under investigation skills but remain distinct criteria. Across the blueprint, all four criteria are equally weighted, although the precise mark allocation may vary slightly between examinations.

Examiners award raw marks using authorized markschemes and markbands. The IB then applies subject- and session-specific grade boundaries to convert the raw total into a grade from 1 to 7.

The distinction is important:

Classroom result: four criterion levels produce a total out of 32, followed by the standard MYP conversion.
Official eAssessment result: examination responses receive raw marks, followed by the Physics boundaries for that session.

Students should not convert a practice score out of 100 into a total out of 32 and present it as official. Past Physics boundaries can support estimates, but they cannot guarantee the boundary for a future session.

The IB describes eAssessment as optional for schools. Students seeking an IB-validated MYP Physics course result complete the relevant on-screen examination, while full MYP Certificate candidates must satisfy the wider certificate requirements.

How to improve across all four criteria

Revising only equations and definitions mainly prepares students for Criterion A. Strong performance requires deliberate practice across the complete framework:

solve unfamiliar calculation and explanation questions for Criterion A
design an investigation from a short scenario for Criterion B
graph data and evaluate a method for Criterion C
assess a physics application using documented evidence for Criterion D

Before answering, identify the command term. Words such as state, explain, design, interpret, evaluate and discuss demand different responses. Scientifically correct writing can still underperform if it does not complete the required action.

Students can use RevisionDojo MYP Physics resources for targeted practice. The guide to MYP assessment criteria and explanation of MYP grading help translate rubric language into practical steps.

For external assessment, combine targeted questions with timed work. RevisionDojo’s 30-day MYP eAssessment study plan and MYP eAssessment preparation advice cover scheduling, command terms, timing and digital exam habits.

Common mistakes to avoid

Calling the criteria separate exams: They are four dimensions of achievement, not four Physics papers.
Treating 4 out of 8 as 50%: Achievement levels describe rubric performance, not percentages.
Assuming every task assesses every criterion: Tests, investigations and research tasks may target different criteria.
Averaging all scores automatically: Final judgments depend on relevant evidence and school assessment policy.
Using classroom boundaries for eAssessment: The on-screen examination uses raw marks and session-specific boundaries.
Ignoring weaker criteria: Strong factual knowledge cannot fully compensate for weak investigation, evaluation or reflection.

Conclusion

The MYP Physics number of criteria is four: Knowing and understanding, Inquiring and designing, Processing and evaluating, and Reflecting on the impacts of science. Each classroom criterion has a maximum level of 8, giving a total out of 32 that converts into a grade from 1 to 7.

MYP Physics eAssessment assesses the same criteria but uses raw examination marks and session-specific boundaries. RevisionDojo’s MYP Physics Questionbank, Study Notes, Jojo AI and timed exam tools can support balanced preparation across all four criteria.

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MYP Physics has four assessment criteria, labelled A, B, C and D. Each criterion has a maximum achievement level of 8, producing a classroom criterion total out of 32.