Introduction
Assessment in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed to measure more than memorization — it evaluates how students apply knowledge, think critically, and reflect on their learning. Each subject group uses a range of task types that connect classroom learning to real-world contexts.
Understanding these assessment tasks helps both students and teachers plan effectively for success. This article outlines sample MYP assessment tasks for each subject group, explaining what they look like, what they measure, and how they promote inquiry-based learning.
How MYP Assessments Work
Every MYP subject group uses criteria-based assessment, where tasks are scored using four equally weighted criteria (A–D).
- Criterion A: Knowledge and Understanding
- Criterion B: Application or Skills
- Criterion C: Communication or Creation
- Criterion D: Reflection or Evaluation
Teachers design tasks that allow students to demonstrate these skills authentically — through essays, experiments, performances, or digital creations.
The following examples illustrate how this works in practice across all eight subject groups.
1. Language and Literature
Example Task: Literary Analysis Essay
Students write an analytical essay exploring themes of identity and belonging in a chosen novel.
Skills Assessed:
- Understanding literary techniques and author intent (Criterion A)
- Structuring arguments and using evidence (Criterion B)
- Expressing ideas coherently (Criterion C)
- Reflecting on meaning and reader interpretation (Criterion D)
