Introduction
The Internal Assessment (IA) is more than just research and analysis. To achieve top marks, you must also include strong evaluation. Examiners don’t only want to see what you did — they want to know how well it worked, what its limitations were, and how you might improve it. This is where evaluation comes in.
In this guide, we’ll explain the role of evaluation in a high-scoring IA, outline strategies for writing it effectively, and share common mistakes to avoid. To see polished evaluation sections in real IB coursework, explore RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars, where top-scoring IAs model the exact level of critical thinking examiners reward.
Quick Start Checklist: What to Include in an IA Evaluation
- Identify limitations in your methods or sources
- Explain how those limitations affect reliability or validity
- Suggest realistic improvements
- Acknowledge alternative interpretations of results
- Show awareness of how evaluation strengthens your IA overall
Why Evaluation Is Essential in an IA
Evaluation demonstrates maturity as a learner. By critically assessing your work, you show examiners that you understand:
- The strengths and weaknesses of your approach
- The reliability and validity of your data or sources
- The complexity of research, rather than presenting it as perfect
This is why evaluation is often the difference between a mid-range IA and a top-level IA.
Step 1: Identify Limitations Honestly
Many students fear admitting flaws, but examiners expect it. Be clear about the limitations in your IA:
- Science IA: “Temperature fluctuations may have influenced the accuracy of plant growth measurements.”
- History IA: “The sources used were limited to English translations, which may affect interpretation.”
- Math IA: “The dataset used was small, which reduces the reliability of predictions.”
By acknowledging these limitations, you show awareness and critical thinking.
Step 2: Explain the Impact of Limitations
Don’t just list flaws — explain why they matter.
- Weak: “The sample size was small.”
- Strong: “The small sample size reduces the reliability of the data, as outliers may have disproportionately influenced the results.”
This depth of explanation shows examiners you understand the implications.
Step 3: Suggest Realistic Improvements
Examiners don’t expect perfection, but they do expect you to suggest ways to improve.
Examples:
- “Repeating the experiment over a longer period would provide more reliable results.”
- “Using a wider range of primary sources would create a more balanced analysis.”
- “Increasing the dataset size could reduce the effect of anomalies.”
Avoid unrealistic suggestions like “I would study every country in the world.” Improvements should be practical.
Step 4: Consider Alternative Interpretations
Another way to strengthen evaluation is to recognize that your results may not be the only possible conclusion. For example:
- “While the data suggests X, it is also possible that Y influenced the outcome.”
- “Although the sources support this interpretation, historians may differ on its significance.”
This demonstrates intellectual flexibility, which examiners highly value.
Step 5: Integrate Evaluation Throughout the IA
Some students leave evaluation until the final paragraph, but strong IAs weave evaluation throughout. For example:
- While analyzing data, mention possible sources of error.
- When interpreting results, discuss alternative explanations.
- In the conclusion, revisit limitations and suggest future directions.
This approach shows consistent critical engagement.
Common Mistakes in IA Evaluation
- Being too vague: “My IA had limitations” without specifics.
- Blaming external factors only: Examiners want you to reflect on your own choices too.
- Skipping improvements: Listing flaws without suggestions misses marks.
- Treating evaluation as an afterthought: It should be integrated, not tacked on.
Why Exemplars Are Crucial
If you’re unsure how detailed your evaluation should be, the best option is to study strong models. RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars include IAs with powerful evaluation sections that demonstrate exactly how to balance honesty, analysis, and improvement.
FAQs on IA Evaluation
1. How much evaluation should I include in my IA?
Evaluation should be present throughout your IA, but the conclusion is where it’s emphasized most. Around 10–15% of your IA should show evaluation.
2. Do examiners expect me to have a perfect IA?
No — examiners expect reflection. They want to see that you recognize weaknesses and understand how they affect your results.
3. Can acknowledging too many flaws lower my IA mark?
Not if you frame them well. Showing you understand and can suggest improvements strengthens your IA.
4. Should evaluation only appear at the end of the IA?
No, strong IAs integrate evaluation throughout, while also dedicating space in the conclusion.
5. Where can I see examples of strong IA evaluation?
Check RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars, which feature complete IAs with well-developed evaluation sections.
Conclusion
Evaluation is what separates a good IA from a top-level IA. By identifying limitations, explaining their impact, suggesting improvements, and considering alternative interpretations, you demonstrate critical thinking and maturity. Remember: examiners don’t want perfection — they want reflection. To see how the best IB students handle evaluation, study RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars and model your work on proven success.
Call to Action
Want to learn how to evaluate like a top IB student? Explore RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars today and see real examples of high-scoring IAs with strong evaluation.
