Introduction
The IB Computer Science IA rubric is the examiner’s guide to awarding marks. If you don’t know what the rubric is measuring, you risk losing points even if your project works perfectly. Many students put all their energy into coding but forget that most marks come from documentation, client involvement, and evaluation.
In this article, we’ll break down the IA rubric, explain what examiners are looking for, and show how RevisionDojo helps you structure your project for a 7.
Quick Start Checklist
The IA rubric looks for five key areas:
- Planning and Problem Identification
- Design and Success Criteria
- Development and Code Evidence
- Testing with Client Feedback
- Evaluation and Reflection
Detailed Breakdown of the Rubric
1. Planning and Problem Identification
Examiners expect a clear description of:
- The client’s problem.
- Why your solution is needed.
- Evidence of a real client (interviews, notes, screenshots).
2. Design and Success Criteria
You must show structured planning with:
- Diagrams (flowcharts, UML, ER diagrams).
- Data structure choices.
- Success criteria directly tied to client needs.
3. Development
Here you prove how your program was built. Examiners want:
