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:
- Annotated code snippets that highlight logic.
- Explanations of algorithms and design decisions.
- Evidence that you followed your plan.
4. Testing
Testing must be rigorous, not minimal. The rubric rewards:
- Test tables with normal, boundary, and abnormal cases.
- Screenshots showing outputs.
- Client feedback confirming that the system works.
5. Evaluation
This section is often underdone. Examiners look for:
- Honest analysis of strengths and weaknesses.
- Clear connection to the original success criteria.
- Suggestions for realistic improvements.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Fake clients – instantly weakens problem identification.
- Code dumps instead of explanations – lowers development marks.
- Minimal testing – makes it seem like the program wasn’t verified.
- Shallow evaluation – repeating features instead of analyzing them.
How RevisionDojo Helps
RevisionDojo provides rubric-aligned checklists so you can see exactly what examiners expect in each section. Our IA guides walk you through how to present planning, design, and testing evidence in a way that matches the rubric word-for-word. With RevisionDojo, you’ll never hand in an IA wondering if you’ve missed criteria.
FAQs
Q: Do I need diagrams in the design section?
Yes, diagrams make your design clearer and are expected in the rubric. Flowcharts, UML diagrams, and ER diagrams all strengthen your submission.
Q: How much code should I include in the IA?
Only the important parts, with annotations. Examiners don’t want hundreds of unannotated lines.
Q: How do I prove client involvement?
Include meeting notes, screenshots of messages, or testing feedback. RevisionDojo templates help you structure this evidence effectively.
Conclusion
The IB Computer Science IA rubric rewards students who balance coding with thorough documentation and client engagement. To score a 7, you need to clearly show planning, design, testing, and evaluation. Avoid shallow explanations and rushed evidence.
With RevisionDojo’s rubric checklists and IA templates, you’ll know exactly what examiners are looking for and how to deliver it.
