What Is an IA in the IB Programme?
The Internal Assessment (IA) is a key component of nearly every subject in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. It allows students to showcase their research, analytical, and presentation skills through essays, investigations, or oral presentations, depending on the subject.
📌 IA Quick Facts:
- Accounts for 20–30% of the final subject grade
- Is graded internally by the teacher and moderated externally by IB
- Must be original, independent work
- Covers subjects like Math (exploration), History (investigation), English (oral commentary), and Sciences (lab reports)
Given its high weight and importance, submitting an IA that is plagiarized can jeopardize your entire diploma.
What Counts as Plagiarism in an IA?
The IB defines plagiarism as representing someone else’s ideas, words, or work as your own without proper acknowledgment.
🔍 Common Forms of IA Plagiarism:
- Copy-pasting from websites or other students’ work
- Using ChatGPT or AI to write all or part of your IA without citing it
- Improper citation or no citation at all for quotes or data
- Buying IAs online or outsourcing to ghostwriters
- Submitting recycled work from siblings, friends, or online samples
⚠️ Intent Doesn’t Always Matter:
- Unintentional plagiarism (e.g., missing a citation) can still trigger investigations
- IB holds students accountable regardless of intent
How the IB Detects IA Plagiarism
The IB uses multiple methods to ensure the academic integrity of IAs.
🔍 Detection Methods:
- Turnitin and plagiarism detection software scan for copied material
- IB examiners are trained to spot unusual writing styles or unoriginal content
- Random moderation compares submitted IAs across schools and years
- Teacher checks prior to submission are essential to catch issues early
If red flags are raised, an official investigation begins.
What Happens If Plagiarism Is Suspected in Your IA?
If a teacher or IB moderator suspects plagiarism:
- Your school is notified and asked to conduct an initial review
- The IB may launch a formal investigation, collecting evidence
- You will likely be asked to provide a written explanation
- The school sends a report with findings to the IB’s academic integrity board
This process can take several weeks and may delay the release of final results.
Consequences of Submitting a Plagiarized IA
The consequences are severe—especially if the IA plays a major role in your subject grade.
🚨 Possible Outcomes:
- Minor Offense (e.g., improper citation)
- Consequence: Warning or mark reduction
- Moderate Offense (e.g., partial plagiarism)
- Consequence: Zero marks for the Internal Assessment (IA) component
- Severe Offense (e.g., full plagiarism or ghostwriting)
- Consequence: No grade for the subject, which means no diploma awarded
- Repeat or Extreme Cases
- Consequence: Disqualification from the IB Programme and a permanent record annotation
Can You Appeal a Plagiarism Accusation?
Yes, but success depends on the strength of your case.
🧾 IB Appeals Process:
- Must be initiated by your school coordinator
- You can submit a written statement and evidence
- The IB appeals board reviews all documentation and issues a final decision
Appeals are more likely to succeed in cases of accidental error or procedural mistakes. Fabricated or AI-generated content rarely qualifies for reversal.
How to Avoid IA Plagiarism as an IB Student
✅ Smart Academic Practices:
- Always use in-text citations and a bibliography (APA or MLA style)
- Use AI tools ethically—only for brainstorming or proofreading, not writing
- Keep track of all source material during research
- Don’t reuse or copy from past students or online examples
- Ask your teacher if you’re unsure about citation or originality
Even small mistakes can raise red flags. It’s better to double-check everything than to risk your diploma.
Final Thoughts: Integrity Is Key to IB Success
Plagiarism doesn’t just hurt your grade—it damages your academic reputation and can ruin your future university opportunities. The IB values honesty, originality, and ethical learning, and so do top universities.
By staying true to your work, citing sources properly, and avoiding shortcuts, you’re not just passing the IA—you’re proving your integrity, resilience, and readiness for university-level thinking.
FAQs About IA Plagiarism in IB
Q1: What happens if only part of my IA is plagiarized?
A: Even partial plagiarism can result in zero marks for the component, which may fail the entire subject.
Q2: Can I use ChatGPT or AI tools to help with my IA?
A: Yes, but only for idea generation or planning. If you use AI-generated text directly, you must cite it clearly.
Q3: Will universities know if I was caught plagiarizing?
A: Possibly. The IB may inform your school, which can affect university recommendations and admissions reports.
Q4: Can I redo my IA if I’m caught plagiarizing?
A: Not usually. If submitted work is deemed plagiarized, you cannot resubmit for that session.
Q5: What’s the safest way to avoid plagiarism?
A: Keep a research journal, cite as you go, use plagiarism checkers, and consult your teacher frequently.
Q6: Is copying from friends' IAs also plagiarism?
A: Yes. Even if they gave permission, using someone else’s IA content is considered collusion and plagiarism.
