One of the most confusing parts of IB coursework is understanding what examiners actually mean by “analysis.” Students are frequently told to “analyse more,” yet are rarely shown what strong analysis looks like in practice. As a result, many IAs contain explanation, description, and summary — but very little genuine analysis.
Knowing what real analysis looks like is essential for accessing higher mark bands.
Analysis Is About Meaning, Not Information
At its core, analysis is about making meaning from information. It goes beyond stating facts or describing outcomes and focuses on interpreting significance.
Real analysis answers questions such as:
- Why did this happen?
- What does this result suggest?
- How does this evidence affect the research question?
If a paragraph only tells the reader what happened, analysis has not yet occurred.
Analysis Is Always Question-Driven
Strong analysis is impossible without a clear link to the research question or aim. Every analytical point should move the investigation forward.
Examiners look for:
- Explicit links between evidence and the question
- Interpretation that directly supports conclusions
- Reasoning that stays focused and relevant
Analysis that is interesting but unrelated does not earn marks.
Analytical Writing Shows Cause and Effect
One clear sign of real analysis is cause-and-effect reasoning.
This includes:
- Explaining why outcomes occurred
- Identifying relationships between variables or ideas
- Discussing implications of findings
Cause-and-effect thinking demonstrates understanding, not just knowledge.
