One of the most common misconceptions IB students have about Internal Assessments is that clear explanation equals strong performance. Students often believe that if they explain concepts accurately and in detail, examiners will reward the work highly. Unfortunately, this is not how IA marking works. In many cases, explaining content is exactly what causes marks to be capped.

Understanding why explanation alone is insufficient helps students shift their approach and unlock higher mark bands.

Explanation Shows Knowledge — Not Thinking

Explanation demonstrates that you understand the subject content. This is important, but it is only a baseline requirement.

When students explain content, they usually:

• Define concepts
• Describe processes
• Summarise theories or results

This shows knowledge, but IB IAs are not designed to test knowledge alone. They are designed to test how you use that knowledge.

Examiners Expect You to Go Beyond Explanation

IB examiners assume that students understand the syllabus. What they are looking for is evidence that students can:

• Interpret information
• Apply ideas to a specific context
• Draw meaningful conclusions

When an IA stops at explanation, examiners see competence — but not insight.

Explanation Does Not Answer the Research Question

A key reason explanation loses marks is that it often does not directly answer the research question or aim.

For example:

• Explaining a concept does not show how it affects your investigation
• Describing results does not explain what they mean
• Summarising sources does not justify conclusions

If your writing could exist without the research question, it is probably too explanatory.

Explaining Content Delays Analysis

Many students plan to “analyse later” after explaining everything first. This often leads to:

• Long descriptive sections
• Rushed analysis
• Weak evaluation

In strong IAs, explanation is brief and immediately followed by interpretation.

Examiners Reward Interpretation, Not Detail

Examiners are not impressed by how much you explain. They are interested in:

• Why the explanation matters
• What it reveals
• How it contributes to the investigation

A short explanation followed by strong interpretation scores higher than a long, detailed explanation with no analysis.

Explanation Makes Evaluation Generic

Evaluation depends on specificity. When an IA is mostly explanatory:

• Limitations become vague
• Strengths are general
• Conclusions repeat earlier points

This prevents students from accessing the highest evaluation marks.

How to Tell If You’re Explaining Too Much

Warning signs include:

• Long paragraphs with no clear argument
• Frequent definitions or summaries
• Sections that feel informative but not investigative

If your IA reads like a textbook rather than an investigation, explanation is likely dominating.

Turning Explanation Into Analysis

Students can improve by:

• Asking “so what?” after each explanation
• Linking content directly to the research question
• Explaining implications rather than restating facts

This shift often requires changing how sentences are developed, not rewriting everything.

Why Students Rely on Explanation

Students rely on explanation because:

• It feels safe and familiar
• It is rewarded in other assessments
• Analysis feels subjective or risky

However, IB coursework is designed to reward judgment, not just accuracy.

Using a Clear Coursework Framework

Most students explain too much because they don’t know where explanation should stop and analysis should begin. A structured coursework framework helps students:

• Balance explanation and analysis
• Prioritise interpretation
• Meet assessment expectations consistently

If you’re working on any IB IA or the Extended Essay, following a clear coursework system can help you move beyond explanation and earn the marks your understanding deserves.

You can find a step-by-step guide to improving IB coursework here:
👉 https://www.revisiondojo.com/coursework-guide

Final Thoughts

Explaining content is necessary in IB IAs — but it is not enough. Marks are awarded for interpretation, judgment, and insight, not for detailed explanation alone. Once students learn to treat explanation as a starting point rather than an endpoint, their IA quality and grades improve significantly.