What are SEHS IA examples?

SEHS IA examples are real student coursework samples that help you understand structure, rubric expectations, and the standard of work expected in IB Internal Assessment.

How should I use these examples?

Use them to compare structure, evidence, feedback, and scoring patterns. Do not copy the topic or wording; use the examples to improve your own planning and revision decisions.

Are these examples useful for understanding IB marking?

Yes. Examples with score and feedback signals help you connect concrete student work to the assessment criteria and understand what stronger submissions tend to do well.

IB SEHS IA Examples

IB Sports Exercise and Health Science (SEHS) IA Grader

Lots of students struggle to decode their SEHS Internal Assessment grade and assessment.
This is a free grading tool that breaks down the SEHS IA rubric into plain English, so you understand exactly where your scientific investigation stands across all four assessment criteria.
The embedded grader makes self-evaluation faster and more accurate than manual rubric checking, so you're never left guessing.

Note

The grader works in two modes:

Draft Mode: Quick assessment of your work-in-progress. Input your current sections and get instant feedback on which criteria need more work before you finish writing.
Full Mode: Complete evaluation of your finished IA. Input your final project details across all criteria and get a comprehensive grade breakdown with specific improvement suggestions for each section.

Quick Start Checklist

Before using the grader, ensure you have these key elements ready:
1. Research Question - Clear, focused, and testable SEHS question related to sports, exercise, or health science
2. SEHS Connection - Must relate to anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology, or nutrition content
3. Methodology - Step-by-step replicable procedure with scientific justification and safety considerations
4. Data Collection - Sufficient data with multiple participants or trials and appropriate measurement techniques
5. Data Analysis - Statistical analysis, graphs, calculations with uncertainties and pattern identification
6. SEHS Theory - Background knowledge connecting investigation to sports science principles and concepts
7. Word Count Verification - Maximum word limit as specified by your school (typically 2,500-3,000 words)
8. Ethical Considerations - Evidence of ethical approval and participant safety protocols where applicable

Rubric Breakdown

The SEHS IA is assessed using five criteria, totaling 24 marks:

Criterion A: Personal Engagement (2 marks)

This criterion tests your personal interest and individual approach to the investigation.
It evaluates your initiative, creativity, and personal connection to the research.

Mark Band	What it means	Evidence you must show
0	No evidence of personal engagement.	None.
1	Limited personal engagement.	Minimal independent thinking or initiative.
2	Clear personal engagement.	Significant independent thinking and creativity.

Criterion B: Exploration (6 marks)

This evaluates your research question formulation and background investigation.
It tests your methodology design and connection to SEHS theory.

Mark Band	What it means	Evidence you must show
0	No exploration	No clear research question or relevant background
1-2	Limited exploration	Basic research question with minimal SEHS background
3-4	Adequate exploration	Clear research question with appropriate SEHS theory and methodology
5-6	Excellent exploration	Sophisticated research question with comprehensive SEHS background and detailed methodology

Criterion C: Analysis (6 marks)

This assesses your data processing, statistical analysis, and pattern identification.
It evaluates your mathematical treatment and scientific interpretation of results.

Mark Band	What it means	Evidence you must show
0	No analysis	No data processing or inappropriate presentation
1-2	Limited analysis	Basic data processing with minimal statistical treatment
3-4	Adequate analysis	Clear data processing with appropriate statistical analysis and some pattern identification
5-6	Excellent analysis	Sophisticated statistical analysis with detailed interpretation and comprehensive pattern analysis

Criterion D: Evaluation (6 marks)

This tests your critical evaluation of methodology and identification of limitations.
It assesses your suggestions for improvement and reliability assessment.

Mark Band	What it means	Evidence you must show
0	No evaluation	No evaluation of methodology or results
1-2	Limited evaluation	Basic identification of some limitations
3-4	Adequate evaluation	Clear evaluation with some realistic improvements suggested
5-6	Excellent evaluation	Comprehensive evaluation with detailed limitations analysis and sophisticated improvements

Criterion E: Communication (4 marks)

This evaluates your scientific communication and presentation quality.
It tests your structure, clarity, and use of scientific terminology.

Mark Band	What it means	Evidence you must show
0	No communication	Unclear structure, poor presentation
1-2	Limited communication	Basic structure with some clarity issues
3-4	Good communication	Clear structure, appropriate scientific terminology, professional presentation

How to Interpret Your Grade from the Tool

The embedded grader calculates your total score out of 24 marks across all five criteria.
Here's how to interpret your results:
1. 22-24 marks (Grade 7 territory): Excellent work with sophisticated SEHS investigation. Minor refinements needed.
2. 19-21 marks (Grade 6 range): Strong investigation with good analysis. Focus on evaluation depth and SEHS theory application.
3. 16-18 marks (Grade 5 level): Competent work meeting basic requirements. Strengthen statistical analysis and methodology.
4. 13-15 marks (Grade 4 range): Adequate foundation but needs significant improvement. Review research design and SEHS connections.
5. Below 13 marks: Major revision required across most criteria. Restructure approach and strengthen scientific methodology.

Tip

If you're between bands, focus on Criterion C (Analysis) and Criterion D (Evaluation) - these often offer the biggest improvement opportunities.

Grade Boundaries & Converting Your Mark

IB SEHS IA grade boundaries vary by session but your IA contributes significantly to your final grade:

IB Grade	Typical Mark Range	Percentage
7	22-24	91-100%
6	19-21	79-88%
5	16-18	66-75%
4	13-15	54-63%
3	10-12	42-50%

Tip

Your IA contributes 20% to your final SEHS grade
A strong IA can significantly boost your overall grade, especially if you're borderline between grade bands.

Subject-Specific Tips

Exercise Physiology:
1. Investigate heart rate responses, VO₂ max testing, lactate thresholds, or training adaptations.
2. Use appropriate physiological measurements and connect to cardiovascular or respiratory theory.
Biomechanics:
1. Analyze movement patterns, force production, technique efficiency, or injury prevention.
2. Include kinematic or kinetic analysis with video analysis or force measurement tools.
Sports Psychology:
1. Examine motivation, anxiety, concentration, or team dynamics effects on performance.
2. Use validated psychological scales and appropriate statistical analysis for behavioral data.
Nutrition:
1. Study dietary interventions, hydration effects, supplement impacts, or energy metabolism.
2. Include biochemical markers, performance measures, and nutritional analysis.
Training Science:
1. Investigate training methods, recovery strategies, periodization effects, or adaptation responses.
2. Use and with .

Common Mistake

And quick fixes:

Vague research question → Make it specific with clear variables, population, and measurable outcome
Insufficient participants → Use minimum 10-15 participants for statistical validity in human studies
Poor SEHS theory connection → Link findings to anatomical, physiological, or biomechanical principles
Weak statistical analysis → Use appropriate tests (t-tests, ANOVA, correlation) with effect sizes
Missing ethical considerations → Address informed consent, participant safety, and data confidentiality
Superficial evaluation → Identify specific limitations and suggest realistic, detailed improvements
Poor methodology description → Include equipment specifications, protocols, and standardization procedures
→ Use with , , and

FAQs

How long should my SEHS IA be?
1. Typically 2,500-3,000 words maximum - check with your teacher for specific requirements.
Do I need ethical approval for human subjects?
1. Yes, ethical approval required for human participants - obtain informed consent and ensure safety protocols.
Can I use existing data or studies?
1. Primary data collection preferred - secondary analysis acceptable if properly justified and analyzed.
What statistical tests should I use?
1. Depends on data type and research design - common tests include t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, chi-square.
Can I collaborate with other students?
1. Limited collaboration allowed for data collection but each student must have unique research question and individual analysis.
How detailed should my methodology be?
1. Detailed enough for exact replication - include equipment, protocols, participant instructions, and measurements.
What SEHS topics work well for IAs?
1. Exercise physiology, biomechanics, sports psychology, nutrition, and investigations work well.

Use the Free SEHS IA Grader Now

Stop guessing about your grade.
The comprehensive grading tool evaluates your IA against all five official criteria, giving instant feedback on strengths and improvement areas.
Input your investigation details and get a preliminary grade calculation that helps you focus revision efforts where they matter most.
SEHS-specific analysis helps you master the sports science methodology and data analysis that separate excellent from average SEHS IAs.