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1. Essentials of the Internal Assessment

2.1 Research design

2.2 Data analysis

2.3 Conclusion

2.4 Evaluation

3. Examiners' Insights

4. Suggested timeline

5. Marking toolkit

6.1 Command term glossary

6.2 IA checklist

7. Student planning sheets

1. Essentials of the Internal Assessment

Chemistry

Internal Assessment

Your Chemistry IA is an individual scientific investigation. It should tell a clear story from a focused question to a justified conclusion.

What a strong investigation contains

A measurable, chemistry-specific research question
Enough raw and processed data to reveal a trend
Evaluation tied to the reliability of the conclusion

Tip

Make every section answer the research question rather than read like a separate checklist.

Chemistry IA report example — A clearly structured Chemistry IA

Start with a clear structure

Understand what each section needs to accomplish before you begin drafting it.

Connect decisions to the rubric

See why a research choice, analysis method, or reflection matters for the criteria being assessed.

IA GuidesChemistry2.1 Research design

2.1 Research design

ChemistryInternal AssessmentPRO

This criterion assesses the research question, background context, variables and experimental method(s) used to collect the data.

Number of marks

Level descriptor

5-6

The research design is appropriate, sufficient and clearly explained.

3-4

The research design is appropriate but contains some omissions.

1-2

The research design is stated with limited relevant detail.

The work does not reach the standard described above.

Use examples without losing originality

Learn from annotated patterns and practical checklists while keeping the argument and evidence your own.

IA GuidesChemistry6.2 IA checklist

6.2 IA checklist

ChemistryInternal Assessment

RevisionDojo

IB Chemistry Internal Assessment guide - IA checklist

Report structure

AbsentPartialComplete

The report has a title that reflects the aims of the investigation

The candidates personal code (plus the codes of any groups member(s) are included

The word count is stated at the start of report

The report has an introductory paragraph that introduces the reader to the investigation

The word limit of the report does not exceed 3000 words (not including data tables, sketches, graphs, headings, references or bibliography)

SI units are used throughout the report

Any work that is not the work of the student is clearly referenced using an appropriate referencing system

Tables, figures, sketches, images and graphs are labelled using Figure 1, Table 1, etc

A works cited list is included at the end of the report

The report has been checked for academic honesty and correct use of citations

Research design

AbsentPartialComplete

The research question includes the independent variable (including its values), the dependent variable and the methodology used

The background context includes relevant scientific theory that is directly related to the research question

The background context includes justification for the choice of methodology and the range of the independent variable

A hypothesis is described based on the relevant scientific context

The independent, dependent and control variables are quantifiable and described in detail

Previous guide

Next guide

A planning sheet to start from

Map your topic, timeline, and criteria checklist with a structured planning sheet before you start writing.

Know how each criterion is marked

See the official mark bands and level descriptors for your subject, so you know what separates a 3–4 from a 5–6.

Built by IB examiners

Guides are written and reviewed by examiners and experienced IB teachers, not generalized study advice.

coursework guides

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Coursework Guides

Plan every section with confidence

Follow practical guides that connect each stage of your coursework to the rubric, examples, and decisions you need to make.

Open Coursework Guides

1. Essentials of the Internal Assessment

2.1 Research design

2.2 Data analysis

2.3 Conclusion

2.4 Evaluation

3. Examiners' Insights

4. Suggested timeline

5. Marking toolkit

6.1 Command term glossary

6.2 IA checklist

7. Student planning sheets

1. Essentials of the Internal Assessment

Chemistry

Internal Assessment

Your Chemistry IA is an individual scientific investigation. It should tell a clear story from a focused question to a justified conclusion.

What a strong investigation contains

A measurable, chemistry-specific research question
Enough raw and processed data to reveal a trend
Evaluation tied to the reliability of the conclusion

Tip

Make every section answer the research question rather than read like a separate checklist.

Start with a clear structure

Understand what each section needs to accomplish before you begin drafting it.

Connect decisions to the rubric

See why a research choice, analysis method, or reflection matters for the criteria being assessed.

IA GuidesChemistry2.1 Research design

2.1 Research design

ChemistryInternal AssessmentPRO

This criterion assesses the research question, background context, variables and experimental method(s) used to collect the data.

Number of marks

Level descriptor

5-6

The research design is appropriate, sufficient and clearly explained.

3-4

The research design is appropriate but contains some omissions.

1-2

The research design is stated with limited relevant detail.

The work does not reach the standard described above.

Use examples without losing originality

Learn from annotated patterns and practical checklists while keeping the argument and evidence your own.

IA GuidesChemistry6.2 IA checklist

6.2 IA checklist

ChemistryInternal Assessment

RevisionDojo

IB Chemistry Internal Assessment guide - IA checklist

Report structure

AbsentPartialComplete

The report has a title that reflects the aims of the investigation

The candidates personal code (plus the codes of any groups member(s) are included

The word count is stated at the start of report

The report has an introductory paragraph that introduces the reader to the investigation

The word limit of the report does not exceed 3000 words (not including data tables, sketches, graphs, headings, references or bibliography)

SI units are used throughout the report

Any work that is not the work of the student is clearly referenced using an appropriate referencing system

Tables, figures, sketches, images and graphs are labelled using Figure 1, Table 1, etc

A works cited list is included at the end of the report

The report has been checked for academic honesty and correct use of citations

Research design

AbsentPartialComplete

The research question includes the independent variable (including its values), the dependent variable and the methodology used

The background context includes relevant scientific theory that is directly related to the research question

The background context includes justification for the choice of methodology and the range of the independent variable

A hypothesis is described based on the relevant scientific context

The independent, dependent and control variables are quantifiable and described in detail

Previous guide

Next guide

A planning sheet to start from

Map your topic, timeline, and criteria checklist with a structured planning sheet before you start writing.

Know how each criterion is marked

See the official mark bands and level descriptors for your subject, so you know what separates a 3–4 from a 5–6.

Built by IB examiners

Guides are written and reviewed by examiners and experienced IB teachers, not generalized study advice.

coursework guides

exemplars alongside them

students graded their coursework

Open Coursework Guides