Notes for IA assessment criteria - IB | RevisionDojo
IA assessment criteria Notes
IA Assessment Criteria: Student Guide
Why the IA criteria matter
The Individual Oral isn’t just testing whether you memorized some fancy sentences.
It’s testing whether you can use the language in real time to describe, interpret, and discuss ideas. The criteria (30 marks total) are the roadmap:
Criterion A (Language): Proves you’re not stuck in “basic mode”, you can vary grammar and vocab like a real speaker.
Criterion B1 (Message - stimulus/extract): Shows you can move past description and actually connect ideas to culture or literature.
Criterion B2 (Message - conversation): Tests if you can develop and justify opinions under pressure, not just nod and say yes.
Criterion C (Interactive skills): Demonstrates that you can hold a natural conversation, listen actively, and keep things flowing.
In short: these criteria matter because they separate a student who “knows the language” from one who can use it confidently, critically, and spontaneously, exactly what IB is looking for.
Criterion A: Language (12 marks, both SL and HL)
What it means: Can you actually speak the language fluently, clearly, and flexibly?
Vocabulary: Is it appropriate, varied, and sometimes even idiomatic?
Grammar: Are you using a mix of simple and complex structures (not just “I went… I saw…”)?
Accuracy: Do mistakes block communication, or are they small slip-ups?
Pronunciation/intonation: Can the examiner understand you easily, and do you sound natural?
Tip
Variety is everything. Show you can go beyond basics. For example:
Instead of: “The building is important.”
Try: “The building holds cultural value and symbolizes our shared identity.”
SL: How well do you describe, interpret, and link the visual stimulus to a course theme and target culture?
HL: How well do you analyse and respond to the literary extract, linking it to themes, characters, and ideas in the full work?
Tip
Don’t just describe.
Always add interpretation and cultural context.
SL example: “This advertisement not only promotes healthy eating but also reflects how society values lifestyle and identity.”
HL example: “This extract from Othello highlights jealousy as a destructive force, which ties to the wider theme of power and manipulation across the play.”
Criterion B2: Message - Conversation (6 marks, both SL and HL)
What it means: Can you hold a relevant, developed discussion based on what the examiner asks?
Responses should be appropriate, connected to the question, and go beyond one-liners.
Depth is key: show opinions, justifications, and even try to engage the examiner.
Tip
Use connectors and expand.
Instead of: “Yes, I agree.”
Try: “Yes, I agree because public parks promote community well-being, but I think the cultural loss of the old building is greater.”
Criterion C: Interactive Skills - Communication (6 marks, both SL and HL)
What it means: Are you an active conversationalist or just giving short answers?
Comprehension: Do you understand the examiner’s questions without constant repetition?
Interaction: Can you keep the flow going with elaboration, examples, and follow-up points?
Tip
Treat it like a real conversation, not a Q&A. Use fillers naturally:
“That’s an interesting question…”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way, but…”
Note
The examiner isn’t looking for a perfect speech.
They’re looking for communication skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to think on your feet.
End of article
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Note
The Individual Oral (IO) is a key component of the IB English B assessment, designed to evaluate your ability to communicate effectively in English. It tests not just your language skills, but also your ability to think critically and express ideas clearly.
The IO is worth 30 marks in total
It consists of four main criteria: Language, Message (Stimulus/Extract), Message (Conversation), and Interactive Skills
DefinitionIndividual Oral (IO)A spoken assessment in IB English B that evaluates students' language proficiency, analytical skills, and ability to engage in conversation.
AnalogyThink of the IO as a verbal obstacle course - you need to demonstrate agility in language, strength in analysis, and endurance in conversation.
