Overview
The Internal Assessment can cushion a bad exam day — or drag a strong student down. This cross-subject guide explains what every IA shares, where they differ, and how to hit top criteria bands.
Understanding the IB Internal Assessment assessment
Most IB subjects include an IA — coursework marked internally and moderated externally. Sciences use individual investigations; humanities use essays or fieldwork; maths uses exploration; arts use portfolio components. Weighting is typically 20–25% of the subject grade.
Markbands and what examiners reward
For the IB Diploma Programme, each subject publishes criteria (often A–D or similar) with band descriptors. Examiners reward clear research questions, appropriate methodology, critical analysis, and presentation — not padding or fancy formatting.
A past paper workflow that actually works
For the IB Diploma Programme, choose a narrow question early. Draft criteria checklist before you start. Submit supervisor drafts on schedule. Keep a research log — it makes the write-up faster and more honest.
Paper-specific tips
For the IB Diploma Programme, sciences: personal engagement and uncertainty analysis matter. Economics/BM: structure like a mini-dissertation with diagrams. English: global issue must drive the oral/written link.
Common pitfalls
For the IB Diploma Programme, aI-generated plagiarism; supervisor draft ignored; exceeding word limits; weak ethical consideration; copying online IA structures verbatim.
Using MarkScheme across the diploma
MarkScheme hosts [760+ free IB lessons](/ib/courses) across sciences, humanities, languages, maths, arts, and Core — each syllabus point links to [topic practice](/ib/past-papers/biology-hl#ib-topic-practice) and [criterion marking](/mark). See the [free courses guide](/blog/ib-free-courses-guide) and [diploma past papers guide](/blog/ib-diploma-past-papers-guide).
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — what IB examiners reward most often in past papers and coursework.
IA word limits?
Varies by subject (e.g. 2,200 History, 4,000 EE is separate). Check the current guide for your subject.
Can the same topic as EE?
Generally no — overlap is restricted. Discuss with your coordinator.
Practice marking?
Upload IA sections to mark a paper(/mark) where your subject is supported for criterion feedback.