Internal Assessment Support in DSO | Internal Essay support

IB Internal Assessment (IA)

The Internal Assessment (IA) is a mandatory component of nearly every subject within the IB Diploma Programme and contributes approximately 20-30% of a student’s final grade. Unlike final exams, the IA is completed during the school year under teacher supervision. It’s designed to assess how well students can apply subject knowledge to real-world contexts through independent investigations. The format varies by subject for eg., a lab report in sciences, a mathematical exploration in math, or a source-based analysis in history. Regardless of the form, the IA encourages critical thinking, structured research & personal engagement, all evaluated against clearly defined criteria set by the IB.

Inside the IB Internal Assessment

Subject-Specific Requirements in the IA

The Internal Assessment looks different depending on the subject. For example, in sciences, it typically involves designing and conducting an experiment, while in history or geography, it may take the form of a source-based investigation. Mathematics requires a written exploration that applies mathematical reasoning to a real-world or abstract context. Language IAs often involve oral presentations or literary analysis. Each subject has a unique structure & assessment criteria. To do well, you need to understand what the IB expects for that subject.

This is especially relevant for students seeking Internal Assessment (IA) support in DSO, where curriculum alignment & subject requirements can vary slightly depending on school-specific guidelines.

Research and Data Analysis in IAs

In subjects like science, economics & geography, a significant portion of the IA involves collecting, organizing, and interpreting data. This could include setting up experiments, conducting surveys & analysing secondary datasets. The IB places emphasis on how well students justify their methodology, apply appropriate tools for data analysis & evaluate the reliability of their findings. Clear documentation of procedures and ethical handling of information are also important components that are assessed. Many students find this part tricky. That’s where Internal Assessment Support in JLT can really help, especially when the data is complex or covers more than one subject.

Writing and Presenting Your IA

Each IA must follow specific formatting and structural guidelines set by the IB. This includes a clear introduction, well-supported analysis, proper referencing & a concise conclusion that reflects on the investigation. Your work should be neat and easy to follow. Use graphs or tables where needed & stay within the word limit. Students should demonstrate an ability to communicate their ideas clearly & academically. These expectations are consistent across all components, including the Internal Essay support in DSO, where writing style and academic rigor must meet IB’s global standards.

How the IB IA Is Assessed and Moderated

Internal Assessments are graded by subject teachers using official IB criteria, which differ slightly depending on the subject. However, most subjects evaluate common areas such as personal engagement, the quality of the methodology, depth of analysis, clarity of conclusions & overall presentation.

After the teacher assigns a grade, the IB may request a sample of IAs from the school for moderation. This is to ensure consistency and fairness across schools worldwide. If the teacher’s marks are found to be significantly higher or lower than IB standards, adjustments are made to align with global assessment benchmarks. This process helps maintain the reliability & credibility of final IA grades.

Tips to Do Well:-

Start early. Don’t leave it to the last minute.
Pick a topic that actually interests you.
Keep your drafts, research, and notes organized.
Add charts or diagrams to support analysis.
Ask your teacher for feedback at each stage.
Reflect honestly – IB rewards critical thinking about your own work.

FAQS

Q1. How much does the Internal Assessment (IA) contribute to the final IB grade?
Ans. It usually contributes 20-30% of the final grade, depending on the subject & level

Q2. Can students choose their own topic?
Ans. Yes, as long as it fits their subject and IB rules

Q3. Does every IA need data collection?
Ans. Not all, but many subjects do involve data or source analysis

Q4. Who marks the IA?
Ans. IAs are graded by teachers based on IB criteria and then sent to IB for moderation