Internal Assessment

Grading, assessment, and knowing

Introduction

This page will help you organize and understand the internal assessment for the IB. Although there are two different parts of internal assessment (the solution and the group 4 project), this page focuses on the solution.

Internal assessment is an integral part of the course and is compulsory for both SL and HL students. It enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge, and to pursue their personal interests, without the time limitations and other constraints that are associated with written examinations. The internal assessment should, as far as possible, be woven into normal classroom teaching and not be a separate activity conducted after a course has been taught.

The internal assessment requirements at SL and at HL are the same. However, these requirements contribute to a different percentage of the overall mark. Students are required to produce a solution that consists of a cover page, the product and the documentation. The focus of the solution is on providing either an original product or additional functionality to an existing product for a client.

The internal assessment component (solution), as well as being practical and productive, forms an important part of the assessment of the computer science course. It is imperative, therefore, that the teacher provides appropriate guidance to students.

Internal assessment

This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.

The Solution

The requirement of the internal assessment is to develop a solution for a specified client to a specified problem or an unanswered question.

How will I be marked?

1. Planning
2. Solution overview
3. Development
4. Functionality and extensibility of product
5. Evaluation

Key terms

• The term “solution” refers to all the work submitted by the student for the internal assessment; the term “product” refers to the completed software only. The product is a subset of the solution.
• The terms “developer” and “student” are synonymous.
• The term “client” refers to the person for whom the product is being developed. The student may also be the client.
• The term “adviser” refers to a third party the student must identify to assist him or her in the development of the product.

3 scenarios in developing a product

1. The student is developing the product for a third party who is the client and also acts as the adviser.
2. The student is developing the product for a third party who is the client. Another person acts as the adviser.
3. The student is the client (developing the product for himself or herself). An appropriate adult must act as the adviser.

Requirements of the solution

• a cover page that follows the prescribed format
• a product
• supporting documentation (word limit 2,000 words).

You can earn a maximum of 34 marks for your solution. 30 hours are allocated for the solution.

Prove or make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with examples or practical application.

Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. Recognize and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.