Computer Science · Computational Solution documentation (IA)
IB Computer Science Internal Assessment
Upload your Computational Solution documentation (IA) and get examiner-level feedback on every criterion — scored against the official IB Computer Science internal assessment (computational solution) criteria (first assessment 2027). Free to try, no account required.
Assessment criteria — 30 marks total
Your Computational Solution documentation (IA) is graded against 5 criteria. iBacalao scores each one and tells you exactly where to gain marks.
Problem Specification
The problem scenario described in terms of its measurable solution requirements, appropriate success criteria stated as measurable outcomes, and the choice of computational context for the solution explained. (~300 words.)
Planning
A reasonable decomposition of the problem scenario (e.g. structure chart or hierarchy diagram) and a plan — a chronology covering planning, designing, developing, testing and evaluating — that addresses the success criteria. (~150 words.)
System Overview
A complete system model that a third party could use to recreate the product, algorithms for the system's components that enable the product to perform, and a described testing strategy aligned with the success criteria. (~150 words excluding diagrams and algorithms.)
Development
The built product: a fully functional product constructed with appropriate techniques to implement the algorithms, the implementation choices evaluated, and the effectiveness of the testing strategy justified. (~1,000 words; full source code in appendices; functionality demonstrated in the video.)
Evaluation
An evaluation of the extent to which each success criterion was met (fully, partially, not at all) supported by evidence, and justified improvements to the product, each tied to gaps identified in the evaluation. (~400 words.)
Common mistakes to avoid
Problem Specification
Success criteria that aren't measurable ("the app should be easy to use")Problem scenario described without solution requirementsComputational context named but the choice never explainedSuccess criteria disconnected from the stated requirements
Planning
Decomposition missing or a single flat list of featuresPlan with no link to the success criteriaTimeline without dependencies or realistic schedulingPhases (testing, evaluating) absent from the chronology
System Overview
System model too incomplete for a third party to rebuild the productAlgorithms missing for key components, or buried inside the modelTesting strategy not aligned to the success criteriaUI shown but data/logic components unmodelled
Development
Implementation choices stated but never justified or evaluatedTechniques listed without explaining why they fit the algorithmsTesting mentioned but its effectiveness never assessedDocumentation that narrates code line-by-line instead of explaining decisions
Evaluation
A met/not-met table with no evaluative prose behind itImprovements unrelated to the gaps the evaluation foundSuccess criteria assessed without evidence from testingNew features proposed instead of justified improvements
Common questions
How is the IB Computer Science Computational Solution documentation (IA) marked?
Your Computational Solution documentation (IA) is marked against 5 criteria totalling 30 marks using the official IB Computer Science internal assessment (computational solution) criteria (first assessment 2027). Your teacher marks first, then the IBO moderates a random sample from your school — so your mark may be adjusted up or down if the moderator consistently disagrees with your teacher.
What is the most important criterion in the IB Computer Science IA?
All criteria matter, but the highest-weighted criterion — worth the most marks — is "Development". Focus on what the mark band descriptor says for the top score and make sure every element it mentions is present in your submission.
Can I use AI to help with my Computer Science IA?
The IBO allows AI for feedback and research support, but the submitted work must be entirely your own. iBacalao gives criterion-by-criterion feedback on your draft — the same kind of comment your teacher would give — without generating any text for your IA.