Global Politics · Engagement Project report (IA)
IB Global Politics Internal Assessment
Upload your Engagement Project report (IA) and get examiner-level feedback on every criterion — scored against the IB Global Politics internal assessment (engagement project) criteria (first assessment 2026). Free to try, no account required.
Assessment criteria — 24 marks total
Your Engagement Project report (IA) is graded against 5 criteria. iBacalao scores each one and tells you exactly where to gain marks.
Explanation and Justification
The political issue explored through the engagement is clearly and explicitly identified, with a clear explanation of why this engagement and political issue are of interest to the student, and a clear link between the engagement and political issue on one hand and course content on the other.
Process
The research process: complementary engagement (active, first-hand involvement) and research methods, with the choice of activities and of primary/secondary methods appropriate to the political issue and their use explained.
Analysis and Synthesis
The political issue explored in depth using the key concepts of the course where relevant, with clear critical analysis in which the main points are justified, and the experiences from the engagement synthesized with the researched perspectives of stakeholders rather than reported side by side.
Evaluation and Reflection
An evaluation of the research process — the strengths and limitations of the engagement and methods used, including possible personal bias — and reflection on how the engagement shaped or changed the student's understanding of the political issue.
Communication
The report is well organized, clear and concise, with a structure that supports the argument, consistent referencing, and the 2,000-word limit respected.
Common mistakes to avoid
Explanation and Justification
Topic stated as a theme ("migration") rather than a contestable political issueWhy the issue matters to you asserted but never explainedNo link drawn between the issue and course concepts/contentEngagement and issue described separately, never connected
Process
Engagement described as an event log rather than a research processPrimary engagement and secondary research never brought togetherMethods named but their appropriateness to the issue unexplainedEngagement too thin to generate first-hand evidence
Analysis and Synthesis
Describing the engagement instead of analysing the political issueCourse concepts (power, legitimacy, sovereignty…) absent or decorativeStakeholder perspectives reported but never weighed against each otherEngagement experiences and secondary research kept in separate sections
Evaluation and Reflection
No reflection on how the engagement changed your view of the issuePersonal bias never acknowledged or examinedLimitations listed generically, not tied to this engagementEvaluation of sources missing where secondary research is used
Communication
Report organized as a diary of the engagement rather than an argumentSources cited inconsistently or not at allExceeding the word limit (or padding far below it)Key terms used loosely where precise vocabulary exists
Common questions
How is the IB Global Politics Engagement Project report (IA) marked?
Your Engagement Project report (IA) is marked against 5 criteria totalling 24 marks using the IB Global Politics internal assessment (engagement project) criteria (first assessment 2026). 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 Global Politics IA?
All criteria matter, but the highest-weighted criterion — worth the most marks — is "Analysis and Synthesis". 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 Global Politics 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.