Problem and client framing
Turn a broad idea into a precise user need with clear success criteria.
IB Computer Science Internal Assessment
IB Computer Science IA Support
The Computer Science IA is a computational solution to a real-world problem. Students identify a client or user need, design and develop a working solution, test it carefully, and evaluate how well it meets the success criteria.
What It Is
A working computational solution, not just a report
A strong IA starts with a specific problem and a realistic user. The student must show the computational thinking process: define the problem, set success criteria, design the solution, implement it, test it, and evaluate improvements.
Good support helps students keep the scope realistic, write maintainable code, collect useful testing evidence, and explain decisions clearly.
01Problem choice
Choose a problem that is real, focused, and feasible within the IA timeline.
02Design clarity
Plan features, data, interfaces, validation, and success criteria before coding too far.
03Development evidence
Show how the solution was built, tested, improved, and documented.
04Evaluation
Explain whether the solution meets the criteria and what could be improved next.
Support Plan
What CS IA support includes
Guidance is staged so the IA grows from a clean problem statement into a tested, documented computational solution.
Solution design
Plan data structures, interfaces, inputs, outputs, validation, storage, and feature scope.
Programming guidance
Support Python or Java implementation, debugging, modular code, readability, and testing habits.
Testing evidence
Create meaningful test cases, edge cases, user feedback notes, and improvement records.
Documentation structure
Organize design, development, testing, screenshots, code explanation, and evaluation clearly.
Final review
Check scope, clarity, evidence, academic honesty, and submission readiness.
Academic Integrity
Guidance, not writing or coding it for the student
The IA must remain the student's authentic work. Support can guide planning, debugging strategy, code quality, testing, documentation, and evaluation, but the final solution and write-up must be student-owned.
Consultation
Bring your IA idea, code, or draft documentation.
In a consultation, we can check feasibility, scope, design quality, testing evidence, and the next steps needed to make the IA stronger.