IB Computer Science
Introduction
IB Computer Science
Welcome to the new IB Diploma Computer Science syllabus to start teaching in August 2025, and for first examinations in May 2027.
Sequence overview
See the calendar page for more detail.
| Time period | Lesson focus |
|---|---|
| Late August September Early October |
B2: Programming |
| Mid term break | |
| November December |
B1: Computational thinking B3: Object oriented programming |
| Winter break | |
| January February March |
B4: Abstract data types A3: Databases |
| April break | |
| May June |
Year 12 examinations IA lessons Submit IA draft (Criteria A, B, C) |
| Summer break | Submit IA draft (Criteria D, E) |
| Late August September Early October |
A1: Computer fundamentals A4: Machine learning |
| Mid term break | |
| November December |
A4: Machine learning (continued) A2: Networks |
| Winter break | |
| January February March |
Mock examinations Case study Submit IA final Exam revision |
| April break | |
| May June |
External examinations |
Examinations overview
| Content | SL | HL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | A1 Computer fundamentals A2 Networks A3 Databases A4 Machine Learning Case study |
35% of grade 1:15 hours duration 50 marks total 38 marks A1/A2/A3/A4 12 marks Case study |
40% of grade 2 hours duration 80 marks total 56 marks A1/A2/A3/A4 24 marks Case study |
| Paper 2 | B1 Computational thinking B2 Programming B3 OOP B4 ADT There are two versions of paper 2, one for students who have studied Python, one for students who have studied Java. |
35% of grade 1:15 hours duration 50 marks total One of the questions will focus on algorithmic thinking without the need to interpret or write code. |
40% of grade 2 hours duration 80 marks total Two questions from the SL paper will be repeated in the HL paper, including a question with a focus on algorithmic thinking without the need to interpret or write code. Additional questions will focus on HL-only topics. |
| IA | Self selected programming project and documentation | 30% of grade 35 hours class time |
20% of grade 35 hours class time |
Analysis of sample exams
| ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW | SL Marks | SL Time | SL Weighting | HL Marks | HL Time | HL Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 50 | 75m | 35% | 80 | 120m | 40% |
| • Section A (A1/A2/A3/A4) | 38 | 56 | ||||
| ◦ Each topic | 11-12 ea (A4 = 4m) | 18m ea | 8% ea | 13-15 ea | 21m ea | 7% ea |
| • Section B (Case study) | 12 | 18m | 8% | 24 | 36m | 12% |
| ◦ Short response questions | 6 | 9m | 4% | 12 | 18m | 6% |
| ◦ Challenge question | 6 | 9m | 4% | 12 | 18m | 6% |
| Paper 2 | 50 | 75m | 35% | 80 | 120m | 40% |
| • Non programming question (B1) | 15 | 22m | 10% | 15 | 22m | 7.5% |
| • Programming (B2) | 15 | 22m | 10% | 15 | 22m | 7.5% |
| • Programming (B3) | 20 | 40m | 14% | 20 | 30m | 10% |
| • Programming (B4) | n/a | n/a | n/a | 30 | 45m | 15% |
| Internal assessment | 30 | 35h | 30% | 30 | 35h | 20% |
Buy my book 😉
Computer Science for the IB Diploma by Paul Baumgarten, Ioana Ganea, & Carl Turland, published by Hachette Learning. ISBN 9781036009007. Authorised by the IBO.