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What is the IB Computer Science (HL) exam format?
IB Computer Science HL has internal and external assessments: the IB external assessment is the part you do on test day and the IB internal assessment is usually a project or a presentation you have to work on ahead of time.
For the external assessments:
Paper 1 - short answer questions; will take you 2 hours 10 minutes (worth 40% of your final grade)
Paper 2 - examination paper between two to five compulsory questions; will take you 1 hour 20 minutes (worth 20% of your final grade)
Paper 3 - examination paper consisting of four compulsory questions; will take you 1 hour (worth 20% of your final grade)
For the internal assessment (worth 30% of your final grade)
Written commentary - the report of a development of a computational solution; will take you 30 hours (worth 25% of your final grade)
To make sure you’re prepared enough to finish in time, take a look through the IB Computer Science Syllabus and our free IB Computer Science resources that cover the most important material you should know.
How do I study for IB Computer Science (HL)?
IB exams are scored using a combination of internal and external assessments. The IB score range is 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest. External assessments, such as the written exams, are marked by external IB examiners, while internal assessments, such as projects or oral presentations, are graded by the student's teacher and then moderated by IB examiners. The scores from different assessments are combined, and students may earn up to 42 points from six subjects, with an additional 3 points available from the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the IB Extended Essay, for a maximum total of 45 points.
What units are on IB Computer Science (HL)?
You’ve likely covered a lot of material during your course this year, but to get a 7 on the International Baccalaureate exam, it’s important you understand how often each topic shows up. Once you take a look through the breakdown below, make sure to read through the IB Computer Science HL study guide above with all the key points you should know for each unit. The Computer Science revision notes are made by other students who already took that class. After that, run through the IB Computer Science HL flashcards to practice important terms you should know for the exam. You can also do some test prep using the tests attached to each note. There’s a lot of IB Computer Science resources for you to shuffle between until you find the method that works best for your learning style. Make sure to start ahead and leave enough time to practice.
What are the video resources?
When approaching your IB Computer Science exam review, take some time to understand how the different units are actually broken up so you can place the right emphasis on each one.
Unit 1: System Fundamentals
Unit 2: Computer Organization
Unit 3: Networks
Unit 4: Computational Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Programming
Unit 5: Abstract Data Structures
Unit 6: Resource Management
Unit 7: Control
Unit 8: Databases
Unit 9: Modeling and Simulation
Unit 10: Web Science
Unit 11: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Where can I ask IB Computer Science (HL) questions?
IB Computer Science HL requires strong problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and a solid understanding of computational thinking. You’ll need to master concepts in system fundamentals, computer organization, data structures, algorithms, and computational thinking, while applying them to both theoretical and practical problems.
What is IB Computer Science (HL)?
We’ve handpicked some of our favorite YouTube channels and videos that align with the key topics and themes covered in our IB Computer Science HL study guides. These channels can be a great way to get a better understanding of fundamental topics such as system fundamentals, computer organization, data structures, algorithms, and computational thinking. Experience practical learning through coding projects and interactive classroom activities, while employing problem-solving techniques to tackle complex computational challenges.