Understanding IA Marking Criteria
Internal Assessments (IAs) are marked against specific criteria that vary by subject. This guide explains the general grading scale and what examiners look for.
Grade A
High level of creativity, personal engagement, and exploration. Clear understanding of biological concepts with excellent analysis and evaluation.
Key indicators: Excellent understanding, depth of analysis, strong personal engagement
Grade B
Good level of creativity and engagement. Clear understanding with solid analysis, though some aspects could be more developed.
Key indicators: Good understanding, adequate analysis, decent engagement
Grade C
Adequate level of creativity and engagement. Basic understanding with some analysis, but lacks depth in exploration.
Key indicators: Satisfactory understanding, basic analysis, limited engagement
Grade D
Limited creativity and engagement. Minimal understanding with little analysis. Work is descriptive rather than analytical.
Key indicators: Limited understanding, weak analysis, minimal engagement
Grade E
Very limited creativity and engagement. Poor understanding with no meaningful analysis. Fails to meet basic requirements.
Key indicators: Poor understanding, no analysis, no engagement
Common Assessment Criteria
Personal Engagement (8 marks): Your independent thinking, initiative, and personal investment in the topic.
Exploration (6 marks): How well you planned, researched, and structured your investigation.
Analysis (6 marks): Your use of scientific methods, techniques, and mathematical processing.
Evaluation (6 marks): Your reflection on the investigation and consideration of limitations.
Communication (4 marks): How clearly you present your work with proper structure and referencing.
💡 Pro Tips for Scoring Well
- • Choose a topic you're genuinely interested in - personal engagement counts for 8 marks!
- • Start your investigation early - rushed work lacks depth and analysis
- • Focus on quality over quantity - 10-15 pages of quality work beats 30 pages of fluff
- • Use primary sources where possible and cite them properly
- • Show your personal connection to the topic in your reflection