IB Computer Science 2027

For the new IB Diploma Computer Science syllabus to start teaching in August 2025, and for first examinations in May 2027.

Content will be updated gradually as developed in preparation for teaching the new course in August.

Course overview

Course syllabus official PDF by the IBO
Course syllabus text
Course poster poster
FAQ about the new course
Computer Science for the IB Diploma textbook
By Baumgarten, Ganea, & Turland
Published by Hachette Learning ISBN 9781036009007 and authorised by the IBO.
Order from Hachette or Amazon

I will be teaching a topic based scope and sequence at Sha Tin College.

The new Internal Assessment criteria are as follows:

Criterion	Deliverables	Word count
Criteria A	Scenario / computational context / success criteria	300 words
Criteria B	Decomposition and planning overview (eg: Project structure chart, GANTT chart)	150 words plus diagrams
Criteria C	System overview (system model, algorithm designs, testing strategy)	150 words plus diagrams
Criteria D	Development document (functional product, algorithms implemented and evaluated, testing strategy effectiveness)	1000 words
Criteria D	Demonstration video (functionality, algorithms demonstrated, testing highlights)	5 minute video
Criteria E	Evaluation and recommendations	400 words

For those familar with the Internal Assessment of the old syllabus, the following are some noteworthy changes:

Students no longer require a client; They are producing the IA for themselves now. This is a positive move as there was always a tension between client needs and what the student needed from a project for their assessment. Now, students can select a project that both (a) interests them and (b) allows them to best showcase their algorithmic talnet.
The overall size and scope of the IA is roughly comparable to the old course. I anticipate my students still requiring considerable “at home” hours to complete the IA.
New criteria D is focused on students discussing their techniques used, with a specific focus on algorithms. While similar to the old criteria C, it is more explicit that the focus is algorithms which should help make the expectations clearer.
Assessment criteria rubrics - how will you be assessed?
Strategies to manage the IA - tips for staying organised and managing your first real large programming project.
Ideas and algorithms to consider - if you are lost for ideas
Guide to the IA - tips, common mistakes, checklists and more
Official samples and past student exemplars - learn from those who have gone before you
Using AI / LLMs in the IA - can you use code generated by chatgpt?
Tips for teachers) (based on the old IA - will be updated in due course for the new IA)

	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