IB Internal Assessment Help: IA Guidance for Every Subject
The Internal Assessment is the part of the IB that students are left most alone with. Supervisors are managing twenty candidates, feedback is limited to one formal draft in most schools, and the criteria are published but rarely taught. Meanwhile the IA is worth 20% or more of most subject grades, a substantial share of the diploma.
QFS works with students through the whole IA cycle, from choosing a topic that can actually score to reviewing a draft against the published criteria. We guide and question. Students write.
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Total hours Taught
What the IA is worth in your subjects
Weightings can change by course version. Confirm these figures against your current subject guide.
| Group | Subject | Component | SL weighting | HL weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
English A (Lang & Lit / Literature) |
Individual Oral |
30% |
20% |
|
3 |
Economics |
Portfolio of 3 commentaries |
30% |
20% |
|
3 |
Business Management |
Business Research Project |
30% |
25% |
|
3 |
Psychology |
Experimental Study Report |
25% |
30% |
|
3 |
History |
Historical Investigation |
25% |
20% |
|
3 |
Geography |
Fieldwork Investigation |
25% |
20% |
|
4 |
Physics / Chemistry / Biology |
Scientific Investigation |
20% |
20% |
|
4 |
Computer Science |
The solution |
30% |
20% |
|
5 |
Mathematics AA / AI |
The exploration |
20% |
20% |
The IA timeline — and why most problems are calendar problems
Six IAs do not arrive one at a time. In most IB schools the briefs are issued across Grade 11 and final submissions cluster in a single term of Grade 12, alongside the Extended Essay, TOK essay and mock examinations.
IA support by subject
Each subject’s IA is a different task with different criteria and failure modes. Our support is subject-specific, delivered by the subject tutor, not by a generic “IA coach”.
Mathematics
Exploration topic scope, mathematical depth, communication and reflection
Physics
Research question, variable range, uncertainty propagation, evaluation
Chemistry
Feasibility, variable control, systematic error, quantitative treatment IB Chemistry
Biology
Replication, biological controls, statistical justification
Economics
Article selection, syllabus and key-concept linkage, diagram integration
Business Management
Client access, research question, tool selection
Psychology
Study selection for replication, hypothesis, statistical test choice
Computer Science
Client and requirements, scope, development documentation
For the full framework, see our IB Internal Assessment guide.
Start with a free demo class today.
We will tell you whether the problem is content, technique or timing — and what a realistic target for your session is. No number designed to close a sale.
What a QFS IA support cycle includes
01
Criteria session
Before any topic is chosen, the student learns what each criterion actually rewards, with examples of what does and does not score.
02
Topic review
The student brings two or three candidate topics. We stress-test each for data, depth, time, resources and scope.
03
Methodology planning
Design, variables, sample or dataset — and, critically, what could go wrong and how to know early.
04
Milestone check-ins
Scheduled against the school’s deadlines, so the student is never presenting a first draft as a final draft.
05
Criteria-referenced draft review
We identify which published criterion is currently costing marks and why. We do not edit the text.
06
Final readiness check
Word count, referencing, appendices, and whether every criterion has been evidenced.
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Student testimonial
Hear what students and parents say about their experience with our IB online classes and expert academic support.
I’m incredibly happy to share that I scored 7/7 in IB Maths HL, and I owe a huge part of my success to Quest for Success. They truly offer the best coaching for IB, with experienced teachers who deeply understand the IB curriculum and know how to simplify even the toughest concepts. Their IB prep courses were structured, focused, and tailored to my needs. The personalised attention, doubt-solving sessions, and extensive practice papers gave me the confidence to aim for the highest score. If you’re looking for IB classes in India that combine expertise with genuine care for students, I highly recommend Quest for Success. They helped me achieve my academic goals and develop a strong love for mathematics. Thanks to them, I’m ready for the next stage of my journey!
Achieving a perfect 7/7 in IB Math HL has been an incredible milestone for me, and I couldn’t have done it without Quest for Success. Their IB exam coaching was exceptionally thorough, helping me build strong fundamentals and tackle complex problems with confidence. The team at Quest for Success truly consists of the best online IB tutors, who made learning engaging and personalised. Even during tight schedules, their IB crash course helped me revise efficiently and focus on exam strategies that made a real difference in my score. I’m grateful for their support and highly recommend Quest for Success to any student aiming for top scores in IB. They don’t just teach—they inspire you to believe in your potential!
I’m so thrilled to share that I scored a perfect 7/7 in IB Math HL, and I owe so much of my success to Quest for Success. Their online IB course was incredibly well-structured and made even the most challenging topics clear and manageable. Quest for Success truly offers the best IB classes, with teachers who are not only experts in the IB curriculum but also amazing mentors who guide you every step of the way. Their online IB classes were interactive, flexible, and tailored to my pace, which helped me stay motivated and consistent in my preparation. I highly recommend Quest for Success to any IB student who wants to aim high and achieve great results. They made learning enjoyable and helped me reach my goal!
Achieving a 7/7 in IB Math HL has been one of the highlights of my academic journey, and Quest for Success played a huge role in making it possible. They truly offer the best IB classes, with teachers who are passionate, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. Their online IB classes made learning so flexible and engaging, allowing me to study at my own pace while still getting personalised guidance. Quest for Success provides the best IB coaching, focusing not just on academics but also on building confidence and exam strategies. For anyone looking for online coaching for IB, I can’t recommend Quest for Success enough. They made a challenging journey enjoyable and helped me achieve my dream score!
Quest for Success played a very important role in helping me achieve 7/7 in both IB Math HL and IB Physics HL. The IB classes were extremely well-structured, and what stood out was the focus on understanding concepts deeply rather than just memorizing methods. The teachers were very patient and always made sure I was clear with fundamentals before moving on to more advanced problems.
What really helped me was the consistent practice and the way difficult topics were broken down into simpler steps. The regular feedback and one-on-one attention made it easier to identify my weak areas and improve steadily. Over time, I became much more confident in solving complex questions, especially under exam pressure.
My experience with Quest for Success IB classes was extremely positive and played a key role in helping me score 7/7 in both Chemistry HL and Physics HL. The teaching approach was very clear and structured, and even the most challenging concepts were explained in a way that made them easy to understand.
The IB classes focused a lot on application-based learning, which is very important for IB exams. I especially found the targeted practice and exam-oriented preparation very useful, as it helped me get familiar with different types of questions and improve my time management.
Another thing I appreciated was the continuous support and detailed feedback from the teachers. They were always available to clarify doubts and guide me whenever I got stuck. This consistent guidance helped me stay on track and improve my performance over time.
My experience with Quest for Success IB classes was extremely helpful in achieving a 7/7 in IB Math HL. The classes were very well-structured, and the focus was always on building a strong understanding of concepts rather than just solving problems mechanically.
What I found especially useful was how complex topics were broken down into simple, manageable steps. The teachers were very supportive and always ensured that I was comfortable with each concept before moving ahead. The regular practice sessions and targeted question-solving really helped me improve both accuracy and speed.
frequently asked questions
Will you write my IA?
No. We guide, question and review; students write their own work. This is a firm policy and it applies to every subject, every deadline and every circumstance.
Can you review a draft I have already written?
Yes. We read it against the published criteria for your subject and tell you specifically which criterion is limiting the grade and what would move it. You make the changes.
How much is the IA worth?
It varies by subject and level, typically around 20% and higher in several subjects. Check the weighting table above for your subject and level, and confirm against your current subject guide.
When should I start my IA?
Earlier than your school requires. For science and mathematics IAs, data collection is the constraint; starting in Grade 11 term 2 gives you room to repeat data that does not work.
Can you help if my topic has already been approved and is not working?
Often, yes — sometimes by narrowing the question rather than changing the topic. Bring it to us early rather than after the data is collected.
Do you help with IAs for subjects QFS does not tutor?
We only support IAs in subjects where we have a specialist, because generic IA advice is worth very little. Ask, and we will tell you honestly.
Will my school know I am getting IA support?
That is your decision, but we recommend transparency and are happy to speak to your supervisor. Legitimate external support is not prohibited; undisclosed authorship is.
What if my supervisor gives feedback that contradicts yours?
Follow your supervisor. They know the school’s internal standardisation and submit the work. Where we disagree, we explain the reasoning so you can raise it with them.
Do you support Extended Essay and TOK as well?
Yes — QFS also provides IB Extended Essay help and IB TOK help.
How many sessions does IA support usually take?
Between four and eight per subject across the cycle for most students — criteria, topic, methodology, two or three milestone reviews and a final check.