ib computer science case study 2023 questions

External Assessment — Paper 3 #

Paper 3 asks a number of questions related to a pre-released case study .

Here is the case study for use in May and November 2024

Case studies from other years .

The maximum number of marks you can get for Paper 3 is 30. Your Paper 3 score translates into 20% of your final HL grade, see grade boundaries .

Grade boundaries #

Computer science course has a variety of assessment components. Paper 3 is marked using markschemes and markbands and assigned a numerical mark by the external examiner. Grade boundaries are then applied to determine the overall grade on the 1-7 scale for this component.

These boundaries have no impact on your final grade. However, they may be used to estimate the difficulty of the component.

Higher Level #

IBDP Computer Science SL&HL: IB Style Questions Bank – All Papers

IB DP Physics IB DP Maths IB DP Chemistry IB DP Biology

• Time: 90 minutes (70 marks)
• A problem-solving paper
• Topics 1 to 4

Internal Assessment

• Time: 130 minutes (100 marks)
• Topic 1 to 7
• Based on Case Study

Topic 1: System fundamentals

• Topic 1.1 – Systems in organizations SL Paper 1
• Topic 1.1 – Systems in organizations HL Paper 1
• Topic 1.2 – System design basics SL Paper 1
• Topic 1.2 – System design basics HL Paper 1

Topic 2: Computer organization

• Topic 2.1 – Computer organization SL Paper 1
• Topic 2.1 – Computer organization HL Paper 1

Topic 3: Networks

• Topic 3.1 – Networks SL Paper 1 
• Topic 3.1 – Networks HL Paper 1

Topic 4: Computational thinking, problem-solving and programming

• Topic 4.1 – General principles SL Paper 1
• Topic 4.1 – General principles HL Paper 1
• Topic 4.2 – Connecting computational thinking and program design SL Paper 1
• Topic 4.2 – Connecting computational thinking and program design HL Paper 1
• Topic 4.3 – Introduction to programming SL Paper 1
• Topic 4.3 – Introduction to programming HL Paper 1

Topic 5: Abstract data structures

• Topic 5.1 – Abstract data structures SL Paper 1
• Topic 5.1 – Abstract data structures HL Paper 1

Topic 6: Resource management

• Topic 6.1 – Resource management SL Paper 1
• Topic 6.1 – Resource management HL Paper 1

Topic 7: Control

• Topic 7.1 – Control SL Paper 1
• Topic 7.1 – Control HL Paper 1

Option A: Databases

• Topic A.1 – Basic concepts SL Paper 2
• Topic A.1 – Basic concepts HL Paper 2
• Topic A.2 – The relational database model SL Paper 2
• Topic A.2 – The relational database model HL Paper 2
• Topic A.3 – Further aspects of database management SL Paper 2
• Topic A.3 – Further aspects of database management HL Paper 2
• Topic A.4 – Further database models and database analysis SL Paper 2
• Topic A.4 – Further database models and database analysis HL Paper 2

Option B: Modelling and simulation

• Topic B.1 – The basic model SL Paper 2
• Topic B.1 – The basic model HL Paper 2
• Topic B.2 – Simulations SL Paper 2
• Topic B.2 – Simulations HL Paper 2
• Topic B.3 – Visualization SL Paper 2
• Topic B.3 – Visualization HL Paper 2
• Topic B.4 – Communication modelling and simulation SL Paper 2
• Topic B.4 – Communication modelling and simulation HL Paper 2

Option C: Web science

• Topic C.1 – Creating the web SL Paper 2
• Topic C.1 – Creating the web HL Paper 2
• Topic C.2 – Searching the web SL Paper 2
• Topic C.2 – Searching the web HL Paper 2
• Topic C.3 – Distributed approaches to the web SL Paper 2
• Topic C.3 – Distributed approaches to the web HL Paper 2
• Topic C.4 – The evolving web SL Paper 2
• Topic C.4 – The evolving web HL Paper 2
• Topic C.5 – Analysing the web SL Paper 2
• Topic C.5 – Analysing the web HL Paper 2
• Topic C.6 – The intelligent web SL Paper 2
• Topic C.6 – The intelligent web HL Paper 2

Option D: Object-oriented programming

• Topic D.1 – Objects as a programming concept SL Paper 2
• Topic D.1 – Objects as a programming concept HL Paper 2
• Topic D.2 – Features of OOP SL Paper 2
• Topic D.2 – Features of OOP HL Paper 2
• Topic D.3 – Program development SL Paper 2
• Topic D.3 – Program development HL Paper 2
• Topic D.4 – Advanced program development SL Paper 2
• Topic D.4 – Advanced program development HL Paper 2

Core syllabus SL/HL core • Topic 1: System fundamentals • Topic 2: Computer organization • Topic 3: Networks • Topic 4: Computational thinking, problem-solving & programming

HL extension (For HL Only) • Topic 5: Abstract data structures • Topic 6: Resource management • Topic 7: Control Case study

Option SL/HL Students study one of the following options: • Option A: Databases • Option B: Modelling and simulation • Option C: Web science • Option D: Object-oriented programming (OOP) Internal assessment Solution Practical application of skills through the development of a product and associated documentation Group 4 project Additional subject content introduced by the annually issued case study

Here are some steps you can follow to prepare effectively:

Study the syllabus: Make sure you understand the topics that are covered in the IB DP Computer Science syllabus. This will give you a clear idea of what to expect on the exams.

Review class notes and textbooks: Regularly review your class notes and textbooks to reinforce your understanding of the material.

Practice, practice, practice: Practice solving Computer Science problems as much as possible. Try to work through as many practice questions and Mock tests as you can find here at iitianacademy.com . This will help you get a feel for the types of questions you can expect on the exams and build your problem-solving skills.

Seek help when needed: If you’re struggling with a particular concept, don’t hesitate to ask your teacher or a tutor for help.

Stay organized: Make sure to keep track of important formulas, equations, and concepts so you can easily reference them when you need to.

Stay up-to-date on current events in Computer Science: Being knowledgeable about current developments in Computer Science can help you better understand the applications of the concepts you are learning.

Computer science

Computer science previously formed a subject in group 5 of the Diploma Programme curriculum but now lies within group 4. As such, it is regarded as a science, alongside biology, chemistry, design technology, physics, environmental systems and societies and sports, exercise and health science.

 This group change is significant as it means DP students can now select computer science as their group 4 subject rather than having to select it in addition to mathematics as was previously the case. 

The IB computer science course is a rigorous and practical problem-solving discipline. Features and benefits of the curriculum and assessment of are as follows: 

Learn more about computer science in a DP workshop for teachers . 

Computer science subject brief

Subject briefs are short two-page documents providing an outline of the course. Read the standard level (SL) and/or higher level (HL) subject brief below. 

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IB CompSci Hub

For HL students only , the third exam involves doing research on a topic that is released by the IBO every year.

Here is what the moderator suggests in preparation for this exam:

Higher Level Paper 3 is a paper that demands significant research on the part of the candidate , guided, of course, by the class teacher. When it comes to answering questions, the focus throughout the paper is on the depth of understanding of the subject material. This is not a paper that can be answered successfully with general knowledge acquired through brief encounters with the material, but only through a well-planned course which places sufficient emphasis on the candidates’ own responsibility to research the case study in depth.

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to plan for this paper a year in advance. One possible way to start is to get the students to contextualize the various terms and ideas , many of which will initially be unfamiliar. Getting the class to construct mind maps linking these terms and ideas is one possibility. Dividing up the additional terminology amongst the class and setting them research over their vacation is another. It is envisaged that research undertaken outside of the classroom will feature heavily.

This paper clearly rewards those students who are prepared to research in depth the various areas in the relevant case study and who are able to demonstrate their understanding in the examination. This should be made clear to

Because this website is no longer updated regularly, please see this website for details on the most recent Paper 3 Case Study: Block Chain Case Study 2020-2021

Note that the 2021 case study is a repeat of the 2020 case study (see the front page of the case study for confirmation)

Paper 3 Practice Papers + Guide + Slides (2024)

This guide includes all of the content that you need to know for Paper 3 of the IB Computer Science HL exam. In addition, 2 practice papers with sample answers are included, written by an experienced IB Computer Science teacher.

Also included are the slides from the Youtube video on this topic.

Note: This corresponds to the 2024 Case Study: Rescue Robot.

Click here to see a preview.

Study Guide, 2 Practice Papers w/ Answers, Slides