IB Computer Science SL exam-day guide
IB Computer Science SL · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Know your paper structure and timing
IB Computer Science SL is assessed by external exams (typically Paper 1 and Paper 2) plus an internal assessment. Confirm the exact number of papers, their duration, and weighting for your examination session with your teacher or the IB coordinator, since structures can change between sessions.
Bring your candidate number and session details
Know your candidate number and the session your coordinator assigned. The school handles registration, but you should be able to state your candidate number if asked. Confirm any ID requirement with your coordinator.
Bring permitted stationery
Bring black or blue pens, pencils, an eraser, and a ruler. Use only stationery your coordinator confirms is permitted; check whether pencil is allowed for diagrams or only for multiple-choice answer sheets.
Bring an approved calculator if permitted
Some Computer Science questions involve number bases, storage sizes, or simple calculations. Confirm with your coordinator whether a calculator is permitted for your papers and, if so, which models are approved. Do not assume; phrase as confirm with the provider.
Leave phones and smart devices outside the exam room
Mobile phones, smart watches, and any wearable or networked device are almost always prohibited in the exam room. Confirm the school's storage arrangements with your coordinator the day before.
Review the command terms
Know what 'state', 'describe', 'explain', 'compare', 'evaluate', and 'construct' require. Marks are allocated by command term, so match the depth of your answer to the verb.
Rehearse pseudocode and trace tables
Practice tracing short algorithms by hand and writing pseudocode in a clear, consistent style. Be ready to complete trace tables, identify logic errors, and write small algorithms without a computer.
Prepare for diagram-based questions
Be able to draw and label simple diagrams such as flowcharts, system flowcharts, and logic gates, and to read truth tables. Bring a ruler and use pencil if your coordinator confirms it is allowed for diagrams.
Know the key definitions cold
Revise definitions of core terms (e.g., abstraction, decomposition, algorithm, protocol, primary and secondary storage, operating system functions, network topologies). Short definition questions are easy marks if recall is precise.
Plan your internal assessment status
The IA is internally assessed and externally moderated. Confirm with your teacher that your IA has been submitted and that you understand how it contributes to your final grade.
Sleep, eat, and arrive early
Arrive at least 15-20 minutes before the start time with water and a snack for afterwards. Confirm the exact reporting time and room with your coordinator.
Check the official regulations
Read the current IB conduct and examination regulations for your session. If anything is unclear, confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
Plan the day
Do targeted revision, not new learning. Re-read your summary notes on the four SL topics (computer systems, networks, databases, and computational thinking/problem-solving) and the optional or case-study material your school studied. Work through past-paper-style questions under timed conditions, then mark them against mark schemes and note recurring command-term mistakes. Rehearse pseudocode and trace tables daily. Confirm exam room, start time, and permitted equipment with your coordinator.
Light revision only: skim definitions, command terms, and your personal error list. Pack your stationery, calculator (if permitted), water, and any permitted materials. Charge nothing you cannot bring in; leave devices at home or plan storage. Set two alarms, check transport, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Avoid cramming new topics the night before.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive early. Hand over phones and smart devices as directed. Read the front of the paper carefully: check the number of questions, the marks per question, and any instructions. Note the start and finish times and plan roughly one minute per mark, leaving time to check.
Read the whole paper briefly, then answer in order, starting with questions you can do confidently. Match answer length to the command term and mark allocation: a 4-mark 'explain' needs more than a 1-mark 'state'. Show working for calculations and label diagrams. For trace tables, follow each variable column by column and write the final output. If a question is unclear, write your best interpretation and move on; return later. Leave 5-10 minutes to check that every question is attempted and that units, bases, and diagram labels are correct.
Rules to check
Bring only permitted items into the exam room. Phones, smart watches, and other networked or wearable devices are generally prohibited; confirm the exact list and storage arrangements with your coordinator.
Follow all instructions from the invigilator. Do not start writing before you are told and stop immediately when time is called; writing after the stop instruction can lead to a misconduct investigation.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not share or discuss paper content with anyone until the IB's confidentiality period ends. Confirm the exact rules with your coordinator.
If you need to leave the room (for example, for a toilet break), raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. Confirm your school's break policy and whether you will be accompanied or supervised on return.
If you feel unwell or believe there is an error in the paper, tell the invigilator immediately. Do not attempt to resolve it yourself.
Carry out any ID check the school requires. The exact identification requirement varies by school and session, so confirm with the provider in advance.
Marks are awarded against mark schemes, so answer the question asked, use the correct command term, and give the number of points the mark allocation suggests. Unsupported or off-topic answers earn little credit.
Academic honesty applies to all work, including the internal assessment. Do not plagiarise code or written work, and acknowledge sources. Confirm the current academic honesty requirements with your teacher.