IB Visual Arts SL

Three components: a comparative study of works by different artists, a process portfolio of studio experimentation and reflection, and an exhibition of resolved artworks with a curatorial rationale. The first two are externally assessed; the exhibition is internally assessed and externally moderated. Your teacher can confirm the current submission requirements.

More than many candidates expect. The comparative study and process portfolio both demand clear analytical and reflective writing supported by images. Treat writing as part of the art-making, not an afterthought, and draft sections as you go rather than writing everything at the end.

It is demanding in a specific way: it rewards consistency and critical thinking rather than natural drawing talent alone. Students who document their process and can explain their decisions usually do well. Those who produce good work but cannot articulate intent or context often lose marks.

Retake arrangements depend on IB rules and your school's capacity to supervise and submit new or revised work. Ask your DP coordinator about eligibility and deadlines, and check the official IB site for the current policy, since the official body publishes the authoritative details.

Start the comparative study early so you have time to research contexts properly. Run studio experiments in parallel and record them as they happen. Reserve the final phase for selecting and resolving exhibition works and writing the curatorial rationale that ties them together.

Weak comparisons that describe works separately instead of connecting them; portfolios showing only finished pieces with no evidence of experimentation or failure; reflection that says 'I like it' rather than explaining decisions; and exhibitions where works have no coherent relationship to the rationale or to each other.

The number is set by the current IB subject guide and confirmed by your teacher, so do not rely on secondhand figures. What matters more is that each selected work is resolved and that the group reads as a considered, coherent body connected to your stated curatorial intention.

No. SL rewards sustained experimentation, so a range of media and processes can strengthen your portfolio. What must hold together is your inquiry: the works should show developing ideas and decisions, not a scatter of unrelated pieces. A clear thread matters more than a uniform look.

Keep a visual journal, draw or make regularly, and practise writing short analyses of artworks you encounter. Visit exhibitions and note what the curator did. Familiarity with describing visual evidence precisely and discussing context will make the comparative study much easier.