Internal Assessment

Internal Assessment Information

	Background
	What is the Internal Assessment?
	Format
	Completion of Form 4/PSOW
	What the Criteria Mean

Background

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) awards all candidates a final score that ranges from 1 - 7 for knowledge demonstrated through the Internal Assessment and testing. A score of 4 is considered to be passing for those students earning a certificate. Students that are working on the IB diploma must earn a cumulative score of 24. This means that if the student earns a score of 4 in all six classes, they will have a cumulative score of 24. In the event that a score of less than 4 is earned in any one SL or HL class, the student will need to earn a 5 or better in another subject in order to make up the difference.

The IB biology internal assessment will comprise 24% of your total biology score. The remaining 76% of your grade is based on a set of three tests that are administered in the spring. The IB score is separate from the grade that a student earns in the class.

It is important that the internal assessment (IA) materials needed for the IBO are kept current by each individual student so the compilation of IA materials is facilitated. The IA is sent to the IBO in late March for moderation.

What is the Internal Assessment?

The IA is a collection of work completed by the student during the couse of the year. Each candidate must keep a Portfolio, (lab notebook), which is a compilation of all investigations carried out, and summarized on form 4/PSOW (Group 4 -- Experimental Science, Practical Scheme of Work). The Portfolio must include:

	A copy of the candidate's form 4/PSOW
	A contents page
	Instruction sheets and/or summaries of verbal instructions relating to each investigation
	Evidence of the candidate's involvement in the Group 4 Project
	Observations/drawings/diagrams
	Tables, graphs and 'partial' write-ups
	'Full' write-ups of 3-6 investigations

The Portfolio is also likely to include:

	Data analysis made in the field/laboratory
	Outcomes of data manipulation exercises
	Results of computer simulations

Format

A candidate's Portfolio of Investigations must be kept in a three-ring binder. All work must be clearly identified and cross-references with the candidate's 4/PSOW. The Portfolio must have a contents page and all pages must be numbered. The Portfolio must remain in room 211 to avoid being lost or misplaced.

Completion of form 4/PSOW.

Date(s) When each investigation was carried out

Outline A brief description of the investigation. The candidate's contribution to the Group 4 Project should also appear here.

Topic/option The number/letter of the one(s) most relevant (e.g. 7 or C)

Time An estimate of the time, in hours, spent by the candidate on the investigation, excluding any write-up time. Note: Biology SL students are required to demonstrate 40 hours of laboratory/field investigations in their Portfolios. Biology HL students are required to demonstrate 60 hours of laboratory/field investigations in their Portfolios.

Levels The numerical value (0-3) awarded for each criterion. The same levels apply to both Higher Level and Standard Level.

Summative Levels The final level awarded in each of the criteria.

Total The total of the summative levels.

Each of the criteria Planning (a), Pl(a); Planning (b), Pl(b); Data Collection, DC; Data Analysis, DA; and Evaluation, EV; must have been assessed on two occasions, indicated by levels 0-3 on form 4/PSOW. The criteria Manipulative Skills, MS; Personal Skills (a), PS(a); and Personal Skills (b), PS(b); must have been addressed on two occasions, indicated by ticks/checks on form 4/PSOW. Addressed means that candidates have been exposed to investigations that allowed for the evaluation and/or development of these skills.

What the Criteria Mean

Criterion	Aspects				Levels
Planning (a)	The problem/research question is stated clearly c p n	The hypothesis (prediction) is directly related to the research question and it is explained (quantitatively where appropriate) c p n		The key variable(s) are selected c p n	ccc 3 ccp ccn ccp 2 ppp cpn cnn ppn 1 pnn nnn 0
Planning (b)	Appropriate apparatus/materials are selected (diagrams may be acceptable) c p n	A realistic method that allows for the control of the variables is designed. c p n		A method that allows for the collection of sufficient relevant data and excludes the collection of irrelevant data is designed. c p n	ccc 3 ccp ccn ccp 2 ppp cpn cnn ppn 1 ppn nnn 0
Data Collection	Raw data (qualitative/quantitative) is recorded appropriately, including units and uncertainties where necessary. c p n		Raw data is presented clearly, allowing for easy interpretation. c p n		cc 3 cp 2 cn pp 1 pn nn 0
Data Analysis	The raw data is processed correctly to produce results that help interpretation; where appropriate, error analysis is included. c p n		Data/results are presented appropriately and effectively; where relevant, errors and uncertainties are taken into account c p n		cc 3 cp 2 cn pp 1 pn nn 0
Evaluation	A valid conclusion (based on the correct interpretation of the results), with an explanation, is given; where appropriate, results are compared with literature values. c p n	The procedure (apparatus, materials and method) including limitation, weaknesses or errors in manipulation, is evaluated (discussion of the limitations of data analysis may be included). c p n		Suggestions to improve the investigation following the identification of weakness(es) are stated. c p n	ccc 3 ccp ccn ccp 2 ppp cpn cnn ppn 1 ppn nnn 0

Manipulative Skills			Level Awarded
Aspects	Carrying out a range of techniques proficiency with due attention to safety	Following a variety of instructions	cc 3 cp 2 cn pp 1 pn nn 0
Complete	A wide range of techniques can be carried out with proficiency and appropriate attention paid to safety	A variety of instructions can be followed accurately and little (or no) assistance is required in adapting to new circumstances
Partial	A limited range of techniques can be carried out with proficiency and appropriate attention paid to safety	A variety of instructions can be followed, mostly accurately, but some assistance may be required
Not at all	Only little attention is paid to safety, whatever the range of techniques that can be carried out with proficiency	Some instructions can be followed accurately, but assistance is required.

Personal Skills (a)				Level Awarded
	Working within a team	Recognizing the contributions of others	Encouraging the contributions of others	ccc 3 ccp ccn cpp 2 ppp cpn cnn ppn 1 pnn nnn 0
Complete	Teams, whose members collaborate, can be formed with a wide variety of people.	The views of all other members of the team are acknowledged and respected.	The views of all other members of the team are expected and actively sought, even those members that are reluctant or less confident
Partial	Teams can be formed with a variety of people, but members may not always collaborate.	The views of most members of the team are acknowledged.	The views of the more confident members of the team are expected and actively sought.
Not at all	Teams can be formed with a limited of people, but members may not always collaborate.	The views of some members of the team are acknowledged with reluctance.	The views of other members of the team are sought, but only after prompting.

Personal Skills (b)				Level Awarded
	Approaching scientific investigations with self-motivation and perseverance.	Approaching scientific investigations in an ethical manner.	Approaching scientific investigations while paying due attention to the environmental impact.	ccc 3 ccp ccn cpp 2 ppp cpn cnn ppn 1 pnn nnn 0
Complete	Scientific investigations can be approached independently with initiative and followed through to completion.	Considerable attention is paid to the ethical aspects of scientific investigations including authenticity of data and information, and the approach to materials (living or non-living).	Considerable attention is paid to the environmental impact of scientific investigations.
Partial	Scientific investigations can be approached independently and followed through to completion.	Some attention is paid to the ethical aspects of scientific investigations including authenticity of data and information, and the approach to materials (living or non-living).	Some attention is paid to the environmental impact of scientific investigations.
Not at all	Scientific investigations can not be approached independently or followed through to completion	Little attention is paid to the ethical aspects of scientific investigations including authenticity of data and information, and the approach to materials (living or non-living).	Little attention is paid to the environmental impact of scientific investigations.

Internal Assessment Information

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