Assessment Criteria and Common Pitfalls

Understanding exactly how examiners award marks lets you write toward the bands rather than hoping to stumble into them. Papers 1 and 2 share the same four-criterion architecture, so mastering it pays off twice. All grade estimates discussed here are unofficial guidance for self-assessment, not official IB boundaries.

The shared four criteria, decoded

Both papers are marked on A, B, C, and D. The wording differs slightly, but the logic is consistent:

• Criterion A — Understanding / knowledge and interpretation: In Paper 1, this rewards understanding the unseen passage and supporting an interpretation with apt references. In Paper 2, it rewards deep knowledge of both works and insightful interpretation in service of the question. Weak A looks like paraphrase; strong A looks like insight anch