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COMPUTER-SCIENCE · IB Diploma Programme

COMPUTER-SCIENCE/21

Paper 2

Computer Science · 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Standard · 3.0/5

Analysis source: International Baccalaureate Organization

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.0 / 5

Total marks

70

Duration

90 min

Most tested topic

Computational thinking

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

70

Duration

90 min

Session difficulty

3.0 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The May 2024 IB Computer Science Standard Level (SL) Paper 1 represented a balanced assessment of core curriculum fundamentals.

2

Clocking in at 90 minutes for a total of 70 marks, the paper maintained its traditional split between the fast-paced theoretical recall of Section A and the algorithmic/problem-solving focus of Section B.

3

While some recall-heavy topics like OSI layers and binary conversions presented straightforward scoring opportunities, the algorithmic questions required high precision in logic and array handling.

4

Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Question difficulty map

How candidates performed on each question in this series

No data available in official reports

Assessment objectives

Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary

Theoretical Comprehension8
Algorithmic6
Design5
Logical4
Reasoning3
Technical2
Accurac1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Theoretical ComprehensionTheoreticalComprehensionAlgorithmicAlgorithmicDesignDesignLogicalLogicalReasoningReasoningTechnicalTechnicalAccuracAccurac
SkillWeightShare

  • Theoretical Comprehension

    Weight: 8100%

  • Algorithmic

    Weight: 675%

  • Design

    Weight: 563%

  • Logical

    Weight: 450%

  • Reasoning

    Weight: 338%

  • Technical

    Weight: 225%

  • Accurac

    Weight: 113%

Method marks watchlist

Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost

No data available in official reports

Recurring mistakes across years

Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject

No data available in official reports

Question choice intelligence

Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)

No data available in official reports

Level exemplars

What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like

No data available in official reports

Grade & admission context

How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards

Report type

IB subject report — grade distributions, IA weighting, and HL/SL distinctions

Level 7

Excellent — top band for competitive university offers

Level 6

Very good — strong HL performance

Level 5

Good — solid pass at higher level

Level 4

Satisfactory — minimum for many university credits

Level 3

Mediocre

Level 2

Poor

Level 1

Very poor

Deep insights

What top candidates did

Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series

No data available in official reports

Command word playbook

How to match each command word to the expected response style

IdentifyFrequency: 5

Name or point to the specific feature asked for — avoid extra explanation.

StateFrequency: 5

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 3

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

OutlineFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Outline” questions.

ConstructFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Construct” questions.

ExplainFrequency: 2

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

DefineFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “Define” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

No data available in official reports

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Computational thinking

30 marks this session

Networks

17 marks this session

System fundamentals

14 marks this session

Computer organization

9 marks this session

MCQ trap analytics

Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary

No data available in official reports

Topic heatmap across years

Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject

Mark intensity

LowHigh
Topic
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Computational thinking

25
30
21
76

Networks

19
17
20
56

System fundamentals

15
14
23
52

Object-oriented programming (OOP)

—
—
45
45

Computer organization

—
9
—
9

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202320242025
2023 2023 · 3.0/52024 2024 · 3.0/52025 June 2025 · 3.4/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Standard Level

Paper 1:

70 marks90 min

Marks you can still earn

Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit

No data available in official reports

Practise what examiners flagged

Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app

Computational thinking

30 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Networks

17 marks this session

Practise in Revui

System fundamentals

14 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Computer organization

9 marks this session

Practise in Revui

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The May 2024 IB Computer Science Standard Level (SL) Paper 1 represented a balanced assessment of core curriculum fundamentals.

  • 2Message

    Clocking in at 90 minutes for a total of 70 marks, the paper maintained its traditional split between the fast-paced theoretical recall of Section A and the algorithmic/problem-solving focus of Section B.

  • 3Message

    While some recall-heavy topics like OSI layers and binary conversions presented straightforward scoring opportunities, the algorithmic questions required high precision in logic and array handling.

  • 4Message

    Compare difficulty across recent years. Compare topic weight by year to spot recurring and returning areas.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2024 2024

Computer Science

The May 2024 IB Computer Science Standard Level (SL) Paper 1 represented a balanced assessment of core curriculum fundamentals. Clocking in at 90 minutes for a total of 70 marks, the paper maintained its traditional split between the fast-paced theoretical recall of Section A and

  • The May 2024 IB Computer Science Standard Level (SL) Paper 1 represented a balanced assessment of core curriculum fundamentals.

  • Clocking in at 90 minutes for a total of 70 marks, the paper maintained its traditional split between the fast-paced theoretical recall of Section A and the algorithmic/problem-solving focus of Section B.

  • While some recall-heavy topics like OSI layers and binary conversions presented straightforward scoring opportunities, the algorithmic questions required high precision in logic and array handling.

Total marks
70
Duration
90 min
Session difficulty
3.0 / 5

Session analysis

The May 2024 IB Computer Science Standard Level (SL) Paper 1 represented a balanced assessment of core curriculum fundamentals. Clocking in at 90 minutes for a total of 70 marks, the paper maintained its traditional split between the fast-paced theoretical recall of Section A and the algorithmic/problem-solving focus of Section B. While some recall-heavy topics like OSI layers and binary conversions presented straightforward scoring opportunities, the algorithmic questions required high precision in logic and array handling.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Standard Level

Paper 1:

70 marks90 min

Top chapters

Computational thinking30 marks
Networks17 marks
System fundamentals14 marks
Computer organization9 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Computational thinking30 marks
Networks17 marks
System fundamentals14 marks
Computer organization9 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

77% within easy or medium reach

24
30
16
Easy: 24 marksMedium: 30 marksHard: 16 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Identify5 times
State5 times
Describe3 times
Outline3 times
Construct4 times
Explain2 times
Define2 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

70Marks

  • Theoretical Explanation

    28·8·40%

  • Short Answer & Theory Recall

    21·10·30%

  • Pseudocode Algorithm Construction

    15·3·21%

  • Logic Gate and Boolean Expression Evaluation

    6·2·9%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

Difficulty →Recurrence % →Logic Gates & Bool…Packet Switching P…Parallel Arrays & …System Installatio…

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

System Implementation / Changeover Methods

90%

90%

Data Backup and Prevention of Data Loss

85%

85%

Testing Strategies (Alpha/Beta)

80%

80%

Examiner's Perspective: May 2024 SL Paper 1 Analysis

The May 2024 IB Computer Science Standard Level (SL) Paper 1 represented a balanced assessment of core curriculum fundamentals. Clocking in at 90 minutes for a total of 70 marks, the paper maintained its traditional split between the fast-paced theoretical recall of Section A and the algorithmic/problem-solving focus of Section B. While some recall-heavy topics like OSI layers and binary conversions presented straightforward scoring opportunities, the algorithmic questions required high precision in logic and array handling.

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 20min
Total marks
65

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

COMPUTER-SCIENCE/21 — IB Diploma Programme Computer Science (2024) | Revui