At a glance
- New guide
- First teaching Aug 2025, first exams May 2027
- Languages
- Java or Python
- Paper 1
- Theme A plus pre-seen case study
- Paper 2
- Theme B: programming and problem solving
- IA
- Computational solution, about 35 hours
Assessment from May 2027
| Component | SL | HL | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1 h 15 min, 35% | 2 h, 40% | Theme A concepts and the pre-seen case study (SL two case study challenges, HL four) |
| Paper 2 | 1 h 15 min, 35% | 2 h, 40% | Theme B computational thinking and programming, with Java and Python versions |
| Computational solution (IA) | 30% | 20% | A program solving a real problem of the student's choice, with a written document and a short video |
Published guidance describes the IA as about 35 hours, with a single document of up to 2,000 words, a video of up to 5 minutes showing the solution working, and source code in an appendix.
What changed from the old course
The previous course had three HL papers, an option topic and a client-based IA. The new course has two papers at both levels, adds machine learning and more on databases to the theory, and lets students program in Python as well as Java. The IA no longer requires a real client; students build a computational solution to a problem they choose.
This matters for families buying revision materials or looking at past papers: anything written for the old course (including the old options and Paper 3) will only partly match. Specimen papers and resources labelled for first assessment 2027 are the ones to use.
Where students struggle
- Writing code on paper. Paper 2 asks for code or pseudocode without an editor, so syntax habits and tracing by hand need practice.
- Object-oriented design. Classes, inheritance and encapsulation are easy to recognise and harder to apply in a fresh problem.
- Theory precision. Networking, databases and machine learning questions reward exact definitions and comparisons, not loose descriptions.
- The case study. Students who read the pre-seen case once and stop rarely handle the challenge questions well.
- Scope of the IA. Projects that are too ambitious stall; projects that are too simple cannot show enough complexity.
How one-to-one Computer Science lessons work
A tutor who teaches IB Computer Science splits time between programming and theory. Programming lessons use short problems in the student's chosen language: write it, trace it, test it, then rewrite it on paper as the exam requires. Theory lessons work through definitions and exam-style comparisons, with diagrams of networks or database structures drawn on the shared whiteboard.
For the IA, the tutor helps the student scope a realistic project, plan its structure and testing, and understand what the criteria reward. The code, video and document must be the student's own work. In the months before exams, lessons focus on the case study and timed papers.
Check the guide before buying resources
Many textbooks and question banks online still cover the pre-2027 course. Ask for resources marked "first assessment 2027" and confirm with the school which language (Java or Python) is taught.
Common questions
Does my child need to know programming before starting IB Computer Science?
Not formally, but published guidance recommends that HL students have some prior programming exposure. Students new to programming benefit from early, regular practice.
Java or Python?
The new course allows either. Schools usually choose one for the class; students should practise in the language the school teaches and examines.
What is the computational solution?
The internal assessment: a program the student builds to solve a real problem of their choosing, with a written document and a short demonstration video. It is worth 30% at SL and 20% at HL.
Are old past papers still useful?
Partly. Programming logic and some theory carry over, but the paper structure, case study format and several topics are different. Use them selectively alongside specimen papers for 2027.
How much do IB Computer Science lessons cost?
$15 a lesson, the same rate for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one and online, and the first is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.