IB Computer Science HL · 2027 specimen
3.4 Alternative databases
20 past paper questions from 4 papers across 2 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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HL archive · 2026 to 2027
3.4 Alternative databases
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
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Micro-topics in 3.4 Alternative databases
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.
- Less common
last Spec 27 P1
- Occasional
last May 26 P2 TZ3
- Occasional
last May 26 P2 TZ3
- Less common
last Spec 27 P1
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Questions per year for each micro-topic.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2019 | 2020 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ·OLAP and data mining, 2014: 0 questions | ·OLAP and data mining, 2015: 0 questions | ·OLAP and data mining, 2016: 0 questions | ·OLAP and data mining, 2017: 0 questions | ·OLAP and data mining, 2019: 0 questions | ·OLAP and data mining, 2020: 0 questions | ·OLAP and data mining, 2023: 0 questions | ·OLAP and data mining, 2024: 0 questions | ·OLAP and data mining, 2025: 0 questions | 12OLAP and data mining, 2026: 12 questions | ·OLAP and data mining, 2027: 0 questions | |
| ·Data warehouses, 2014: 0 questions | ·Data warehouses, 2015: 0 questions | ·Data warehouses, 2016: 0 questions | ·Data warehouses, 2017: 0 questions | ·Data warehouses, 2019: 0 questions | ·Data warehouses, 2020: 0 questions | ·Data warehouses, 2023: 0 questions | ·Data warehouses, 2024: 0 questions | ·Data warehouses, 2025: 0 questions | 6Data warehouses, 2026: 6 questions | ·Data warehouses, 2027: 0 questions | |
| ·Distributed databases, 2014: 0 questions | ·Distributed databases, 2015: 0 questions | ·Distributed databases, 2016: 0 questions | ·Distributed databases, 2017: 0 questions | ·Distributed databases, 2019: 0 questions | ·Distributed databases, 2020: 0 questions | ·Distributed databases, 2023: 0 questions | ·Distributed databases, 2024: 0 questions | ·Distributed databases, 2025: 0 questions | ·Distributed databases, 2026: 0 questions | 1Distributed databases, 2027: 1 question | |
| ·Types of database, 2014: 0 questions | ·Types of database, 2015: 0 questions | ·Types of database, 2016: 0 questions | ·Types of database, 2017: 0 questions | ·Types of database, 2019: 0 questions | ·Types of database, 2020: 0 questions | ·Types of database, 2023: 0 questions | ·Types of database, 2024: 0 questions | ·Types of database, 2025: 0 questions | ·Types of database, 2026: 0 questions | 1Types of database, 2027: 1 question |
- Occasionalin about one paper in ten
- Less commonin fewer than one paper in fifteen
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Computer Science HL exam sessions are covered for 3.4 Alternative databases?
14 exam sessions from 2026 to 2027, the latest Specimen 2027. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 4 papers in this archive.
Which 3.4 Alternative databases topic comes up most?
OLAP and data mining (3.4.3): in 14% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZ3. Usually "Describe", worth about 14 marks in a paper that includes it.
Can I see the original question and mark scheme?
No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.
What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?
Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.
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Reading this page and the exam pattern is free. A free account generates three sets of ten questions and launches one practice set. Pro opens every question in any scope, sets of twenty or all, and unlimited practice.
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