IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen
IB Computer Science SL past papers
682 past paper questions from 46 papers across 23 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
SL archive · 2014 to 2027
IB Computer Science SL past papers
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
- questions
- 682
- questions
- papers
- 46
- papers
- exam sessions
- 23
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 54
Units in Computer Science SL
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
Unit 1
Computer fundamentals
12% of marks186 of the 1601 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (12%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 98 questions
- DueCompression
- DueFunctions of the OS
Unit 2
Networks
16% of marks260 of the 1601 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (16%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 94 questions
- DueNetworking models
- RisingPacket switching
Unit 3
Databases
24% of marks377 of the 1601 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (24%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 159 questions
- DueUpdating data with SQL
- FadingNormal forms
Unit 4
Machine learning
1% of marks11 of the 1601 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (1%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 4 questions
Unit 5
Computational thinking
6% of marks101 of the 1601 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (6%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 37 questions
- RisingTracing flowcharts
- FadingComputational thinking
Unit 6
Programming
26% of marks409 of the 1601 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (26%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 188 questions
- DueBubble and selection sort
- RisingFile processing
Unit 7
Object-oriented programming
16% of marks257 of the 1601 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (16%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 102 questions
- RisingEncapsulation
- RisingStatic vs non-static
Papers in Computer Science SL
Each paper across every sitting. The ring is the share of the marks it carries.
26 sittings · calculator
Paper 1
49% of marks789 of the 1601 marks in the Computer Science SL archive were set in Paper 1, across 26 sittings. · 341 questions
Most tested What networks are for
20 sittings · calculator
Paper 2
51% of marks812 of the 1601 marks in the Computer Science SL archive were set in Paper 2, across 20 sittings. · 341 questions
Most tested Classes and objects
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 54 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.2.2Arrays and lists | 22Arrays and lists, 2014: 22 questions | 6Arrays and lists, 2015: 6 questions | ·Arrays and lists, 2016: 0 questions | 2Arrays and lists, 2017: 2 questions | 6Arrays and lists, 2018: 6 questions | ·Arrays and lists, 2019: 0 questions | 4Arrays and lists, 2020: 4 questions | 4Arrays and lists, 2021: 4 questions | 3Arrays and lists, 2022: 3 questions | 11Arrays and lists, 2023: 11 questions | 6Arrays and lists, 2024: 6 questions | 8Arrays and lists, 2025: 8 questions | 3Arrays and lists, 2027: 3 questions |
3.1.1Relational databases | 7Relational databases, 2014: 7 questions | 2Relational databases, 2015: 2 questions | 9Relational databases, 2016: 9 questions | 6Relational databases, 2017: 6 questions | 3Relational databases, 2018: 3 questions | 6Relational databases, 2019: 6 questions | ·Relational databases, 2020: 0 questions | ·Relational databases, 2021: 0 questions | ·Relational databases, 2022: 0 questions | 5Relational databases, 2023: 5 questions | 6Relational databases, 2024: 6 questions | 14Relational databases, 2025: 14 questions | 2Relational databases, 2027: 2 questions |
7.1.4Classes and objects | 3Classes and objects, 2014: 3 questions | 4Classes and objects, 2015: 4 questions | 3Classes and objects, 2016: 3 questions | 7Classes and objects, 2017: 7 questions | 4Classes and objects, 2018: 4 questions | 2Classes and objects, 2019: 2 questions | 1Classes and objects, 2020: 1 question | ·Classes and objects, 2021: 0 questions | ·Classes and objects, 2022: 0 questions | 3Classes and objects, 2023: 3 questions | 8Classes and objects, 2024: 8 questions | 6Classes and objects, 2025: 6 questions | 3Classes and objects, 2027: 3 questions |
1.2.1Binary and hex | 1Binary and hex, 2014: 1 question | ·Binary and hex, 2015: 0 questions | 1Binary and hex, 2016: 1 question | ·Binary and hex, 2017: 0 questions | 1Binary and hex, 2018: 1 question | 2Binary and hex, 2019: 2 questions | ·Binary and hex, 2020: 0 questions | 2Binary and hex, 2021: 2 questions | 3Binary and hex, 2022: 3 questions | ·Binary and hex, 2023: 0 questions | 4Binary and hex, 2024: 4 questions | 4Binary and hex, 2025: 4 questions | 1Binary and hex, 2027: 1 question |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueUpdating data with SQL· last May 24 P2
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Every Computer Science SL exam session
Every session and paper we have classified. Open a paper for its full analysis.
Specimen 2027
2 papers
May 2025
4 papers
November 2024
2 papers
May 2024
3 papers
November 2023
2 papers
May 2023
3 papers
November 2022
1 paper
May 2022
1 paper
November 2021
1 paper
May 2021
1 paper
November 2020
2 papers
November 2019
2 papers
May 2019
2 papers
November 2018
2 papers
May 2018
2 papers
November 2017
2 papers
May 2017
2 papers
November 2016
2 papers
May 2016
2 papers
November 2015
2 papers
May 2015
2 papers
November 2014
2 papers
May 2014
2 papers
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Computer Science SL exam sessions are covered?
23 exam sessions from 2014 to 2027, the latest Specimen 2027. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 46 papers in this archive.
Which IB Computer Science SL topic comes up most?
Arrays and lists (6.2.2): in 61% of papers, last seen Spec 27 P2. Usually "write down / state", worth about 5.2 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.
What is free and what needs Pro?
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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Every question, by paper
What each Computer Science SL paper tests across all its sittings: the marks by unit and the micro-topics it keeps coming back to.
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