IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen
Computer Science SL Paper 1
358 past paper questions from 29 papers across 24 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
Starter set across the most-tested skills, with AI marking and model answers.
By paper:Paper 1Paper 2All papers
SL archive · 2014 to 2027
Paper 1
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
- questions
- questions
- papers
- papers
- exam sessions
- exam sessions
Where Paper 1 marks go, by unit
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
Unit 1
Computer fundamentals
33% of marks · 130 questions
- RisingFunctions of the OS
- RisingFetch–decode–execute
Unit 2
Networks
30% of marks · 102 questions
- DuePacket switching
- DueNetwork protocols
Unit 3
Databases
1% of marks · 4 questions
Unit 4
Machine learning
3% of marks · 10 questions
- DueEthics of everyday tech
Unit 5
Computational thinking
7% of marks · 21 questions
- RisingTracing flowcharts
Unit 6
Programming
25% of marks · 91 questions
- DueLinear and binary search
- DueBubble and selection sort
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 40 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 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.3.2Transmission media | 1Transmission media, 2014: 1 question | 1Transmission media, 2015: 1 question | 2Transmission media, 2016: 2 questions | 1Transmission media, 2017: 1 question | 1Transmission media, 2018: 1 question | 1Transmission media, 2019: 1 question | ·Transmission media, 2020: 0 questions | 2Transmission media, 2021: 2 questions | 2Transmission media, 2022: 2 questions | 3Transmission media, 2023: 3 questions | 5Transmission media, 2024: 5 questions | ·Transmission media, 2025: 0 questions | 3Transmission media, 2026: 3 questions | 1Transmission media, 2027: 1 question |
1.1.1CPU components | 2CPU components, 2014: 2 questions | 5CPU components, 2015: 5 questions | 1CPU components, 2016: 1 question | 1CPU components, 2017: 1 question | 1CPU components, 2018: 1 question | 1CPU components, 2019: 1 question | 2CPU components, 2020: 2 questions | ·CPU components, 2021: 0 questions | ·CPU components, 2022: 0 questions | 1CPU components, 2023: 1 question | 7CPU components, 2024: 7 questions | ·CPU components, 2025: 0 questions | 3CPU components, 2026: 3 questions | 2CPU components, 2027: 2 questions |
1.1.4Primary memory | 1Primary memory, 2014: 1 question | ·Primary memory, 2015: 0 questions | 2Primary memory, 2016: 2 questions | 1Primary memory, 2017: 1 question | 1Primary memory, 2018: 1 question | 2Primary memory, 2019: 2 questions | ·Primary memory, 2020: 0 questions | ·Primary memory, 2021: 0 questions | 1Primary memory, 2022: 1 question | 4Primary memory, 2023: 4 questions | 2Primary memory, 2024: 2 questions | ·Primary memory, 2025: 0 questions | 3Primary memory, 2026: 3 questions | 1Primary memory, 2027: 1 question |
1.2.4Truth tables | 2Truth tables, 2014: 2 questions | ·Truth tables, 2015: 0 questions | ·Truth tables, 2016: 0 questions | 3Truth tables, 2017: 3 questions | 1Truth tables, 2018: 1 question | ·Truth tables, 2019: 0 questions | ·Truth tables, 2020: 0 questions | ·Truth tables, 2021: 0 questions | 1Truth tables, 2022: 1 question | 1Truth tables, 2023: 1 question | 3Truth tables, 2024: 3 questions | ·Truth tables, 2025: 0 questions | 3Truth tables, 2026: 3 questions | 1Truth tables, 2027: 1 question |
11 more micro-topics with a free account
- DuePacket switching· last Nov 24 P1
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Every micro-topic in the heatmap and the complete watch list, free with an account.
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Past paper generator
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Questions on Paper 1, by exam session
Which papers asked about Paper 1, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Specimen 2027
1 paper
May 2026
3 papers
May 2025
2 papers
November 2024
1 paper
May 2024
2 papers
November 2023
1 paper
May 2023
2 papers
November 2022
1 paper
May 2022
1 paper
November 2021
1 paper
May 2021
1 paper
November 2020
1 paper
November 2019
1 paper
May 2019
1 paper
November 2018
1 paper
May 2018
1 paper
November 2017
1 paper
May 2017
1 paper
November 2016
1 paper
May 2016
1 paper
November 2015
1 paper
May 2015
1 paper
November 2014
1 paper
May 2014
1 paper
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Computer Science SL exam sessions are covered for Paper 1?
24 exam sessions from 2014 to 2027, the latest Specimen 2027. Every Paper 1 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 29 papers in this archive.
Which Paper 1 topic comes up most?
Transmission media (2.3.2): in 37% of papers, last seen May 26 P1 TZ3. Usually "Identify", worth about 3.3 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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More Computer Science SL exam preparation
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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All IB past papers
Every subject we have classified by topic, with the same exam-pattern analysis.
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