IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen
Computer Science SL Paper 1
341 past paper questions from 26 papers across 23 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
By paper:Paper 1Paper 2All papers
SL archive · 2014 to 2027
Paper 1
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
- questions
- 341
- questions
- papers
- 26
- papers
- exam sessions
- 23
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 38
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
23% of marks179 of the 789 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (23%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 96 questions
- DueFunctions of the OS
- RisingPrimary memory
Unit 2
Networks
33% of marks260 of the 789 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (33%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 94 questions
- DueNetworking models
- RisingPacket switching
Unit 3
Databases
2% of marks19 of the 789 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (2%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 7 questions
Unit 4
Machine learning
1% of marks4 of the 789 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. · 2 questions
Unit 5
Computational thinking
10% of marks77 of the 789 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (10%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 29 questions
- DueTracing flowcharts
- FadingComputational thinking
Unit 6
Programming
32% of marks250 of the 789 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (32%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 113 questions
- DueFunctions and modularity
- DueVariables and data types
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 38 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
1.1.1CPU components | 2CPU components, 2014: 2 questions | ·CPU components, 2015: 0 questions | 2CPU components, 2016: 2 questions | 2CPU components, 2017: 2 questions | 1CPU components, 2018: 1 question | 2CPU components, 2019: 2 questions | ·CPU components, 2020: 0 questions | ·CPU components, 2021: 0 questions | 1CPU components, 2022: 1 question | 1CPU components, 2023: 1 question | 2CPU components, 2024: 2 questions | ·CPU components, 2025: 0 questions | 2CPU components, 2027: 2 questions |
| 1Primary memory, 2014: 1 question | 8Primary memory, 2015: 8 questions | ·Primary memory, 2016: 0 questions | ·Primary memory, 2017: 0 questions | 5Primary memory, 2018: 5 questions | 5Primary memory, 2019: 5 questions | ·Primary memory, 2020: 0 questions | ·Primary memory, 2021: 0 questions | ·Primary memory, 2022: 0 questions | 4Primary memory, 2023: 4 questions | 3Primary memory, 2024: 3 questions | ·Primary memory, 2025: 0 questions | 1Primary memory, 2027: 1 question | |
| 2Packet switching, 2014: 2 questions | ·Packet switching, 2015: 0 questions | ·Packet switching, 2016: 0 questions | 1Packet switching, 2017: 1 question | 2Packet switching, 2018: 2 questions | 1Packet switching, 2019: 1 question | ·Packet switching, 2020: 0 questions | 1Packet switching, 2021: 1 question | ·Packet switching, 2022: 0 questions | 2Packet switching, 2023: 2 questions | 1Packet switching, 2024: 1 question | ·Packet switching, 2025: 0 questions | 1Packet switching, 2027: 1 question |
11 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueFunctions and modularity· last Nov 24 P1
- Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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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 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?
23 exam sessions from 2014 to 2027, the latest Specimen 2027. Every Paper 1 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 26 papers in this archive.
Which Paper 1 topic comes up most?
Binary and hex (1.2.1): in 28% of papers, last seen Spec 27 P1. Usually "write down / state", worth about 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.
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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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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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