IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen
Unit 1: Computer fundamentals
98 past paper questions from 27 papers across 23 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
SL archive · 2014 to 2027
Unit 1: Computer fundamentals
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
- questions
- 98
- questions
- papers
- 27
- papers
- exam sessions
- 23
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 12
Topics in Unit 1: Computer fundamentals
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
1.1
Hardware and operation
58% of marks108 of the 186 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (58%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 57 questions
- DueCompression
- RisingPrimary memory
1.2
Data representation and logic
26% of marks49 of the 186 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (26%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 29 questions
- RisingTruth tables
1.3
Operating and control systems
16% of marks29 of the 186 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (16%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 12 questions
- DueFunctions of the OS
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 12 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 | |
| ·Truth tables, 2014: 0 questions | ·Truth tables, 2015: 0 questions | ·Truth tables, 2016: 0 questions | 3Truth tables, 2017: 3 questions | ·Truth tables, 2018: 0 questions | ·Truth tables, 2019: 0 questions | ·Truth tables, 2020: 0 questions | ·Truth tables, 2021: 0 questions | ·Truth tables, 2022: 0 questions | 1Truth tables, 2023: 1 question | ·Truth tables, 2024: 0 questions | ·Truth tables, 2025: 0 questions | 1Truth tables, 2027: 1 question |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueFunctions of the OS· last May 24 P1 TZ2
- 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 Unit 1: Computer fundamentals, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 1: Computer fundamentals, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Specimen 2027
1 question across 1 paper
May 2025
2 questions across 2 papers
November 2024
1 question across 1 paper
May 2024
8 questions across 2 papers
November 2023
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2023
6 questions across 2 papers
November 2022
1 question across 1 paper
May 2022
4 questions across 1 paper
November 2021
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2021
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2020
1 question across 1 paper
November 2019
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2019
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2018
1 question across 1 paper
May 2018
3 questions across 1 paper
November 2017
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2017
3 questions across 1 paper
November 2016
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2016
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2015
1 question across 1 paper
May 2015
1 question across 1 paper
November 2014
3 questions across 2 papers
May 2014
2 questions across 1 paper
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Computer Science SL exam sessions are covered for Unit 1: Computer fundamentals?
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 27 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 1: Computer fundamentals 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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