IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen
Unit 2: Networks
103 past paper questions from 29 papers across 23 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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SL archive · 2014 to 2027
Unit 2: Networks
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
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Topics in Unit 2: Networks
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
2.1
Network fundamentals
35% of marks · 39 questions
- DueNetwork protocols
2.2
Network architecture
10% of marks · 11 questions
- RisingNetworking models
2.3
Data transmissions
38% of marks · 35 questions
- DuePacket switching
2.4
Network security
17% of marks · 18 questions
- RisingEncryption and certificates
- FadingFirewalls
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 9 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 |
| 4What networks are for, 2014: 4 questions | 1What networks are for, 2015: 1 question | 3What networks are for, 2016: 3 questions | ·What networks are for, 2017: 0 questions | 1What networks are for, 2018: 1 question | 3What networks are for, 2019: 3 questions | ·What networks are for, 2020: 0 questions | 3What networks are for, 2021: 3 questions | 2What networks are for, 2022: 2 questions | 3What networks are for, 2023: 3 questions | ·What networks are for, 2024: 0 questions | 2What networks are for, 2025: 2 questions | 3What networks are for, 2026: 3 questions | ·What networks are for, 2027: 0 questions | |
| 1Networking models, 2014: 1 question | 2Networking models, 2015: 2 questions | ·Networking models, 2016: 0 questions | ·Networking models, 2017: 0 questions | 1Networking models, 2018: 1 question | ·Networking models, 2019: 0 questions | 1Networking models, 2020: 1 question | ·Networking models, 2021: 0 questions | ·Networking models, 2022: 0 questions | 2Networking models, 2023: 2 questions | ·Networking models, 2024: 0 questions | ·Networking models, 2025: 0 questions | 3Networking models, 2026: 3 questions | ·Networking models, 2027: 0 questions | |
| ·Encryption and certificates, 2014: 0 questions | ·Encryption and certificates, 2015: 0 questions | ·Encryption and certificates, 2016: 0 questions | ·Encryption and certificates, 2017: 0 questions | ·Encryption and certificates, 2018: 0 questions | 2Encryption and certificates, 2019: 2 questions | ·Encryption and certificates, 2020: 0 questions | ·Encryption and certificates, 2021: 0 questions | ·Encryption and certificates, 2022: 0 questions | 2Encryption and certificates, 2023: 2 questions | 2Encryption and certificates, 2024: 2 questions | ·Encryption and certificates, 2025: 0 questions | 3Encryption and certificates, 2026: 3 questions | ·Encryption and certificates, 2027: 0 questions |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DuePacket switching· 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 Unit 2: Networks, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 2: Networks, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Specimen 2027
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2026
9 questions across 3 papers
May 2025
2 questions across 2 papers
November 2024
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2024
2 questions across 2 papers
November 2023
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2023
4 questions across 2 papers
November 2022
1 question across 1 paper
May 2022
1 question across 1 paper
November 2021
1 question across 1 paper
May 2021
3 questions across 1 paper
November 2020
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2019
1 question across 1 paper
May 2019
3 questions across 1 paper
November 2018
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2018
4 questions across 2 papers
November 2017
1 question across 1 paper
November 2016
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2016
1 question across 1 paper
November 2015
1 question across 1 paper
May 2015
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2014
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2014
4 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 2: Networks?
24 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 29 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 2: Networks 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.
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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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