IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen
Unit 2: Networks
94 past paper questions from 26 papers across 23 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
SL archive · 2014 to 2027
Unit 2: Networks
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
- questions
- 94
- questions
- papers
- 26
- papers
- exam sessions
- 23
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 10
Topics in Unit 2: Networks
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
2.1
Network fundamentals
62% of marks160 of the 260 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (62%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 59 questions
- FadingWhat networks are for
- FadingNetwork protocols
2.2
Network architecture
6% of marks16 of the 260 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (6%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 7 questions
- DueNetworking models
2.3
Data transmissions
26% of marks68 of the 260 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. · 23 questions
- RisingPacket switching
- RisingTransmission media
2.4
Network security
6% of marks16 of the 260 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (6%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 5 questions
- RisingFirewalls
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 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| ·Transmission media, 2014: 0 questions | ·Transmission media, 2015: 0 questions | 1Transmission media, 2016: 1 question | ·Transmission media, 2017: 0 questions | ·Transmission media, 2018: 0 questions | ·Transmission media, 2019: 0 questions | ·Transmission media, 2020: 0 questions | 2Transmission media, 2021: 2 questions | ·Transmission media, 2022: 0 questions | ·Transmission media, 2023: 0 questions | 8Transmission media, 2024: 8 questions | ·Transmission media, 2025: 0 questions | 1Transmission media, 2027: 1 question | |
| ·Firewalls, 2014: 0 questions | ·Firewalls, 2015: 0 questions | ·Firewalls, 2016: 0 questions | ·Firewalls, 2017: 0 questions | ·Firewalls, 2018: 0 questions | ·Firewalls, 2019: 0 questions | ·Firewalls, 2020: 0 questions | ·Firewalls, 2021: 0 questions | ·Firewalls, 2022: 0 questions | ·Firewalls, 2023: 0 questions | 1Firewalls, 2024: 1 question | ·Firewalls, 2025: 0 questions | 3Firewalls, 2027: 3 questions | |
2.2.4Network segmentation | ·Network segmentation, 2014: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2015: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2016: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2017: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2018: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2019: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2020: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2021: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2022: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2023: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2024: 0 questions | ·Network segmentation, 2025: 0 questions | 1Network segmentation, 2027: 1 question |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueNetworking models· 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 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 2025
8 questions across 2 papers
November 2024
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2024
4 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
1 question across 1 paper
November 2019
1 question across 1 paper
May 2019
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2018
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2018
3 questions across 1 paper
November 2017
1 question across 1 paper
May 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
3 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?
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 Unit 2: Networks topic comes up most?
Packet switching (2.3.3): in 20% of papers, last seen Spec 27 P1. Usually "explain / justify", worth about 3.7 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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