IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen

2.1 Network fundamentals

59 past paper questions from 21 papers across 19 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.

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SL archive · 2014 to 2025

2.1 Network fundamentals

Latest exam session: May 2025

questions
59
questions
papers
21
papers
exam sessions
19
exam sessions
micro-topics
4

Micro-topics in 2.1 Network fundamentals

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.

  • 39

    2.1.1

    What networks are for

    44 questions · in 39% of papersAppears in 18 of the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (39%), at least once each.

    Fading

    last May 25 P1 TZ3

  • 4

    2.1.2

    Digital infrastructures

    4 questions · in 4% of papersAppears in 2 of the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (4%), at least once each.

    Less common

    last May 25 P1 TZ3

  • 2

    2.1.3

    Network devices

    2 questions · in 2% of papersAppears in 1 of the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (2%), at least once each.

    Less common

    last Nov 19 P1

  • 17

    2.1.4

    Network protocols

    9 questions · in 17% of papersAppears in 8 of the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (17%), at least once each.

    Fading

    last May 25 P1 TZ3

Exam pattern

How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.

Does it repeat?

Questions per year for each micro-topic.

fewermore

Micro-topic2014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252027
2.1.1What networks are forFading · last May 25 P1 TZ3
1What networks are for, 2014: 1 question7What networks are for, 2015: 7 questions3What networks are for, 2016: 3 questions3What networks are for, 2017: 3 questions5What networks are for, 2018: 5 questions·What networks are for, 2019: 0 questions1What networks are for, 2020: 1 question4What networks are for, 2021: 4 questions5What networks are for, 2022: 5 questions11What networks are for, 2023: 11 questions·What networks are for, 2024: 0 questions4What networks are for, 2025: 4 questions·What networks are for, 2027: 0 questions
2.1.4Network protocolsFading · last May 25 P1 TZ3
2Network protocols, 2014: 2 questions·Network protocols, 2015: 0 questions1Network protocols, 2016: 1 question·Network protocols, 2017: 0 questions1Network protocols, 2018: 1 question2Network protocols, 2019: 2 questions·Network protocols, 2020: 0 questions·Network protocols, 2021: 0 questions·Network protocols, 2022: 0 questions·Network protocols, 2023: 0 questions1Network protocols, 2024: 1 question2Network protocols, 2025: 2 questions·Network protocols, 2027: 0 questions
2.1.2Digital infrastructuresLess common
·Digital infrastructures, 2014: 0 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2015: 0 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2016: 0 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2017: 0 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2018: 0 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2019: 0 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2020: 0 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2021: 0 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2022: 0 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2023: 0 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2024: 0 questions4Digital infrastructures, 2025: 4 questions·Digital infrastructures, 2027: 0 questions
2.1.3Network devicesLess common
·Network devices, 2014: 0 questions·Network devices, 2015: 0 questions·Network devices, 2016: 0 questions·Network devices, 2017: 0 questions·Network devices, 2018: 0 questions2Network devices, 2019: 2 questions·Network devices, 2020: 0 questions·Network devices, 2021: 0 questions·Network devices, 2022: 0 questions·Network devices, 2023: 0 questions·Network devices, 2024: 0 questions·Network devices, 2025: 0 questions·Network devices, 2027: 0 questions
  • Fadingused to appear, but not seen for two years or more
  • Less commonin fewer than one paper in fifteen

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Questions on 2.1 Network fundamentals, by exam session

Which papers asked about 2.1 Network fundamentals, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

  • May 2025

    8 questions across 2 papers

  • November 2024

    1 question across 1 paper

  • November 2023

    1 question across 1 paper

  • May 2023

    2 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

    1 question across 1 paper

  • November 2020

    1 question across 1 paper

  • November 2019

    1 question across 1 paper

  • May 2019

    1 question across 1 paper

  • November 2018

    1 question across 1 paper

  • May 2018

    2 questions across 1 paper

  • November 2017

    1 question across 1 paper

  • November 2016

    2 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

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Computer Science SL exam sessions are covered for 2.1 Network fundamentals?

23 exam sessions from 2014 to 2025, the latest May 2025. Every Paper 1 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 21 papers in this archive.

Which 2.1 Network fundamentals topic comes up most?

What networks are for (2.1.1): in 39% of papers, last seen May 25 P1 TZ3. Usually "explain / justify", worth about 6.6 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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