IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen
Unit 3: Databases
159 past paper questions from 21 papers across 19 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
SL archive · 2014 to 2027
Unit 3: Databases
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
- questions
- 159
- questions
- papers
- 21
- papers
- exam sessions
- 19
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 10
Topics in Unit 3: Databases
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
3.1
Database fundamentals
29% of marks111 of the 377 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (29%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 60 questions
3.2
Database design
56% of marks212 of the 377 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (56%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 76 questions
- FadingNormal forms
- FadingDatabase schemas
3.3
Database programming
14% of marks54 of the 377 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (14%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 23 questions
- DueUpdating data with SQL
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.1.1Relational databases | 7Relational databases, 2014: 7 questions | 2Relational databases, 2015: 2 questions | 9Relational databases, 2016: 9 questions | 6Relational databases, 2017: 6 questions | 3Relational databases, 2018: 3 questions | 6Relational databases, 2019: 6 questions | ·Relational databases, 2020: 0 questions | ·Relational databases, 2021: 0 questions | ·Relational databases, 2022: 0 questions | 5Relational databases, 2023: 5 questions | 6Relational databases, 2024: 6 questions | 14Relational databases, 2025: 14 questions | 2Relational databases, 2027: 2 questions |
3.3.2Joining two tables | ·Joining two tables, 2014: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2015: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2016: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2017: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2018: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2019: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2020: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2021: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2022: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2023: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2024: 0 questions | ·Joining two tables, 2025: 0 questions | 1Joining two tables, 2027: 1 question |
3.2.6Normalising to 3NF | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2014: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2015: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2016: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2017: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2018: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2019: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2020: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2021: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2022: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2023: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2024: 0 questions | ·Normalising to 3NF, 2025: 0 questions | 1Normalising to 3NF, 2027: 1 question |
| 6Updating data with SQL, 2014: 6 questions | 4Updating data with SQL, 2015: 4 questions | 1Updating data with SQL, 2016: 1 question | 3Updating data with SQL, 2017: 3 questions | ·Updating data with SQL, 2018: 0 questions | 1Updating data with SQL, 2019: 1 question | 3Updating data with SQL, 2020: 3 questions | ·Updating data with SQL, 2021: 0 questions | ·Updating data with SQL, 2022: 0 questions | 2Updating data with SQL, 2023: 2 questions | 1Updating data with SQL, 2024: 1 question | ·Updating data with SQL, 2025: 0 questions | ·Updating data with SQL, 2027: 0 questions |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- FadingNormal forms· last May 25 P2 TZ3
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
- Fadingused to appear, but not seen for two years or more
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Questions on Unit 3: Databases, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 3: Databases, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Specimen 2027
1 question across 1 paper
May 2025
7 questions across 2 papers
November 2024
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2024
3 questions across 1 paper
November 2023
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2023
3 questions across 1 paper
November 2020
3 questions across 1 paper
November 2019
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2019
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2018
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2018
1 question across 1 paper
November 2017
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2017
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2016
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2016
3 questions across 1 paper
November 2015
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2015
3 questions across 1 paper
November 2014
4 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 3: Databases?
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 21 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 3: Databases topic comes up most?
Relational databases (3.1.1): in 37% of papers, last seen Spec 27 P1. Usually "outline", worth about 6.5 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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