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

5.1 Computational thinking

37 past paper questions from 15 papers across 13 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.

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SL archive · 2014 to 2027

5.1 Computational thinking

Latest exam session: Specimen 2027

questions
37
questions
papers
15
papers
exam sessions
13
exam sessions
micro-topics
4

Micro-topics in 5.1 Computational thinking

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

  • 4

    5.1.1

    Problem specification

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

    Less common

    last Nov 18 P1

  • 11

    5.1.2

    Computational thinking

    5 questions · in 11% of papersAppears in 5 of the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (11%), at least once each.

    Fading

    last May 23 P1 TZ2

  • 9

    5.1.3

    Applying the concepts

    8 questions · in 9% of papersAppears in 4 of the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (9%), at least once each.

    Occasional

    last Nov 23 P1

  • 20

    5.1.4

    Tracing flowcharts

    18 questions · in 20% of papersAppears in 9 of the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (20%), at least once each.

    Rising

    last Spec 27 P2

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
5.1.4Tracing flowchartsRising · last Spec 27 P2
1Tracing flowcharts, 2014: 1 question·Tracing flowcharts, 2015: 0 questions5Tracing flowcharts, 2016: 5 questions1Tracing flowcharts, 2017: 1 question·Tracing flowcharts, 2018: 0 questions·Tracing flowcharts, 2019: 0 questions·Tracing flowcharts, 2020: 0 questions1Tracing flowcharts, 2021: 1 question·Tracing flowcharts, 2022: 0 questions6Tracing flowcharts, 2023: 6 questions2Tracing flowcharts, 2024: 2 questions·Tracing flowcharts, 2025: 0 questions2Tracing flowcharts, 2027: 2 questions
5.1.2Computational thinkingFading · last May 23 P1 TZ2
1Computational thinking, 2014: 1 question1Computational thinking, 2015: 1 question·Computational thinking, 2016: 0 questions·Computational thinking, 2017: 0 questions·Computational thinking, 2018: 0 questions1Computational thinking, 2019: 1 question·Computational thinking, 2020: 0 questions·Computational thinking, 2021: 0 questions·Computational thinking, 2022: 0 questions2Computational thinking, 2023: 2 questions·Computational thinking, 2024: 0 questions·Computational thinking, 2025: 0 questions·Computational thinking, 2027: 0 questions
5.1.3Applying the conceptsOccasional
3Applying the concepts, 2014: 3 questions1Applying the concepts, 2015: 1 question·Applying the concepts, 2016: 0 questions·Applying the concepts, 2017: 0 questions·Applying the concepts, 2018: 0 questions2Applying the concepts, 2019: 2 questions·Applying the concepts, 2020: 0 questions·Applying the concepts, 2021: 0 questions·Applying the concepts, 2022: 0 questions2Applying the concepts, 2023: 2 questions·Applying the concepts, 2024: 0 questions·Applying the concepts, 2025: 0 questions·Applying the concepts, 2027: 0 questions
5.1.1Problem specificationLess common
4Problem specification, 2014: 4 questions·Problem specification, 2015: 0 questions·Problem specification, 2016: 0 questions·Problem specification, 2017: 0 questions2Problem specification, 2018: 2 questions·Problem specification, 2019: 0 questions·Problem specification, 2020: 0 questions·Problem specification, 2021: 0 questions·Problem specification, 2022: 0 questions·Problem specification, 2023: 0 questions·Problem specification, 2024: 0 questions·Problem specification, 2025: 0 questions·Problem specification, 2027: 0 questions
  • Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
  • Fadingused to appear, but not seen for two years or more
  • Occasionalin about one paper in ten
  • Less commonin fewer than one paper in fifteen

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Questions on 5.1 Computational thinking, by exam session

Which papers asked about 5.1 Computational thinking, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

  • Specimen 2027

    1 question across 1 paper

  • November 2024

    2 questions across 1 paper

  • November 2023

    3 questions across 1 paper

  • May 2023

    4 questions across 2 papers

  • May 2021

    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 2017

    1 question across 1 paper

  • November 2016

    3 questions across 1 paper

  • May 2015

    2 questions across 1 paper

  • November 2014

    2 questions across 1 paper

  • May 2014

    2 questions across 2 papers

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Computer Science SL exam sessions are covered for 5.1 Computational thinking?

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 15 papers in this archive.

Which 5.1 Computational thinking topic comes up most?

Tracing flowcharts (5.1.4): in 20% of papers, last seen Spec 27 P2. Usually "construct", worth about 6.3 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.

What is free and what needs Pro?

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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