IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen
Unit 6: Programming
188 past paper questions from 41 papers across 22 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
SL archive · 2014 to 2027
Unit 6: Programming
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
- questions
- 188
- questions
- papers
- 41
- papers
- exam sessions
- 22
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 10
Topics in Unit 6: Programming
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
6.1
Programming fundamentals
16% of marks67 of the 409 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (16%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 33 questions
- FadingVariables and data types
6.2
Data structures
37% of marks150 of the 409 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (37%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 77 questions
6.3
Programming constructs
34% of marks139 of the 409 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (34%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 58 questions
- RisingLoops
- FadingFunctions and modularity
6.4
Programming algorithms
7% of marks30 of the 409 marks across the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (7%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 12 questions
- DueBubble and selection sort
6.5
File processing
6% of marks23 of the 409 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. · 8 questions
- RisingFile processing
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.2.2Arrays and lists | 22Arrays and lists, 2014: 22 questions | 6Arrays and lists, 2015: 6 questions | ·Arrays and lists, 2016: 0 questions | 2Arrays and lists, 2017: 2 questions | 6Arrays and lists, 2018: 6 questions | ·Arrays and lists, 2019: 0 questions | 4Arrays and lists, 2020: 4 questions | 4Arrays and lists, 2021: 4 questions | 3Arrays and lists, 2022: 3 questions | 11Arrays and lists, 2023: 11 questions | 6Arrays and lists, 2024: 6 questions | 8Arrays and lists, 2025: 8 questions | 3Arrays and lists, 2027: 3 questions |
| ·File processing, 2014: 0 questions | 2File processing, 2015: 2 questions | ·File processing, 2016: 0 questions | 3File processing, 2017: 3 questions | 1File processing, 2018: 1 question | ·File processing, 2019: 0 questions | ·File processing, 2020: 0 questions | ·File processing, 2021: 0 questions | ·File processing, 2022: 0 questions | 1File processing, 2023: 1 question | ·File processing, 2024: 0 questions | ·File processing, 2025: 0 questions | 1File processing, 2027: 1 question | |
| ·Loops, 2014: 0 questions | ·Loops, 2015: 0 questions | ·Loops, 2016: 0 questions | 2Loops, 2017: 2 questions | ·Loops, 2018: 0 questions | ·Loops, 2019: 0 questions | ·Loops, 2020: 0 questions | 1Loops, 2021: 1 question | ·Loops, 2022: 0 questions | ·Loops, 2023: 0 questions | ·Loops, 2024: 0 questions | ·Loops, 2025: 0 questions | 2Loops, 2027: 2 questions | |
6.2.3Stacks (LIFO) | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2014: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2015: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2016: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2017: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2018: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2019: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2020: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2021: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2022: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2023: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2024: 0 questions | ·Stacks (LIFO), 2025: 0 questions | 2Stacks (LIFO), 2027: 2 questions |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueBubble and selection sort· 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 6: Programming, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 6: Programming, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Specimen 2027
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2025
6 questions across 4 papers
November 2024
5 questions across 2 papers
May 2024
10 questions across 3 papers
November 2023
5 questions across 2 papers
May 2023
12 questions across 3 papers
November 2022
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2022
2 questions across 1 paper
November 2021
3 questions across 1 paper
May 2021
4 questions across 1 paper
November 2020
7 questions across 2 papers
November 2019
1 question across 1 paper
May 2019
2 questions across 2 papers
November 2018
3 questions across 2 papers
May 2018
4 questions across 2 papers
November 2017
5 questions across 2 papers
May 2017
3 questions across 2 papers
November 2016
1 question across 1 paper
November 2015
4 questions across 2 papers
May 2015
3 questions across 2 papers
November 2014
5 questions across 2 papers
May 2014
4 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 Unit 6: Programming?
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 41 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 6: Programming topic comes up most?
Arrays and lists (6.2.2): in 61% of papers, last seen Spec 27 P2. Usually "write down / state", worth about 5.2 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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