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

6.2 Data structures

77 past paper questions from 28 papers across 17 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.

SL archive · 2014 to 2027

6.2 Data structures

Latest exam session: Specimen 2027

questions
77
questions
papers
28
papers
exam sessions
17
exam sessions
micro-topics
2

Micro-topics in 6.2 Data structures

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

  • 61

    6.2.2

    Arrays and lists

    75 questions · in 61% of papersAppears in 28 of the 46 Computer Science SL papers analysed (61%), at least once each.

    Frequently tested

    last Spec 27 P2

  • 2

    6.2.3

    Stacks (LIFO)

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

    Less common

    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
6.2.2Arrays and listsFrequently tested
22Arrays and lists, 2014: 22 questions6Arrays and lists, 2015: 6 questions·Arrays and lists, 2016: 0 questions2Arrays and lists, 2017: 2 questions6Arrays and lists, 2018: 6 questions·Arrays and lists, 2019: 0 questions4Arrays and lists, 2020: 4 questions4Arrays and lists, 2021: 4 questions3Arrays and lists, 2022: 3 questions11Arrays and lists, 2023: 11 questions6Arrays and lists, 2024: 6 questions8Arrays and lists, 2025: 8 questions3Arrays and lists, 2027: 3 questions
6.2.3Stacks (LIFO)Less common
·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 questions2Stacks (LIFO), 2027: 2 questions
  • Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years
  • Less commonin fewer than one paper in fifteen

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Questions on 6.2 Data structures, by exam session

Which papers asked about 6.2 Data structures, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Computer Science SL exam sessions are covered for 6.2 Data structures?

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 28 papers in this archive.

Which 6.2 Data structures 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.

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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