IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen
6.4 Programming algorithms
24 past paper questions from 16 papers across 12 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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SL archive · 2015 to 2027
6.4 Programming algorithms
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
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Micro-topics in 6.4 Programming algorithms
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.
- Less common
last Spec 27 P2
- Due
last Nov 23 P1
- Due
last May 24 P1 TZ2
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-topic | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ·Linear and binary search, 2014: 0 questions | 1Linear and binary search, 2015: 1 question | ·Linear and binary search, 2016: 0 questions | 2Linear and binary search, 2017: 2 questions | 2Linear and binary search, 2018: 2 questions | ·Linear and binary search, 2019: 0 questions | 2Linear and binary search, 2020: 2 questions | 1Linear and binary search, 2021: 1 question | ·Linear and binary search, 2022: 0 questions | 5Linear and binary search, 2023: 5 questions | ·Linear and binary search, 2024: 0 questions | ·Linear and binary search, 2025: 0 questions | ·Linear and binary search, 2026: 0 questions | ·Linear and binary search, 2027: 0 questions | |
| ·Bubble and selection sort, 2014: 0 questions | 1Bubble and selection sort, 2015: 1 question | ·Bubble and selection sort, 2016: 0 questions | 1Bubble and selection sort, 2017: 1 question | ·Bubble and selection sort, 2018: 0 questions | 3Bubble and selection sort, 2019: 3 questions | 1Bubble and selection sort, 2020: 1 question | 2Bubble and selection sort, 2021: 2 questions | ·Bubble and selection sort, 2022: 0 questions | ·Bubble and selection sort, 2023: 0 questions | 2Bubble and selection sort, 2024: 2 questions | ·Bubble and selection sort, 2025: 0 questions | ·Bubble and selection sort, 2026: 0 questions | ·Bubble and selection sort, 2027: 0 questions | |
| ·Big O notation, 2014: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2015: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2016: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2017: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2018: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2019: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2020: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2021: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2022: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2023: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2024: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2025: 0 questions | ·Big O notation, 2026: 0 questions | 1Big O notation, 2027: 1 question |
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
- Less commonin fewer than one paper in fifteen
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Questions on 6.4 Programming algorithms, by exam session
Which papers asked about 6.4 Programming algorithms, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
Specimen 2027
1 question across 1 paper
May 2024
2 questions across 2 papers
November 2023
1 question across 1 paper
May 2023
2 questions across 2 papers
November 2021
1 question across 1 paper
May 2021
1 question across 1 paper
November 2020
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2019
2 questions across 2 papers
November 2018
2 questions across 2 papers
November 2017
1 question across 1 paper
May 2017
2 questions across 1 paper
May 2015
2 questions across 1 paper
Every 6.4 Programming algorithms question, unlocked
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Computer Science SL exam sessions are covered for 6.4 Programming algorithms?
24 exam sessions from 2015 to 2027, the latest Specimen 2027. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 16 papers in this archive.
Which 6.4 Programming algorithms topic comes up most?
Linear and binary search (6.4.2): in 19% of papers, last seen Nov 23 P1. Usually "Construct", worth about 4.8 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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