IB Computer Science SL · 2014 to 2025, and the 2027 specimen
IB Computer Science SL past papers
697 past paper questions from 52 papers across 24 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
Starter set across the most-tested skills, with AI marking and model answers.
SL archive · 2014 to 2027
IB Computer Science SL past papers
Latest exam session: Specimen 2027
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Units in Computer Science SL
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
Unit 1
Computer fundamentals
18% of marks · 135 questions
- RisingFunctions of the OS
- RisingStoring data in binary
Unit 2
Networks
16% of marks · 103 questions
- DuePacket switching
- DueNetwork protocols
Unit 3
Databases
23% of marks · 158 questions
- RisingDatabase schemas
- RisingNormalising to 3NF
Unit 4
Machine learning
2% of marks · 12 questions
- DueEthics of everyday tech
Unit 5
Computational thinking
4% of marks · 23 questions
- RisingTracing flowcharts
Unit 6
Programming
19% of marks · 141 questions
- DueLinear and binary search
- DueBubble and selection sort
Unit 7
Object-oriented programming
18% of marks · 125 questions
Papers in Computer Science SL
Each paper across every sitting. The ring is the share of the marks it carries.
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 55 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 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.2.2Arrays and lists | 9Arrays and lists, 2014: 9 questions | 5Arrays and lists, 2015: 5 questions | 1Arrays and lists, 2016: 1 question | 2Arrays and lists, 2017: 2 questions | 6Arrays and lists, 2018: 6 questions | 2Arrays and lists, 2019: 2 questions | ·Arrays and lists, 2020: 0 questions | 2Arrays and lists, 2021: 2 questions | ·Arrays and lists, 2022: 0 questions | 11Arrays and lists, 2023: 11 questions | 4Arrays and lists, 2024: 4 questions | 8Arrays and lists, 2025: 8 questions | 12Arrays and lists, 2026: 12 questions | 3Arrays and lists, 2027: 3 questions |
3.1.1Relational databases | 10Relational databases, 2014: 10 questions | 2Relational databases, 2015: 2 questions | 4Relational databases, 2016: 4 questions | 7Relational databases, 2017: 7 questions | 1Relational databases, 2018: 1 question | 5Relational databases, 2019: 5 questions | 3Relational databases, 2020: 3 questions | ·Relational databases, 2021: 0 questions | ·Relational databases, 2022: 0 questions | 4Relational databases, 2023: 4 questions | 3Relational databases, 2024: 3 questions | 2Relational databases, 2025: 2 questions | 6Relational databases, 2026: 6 questions | 2Relational databases, 2027: 2 questions |
| ·Storing data in binary, 2014: 0 questions | ·Storing data in binary, 2015: 0 questions | ·Storing data in binary, 2016: 0 questions | ·Storing data in binary, 2017: 0 questions | 1Storing data in binary, 2018: 1 question | 1Storing data in binary, 2019: 1 question | ·Storing data in binary, 2020: 0 questions | ·Storing data in binary, 2021: 0 questions | ·Storing data in binary, 2022: 0 questions | 3Storing data in binary, 2023: 3 questions | ·Storing data in binary, 2024: 0 questions | 1Storing data in binary, 2025: 1 question | 5Storing data in binary, 2026: 5 questions | ·Storing data in binary, 2027: 0 questions | |
7.1.4Classes and objects | 3Classes and objects, 2014: 3 questions | 1Classes and objects, 2015: 1 question | 3Classes and objects, 2016: 3 questions | 6Classes and objects, 2017: 6 questions | 2Classes and objects, 2018: 2 questions | 1Classes and objects, 2019: 1 question | 2Classes and objects, 2020: 2 questions | ·Classes and objects, 2021: 0 questions | ·Classes and objects, 2022: 0 questions | 3Classes and objects, 2023: 3 questions | 2Classes and objects, 2024: 2 questions | 2Classes and objects, 2025: 2 questions | 15Classes and objects, 2026: 15 questions | 3Classes and objects, 2027: 3 questions |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DuePacket switching· last Nov 24 P1
- Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Every Computer Science SL exam session
Every session and paper we have classified. Open a paper for its full analysis.
Specimen 2027
2 papers
May 2026
6 papers
May 2025
4 papers
November 2024
2 papers
May 2024
3 papers
November 2023
2 papers
May 2023
3 papers
November 2022
1 paper
May 2022
1 paper
November 2021
1 paper
May 2021
1 paper
November 2020
2 papers
November 2019
2 papers
May 2019
2 papers
November 2018
2 papers
May 2018
2 papers
November 2017
2 papers
May 2017
2 papers
November 2016
2 papers
May 2016
2 papers
November 2015
2 papers
May 2015
2 papers
November 2014
2 papers
May 2014
2 papers
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Computer Science SL exam sessions are covered?
24 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 52 papers in this archive.
Which IB Computer Science SL topic comes up most?
Arrays and lists (6.2.2): in 54% of papers, last seen May 26 P1 TZ3. Usually "State", worth about 5.1 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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Every question, by paper
What each Computer Science SL paper tests across all its sittings: the marks by unit and the micro-topics it keeps coming back to.
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Every subject we have classified by topic, with the same exam-pattern analysis.
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