What is IB moderation?

Moderation is the process by which the IB checks that teacher marking of Internal Assessments (IAs) matches global standards. It ensures fairness across schools and countries.

How it works

1. Teachers mark all student IAs using IB criteria
2. Schools submit all marks plus a sample of work to the IB
3. IB examiners re-mark the sample against IB standards
4. Comparison: Teacher marks vs examiner marks
5. Adjustment: If there is a systematic difference, a moderation factor is applied
6. All students in that subject/class may have marks adjusted (up or down)

Key points

• Moderation is applied to whole classes, not individual students
• If your teacher marks too high, all marks in that subject/class may go down
• If your teacher marks too low, all marks may go up
• The aim is consistency—the same work should get the same mark globally

Why it matters

• Fairness: A grade 6 in one school should mean the same as a grade 6 in another
• University trust: Institutions rely on IB grades being comparable
• Teacher development: Schools receive feedback on their marking

What students can do

• Follow criteria—marks are based on the rubric, not effort
• Use feedback—teachers know what examiners look for
• Submit best work—moderation samples are chosen by the IB; quality matters for all

Common questions

Can I appeal my moderated mark? Enquiry upon results (EAR) is available in some cases; there may be a fee. Check with your school.

Does moderation affect external assessment? No. Exams and some coursework (e.g. EE) are marked by IB examiners directly.

How Tutopiya helps

Tutopiya tutors help students meet IA criteria so work aligns with IB standards. Explore IB resources or book a free trial.

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Source: IB Assessment

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