CIT teaches IB Computer Science HL/SL theory and programming and prepares students for IGCSE Computer Science using the official curriculum for the applicable examination session. We teach the concepts, planning, development, testing and documentation skills required for assessed work, while the student remains responsible for every academic decision, line of code, analysis and submitted document.
Author: CIT Education Team | Reviewed by: CIT Curriculum Team | Checked: August 3, 2026 | Next review: when IB subject guidance, assessment procedures or school session guidance changes
Do not decide from grade level alone. Check the registered examination session and the subject guidance assigned by the school.
First assessment: May 2027
First taught in August 2025. The course covers concepts of computer science and computational thinking and problem-solving. Paper 2 answers may use Java or Python. Also confirm the computational solution and the school's internal deadlines.
Assessment before May 2027
Use the paper structure, notation and assessment requirements for that session. Do not mix in revised-course materials without checking the subject guide and internal schedule assigned by the school IB coordinator and teacher.
Source: International Baccalaureate, Computer science updates (checked August 3, 2026)
IGCSE Computer Science is a foundational course for grades 9-10 (G9-G10, UK Year 10-11). It covers computer system architecture, basic programming concepts, data representation, networking basics, and more. The exam consists of theory (Paper 1) and practical work (Paper 2, programming).
IB Computer Science scope, HL/SL structure, assessment weighting, and IA requirements are verified against the official IB curriculum and school guidance for the student's examination session. This page does not apply one percentage or assessment structure permanently across curriculum versions.
We systematically learn the core concepts aligned with the IB CS/IGCSE CS textbooks and exam scope. We prepare efficiently for the exam by analyzing past exam questions and identifying question patterns.
For the revised course first assessed in May 2027, Paper 2 answers may use Java or Python. For an earlier session, we first confirm the notation and language requirements assigned by the school, then practise within that scope.
We teach the concepts and skills needed for user-requirements analysis, design, development, testing, and documentation. The student chooses the topic and authors the code, analysis, and submitted documentation.
Choose HL or SL by considering the student's intended field, current programming readiness, other course commitments, and the current official guidance from the school and target universities. We do not claim that one level receives a universally higher admissions weight.
Check the current scope, recommended teaching hours and assessment structure in the official IB subject guidance for the student's examination session. CIT helps families consider intended field, other course commitments, school availability, current programming level and current target-university requirements without prescribing one level for every student.
The IA scope, assessment structure, and weighting are checked against the official curriculum for the student's examination session. CIT teaches the concepts and skills required for planning, development, testing, and documentation, while the student remains the author and makes every academic decision.
The revised DP Computer Science course was first taught in August 2025 and is first assessed in May 2027. Students preparing for the May 2027 assessment should check the revised course; students in an earlier examination session should follow the existing subject guidance assigned by their school. The school confirms the final course, registered session and internal deadlines.
IB Computer Science and each IGCSE Computer Science course can differ by awarding body, school and examination session. CIT first verifies the student's actual course code, session, school portal and applicable official syllabus before defining the preparation scope.
The student makes the problem, user, scope and technology decisions within the applicable IB and teacher guidance. CIT teaches requirements analysis, planning, development, testing and documentation skills and gives questions and general feedback, but does not choose the topic or author the submission.
The current HL and SL scope, recommended teaching hours and assessment structure must be checked in the official IB subject guidance for the student's examination session. Choice should reflect programming readiness, other course commitments, school availability and current target-university requirements.
For the revised course first assessed in May 2027, students can answer Paper 2 questions in Java or Python. For an earlier examination session, confirm the required notation or language and permitted assessment technologies with the school IB coordinator and the applicable subject guidance.
Timing depends on the student's prerequisites, actual course selection, teacher guidance, and internal school deadlines. We verify the current school portal or syllabus and the official curriculum for the applicable examination session, then plan examinations, the IA, and other required coursework together.
No course can guarantee a 7. We verify the assessment structure and weighting against the official curriculum for the student's examination session. CIT teaches theory, programming, and the planning, development, testing, and documentation skills needed for assessed work; students author all submitted work.
Not sure how to begin preparing for IB CS/IGCSE CS? Through a free consultation, we'll design the optimal study plan to fit your school's curriculum.
ACADEMIC → INDEPENDENT EXTENSION → VERIFIABLE EC
Protect grades and required school submissions first. Then branch into a new, student-owned question and document evidence that the applicable route permits.
Course knowledge + new question + new evidence + student ownership + verification = defensible EC
CIT helps students extend what they have learned into new work. We do not duplicate assessed submissions, write school coursework for students, or present old work as a new competition project. The student must make the decisions, create the work, and be able to explain every part.
CIT does not duplicate assessed submissions, write student coursework, or guarantee awards, international selection, or admission.