IB Physics IA Format & Structure (2025)
Everything you need to include to structure your IB Physics IA the right way
The IB Physics Internal Assessment is a 3,000-word report based on your own experiment — and how you structure it can make or break your score.
This guide walks you through the full format: what to include, how to lay it out, and how to meet examiner expectations without wasting time or words.
It’s based on the official 2025 syllabus and what we’ve seen work across thousands of IB Physics IAs.
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IB Physics IA Report Format: Quick Reference
Before discussing the IA structure in detail, here are the core formatting rules every IB Physics IA needs to follow:
Word limit: 3,000 words
(Excludes graphs, tables, equations, citations, and appendices)Submission format: Typed and exported as a PDF
Recommended Font: Arial or Times New Roman, size 11–12
Line spacing: 1.15–1.5
Citation style: Any consistent academic format (APA recommended)
Suggested IB Physics IA Structure Section Order:
Title Page
Table of Contents (optional but recommended)
Introduction
Research Question
Hypothesis (optional)
Variables
Materials & Equipment
Safety, Ethics, and Environment
Methodology
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Conclusion
Evaluation
References
Appendices (optional)
Following these basics helps keep your IA clean, readable, and within IB guidelines — all things examiners appreciate.
Detailed Section-by-Section Structure for the IB Physics IA:
Each of the following sections becomes a major section in your Physics IA.
Title Page
Your title page is the first thing the examiner sees, so keep it clean and professional.
What to include:
A clear, descriptive title that reflects your research question
Your full name and IB candidate number
The word count (excluding graphs, tables, equations, citations, and appendices)
The date or exam session (e.g. May 2025)
No need to overthink the design — just make sure everything is easy to read and aligned neatly.
Table of Contents (Optional but Recommended)
A table of contents isn’t required by the IB, but it’s worth including — especially if your report is on the longer side.
Auto-generate it in Word or Google Docs to keep everything aligned and up to date
Helps the examiner navigate your sections quickly
Shows attention to detail and a clear structure
It’s a small addition that makes your IB Physics IA feel more organized and professional.
Introduction
What should be included in the IB Physics IA Introduction?
The Physics IA introduction should give just enough background for the examiner to understand your investigation — what it’s about, and why you chose it.
What to include:
Brief context and background on the physics involved
Why the topic is relevant — either personally or in a real-world setting
Key theory or concepts that connect to your research question
(Save detailed explanation for your analysis later)
You’re aiming to orient the reader, not explain everything up front. Best to keep it concise and focused.
Research Question
How should you write the research question for your IB Physics IA?
The research question should be specific and testable through your experiment. It’s one of the first things examiners look for — and everything else in your IA should lead back to it.
What to include in your Physics IA Research Question:
A standalone section with the RQ clearly stated
Mention of both your independent and dependent variables
Enough detail to show what you're measuring and how
Example phrasing:
How does [independent variable] affect [dependent variable] under [conditions]?
What is the relationship between [variable 1] and [variable 2] in [context or setup]?
Make sure the question can be answered by collecting and analyzing data — not just by looking something up.
Variables
How should you present variables in your IB Physics IA?
Your IA should clearly identify and define all variables involved in your experiment. Examiners need to see that you understand what you're changing, what you're measuring, and what you're keeping constant.
What to include:
Independent variable – what you intentionally change
Dependent variable – what you measure in response
Controlled variables – factors you keep constant to ensure a fair test
It’s best to present this in a short table or bullet list. Keep it clear, measurable, and directly linked to your research question.
Materials and Equipment
What should the materials and equipment section include in your Physics IA?
List everything you used in the experiment — with enough detail that someone else could repeat it.
What to include:
A clear list of all materials and equipment
Quantities, concentrations, or ranges where relevant
Instrument precision or uncertainty values (e.g. digital balance ±0.01 g)
Be specific. Instead of saying “timer,” write “digital stopwatch (±0.01 s).” It shows you’ve paid attention to accuracy — and helps you later in your uncertainty analysis.
Safety, Ethical, and Environmental Considerations
What should you include about safety and ethics in your Physics IA?
Even if your experiment seems low-risk, you should briefly mention how you handled it responsibly.
What to include:
Safety precautions — e.g. electrical safety, secure setups, avoiding hazards
Ethical considerations — if your experiment involves people or animals, mention consent or care
Environmental concerns — how you minimized waste or handled disposal (if applicable)
This section doesn’t need to be long — just clear enough to show you considered these aspects and acted appropriately.
Methodology (Procedure)
How should you write the methodology section of your Physics IA?
This section should describe exactly how you carried out the experiment — clearly enough that someone else could replicate it.
What to include:
Step-by-step procedure, written in the past tense
Notes on how you controlled each variable
Mention of timing, measuring, or setup details that affect accuracy
(Optional but helpful): a labeled diagram or setup photo to show your experimental arrangement
Want feedback to ensure your methodology is precise enough?
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Data Collection
What should the data collection section include in your IB Physics IA?
This section is for presenting your raw data only — without any analysis or interpretation.
What to include:
Well-organized tables with clear headings, units, and uncertainty values
Consistent formatting — decimal places, significant figures, and labels should be aligned throughout
Qualitative observations (if relevant) — e.g. color change, vibration, irregular motion
Leave out any commentary or trend analysis here. That comes next.
Data Analysis
What should the data analysis section include in your IB Physics IA?
This is where you process your results and explain what they show — with clear calculations, visuals, and reasoning.
What to include:
At least one sample calculation, showing full working and correct significant figures
Graphs with labeled axes, units, titles, error bars, and best-fit lines where appropriate
Discussion of patterns or relationships in the data
Mention any anomalies and explain possible reasons
Link your findings to relevant physics theory
Be sure to explain what your data shows — not just what it is.
Need help with your analysis or graphs?
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Conclusion
What should the conclusion include in your IB Physics IA?
Your conclusion should give a clear, direct answer to your research question — backed by the data you’ve collected.
What to include:
A concise answer to the research question
Reference to specific results or trends that support it
A short explanation of how the outcome connects to relevant physics theory
A comment on the reliability of the conclusion, including uncertainties or limitations
Avoid introducing new data or ideas here — just close the loop.
Evaluation
What should the evaluation include in your IB Physics IA?
This section is about reflecting on your investigation — what worked, what didn’t, and how it could be improved.
What to include:
Strengths and weaknesses of your design and execution
Specific sources of error, not just “human error” — e.g. reaction time, instrument precision, environmental factors
The impact of those limitations on your results or conclusion
Realistic improvements — what you’d do differently and why
(Optional): an extension or follow-up experiment that builds on your findings
Examiners value evaluations that go beyond naming errors — they’re looking for insight into how your choices affected the outcome, and how the work could be strengthened if repeated.
References
How should you format references in your IB Physics IA?
Your IA should include a list of any sources you used — for background theory, formulas, data, or diagrams.
What to include:
A consistently formatted bibliography — APA is the most commonly used style
In-text citations that match the sources listed
Textbooks, scientific websites, articles, or manuals used to support your investigation
Keep it neat and complete. Proper referencing shows academic honesty and strengthens the credibility of your work.
Appendices (Optional)
What should go in the appendices of your Physics IA?
Appendices are for supporting material that’s too detailed or bulky for the main body.
What you can include:
Full raw data tables, if too large to fit cleanly in the Data Collection section
Sample calculations or repeated workings
Risk assessments, calibration records, or additional graphs
Label everything clearly (e.g. Appendix A, Appendix B) and refer to it in the main text if needed. Don’t place any key results, explanations, or analysis here — examiners aren’t required to read it.
Final Checks Before You Submit Your Physics IA
Before you upload your IA, it’s worth catching a few easy-to-miss details that could cost marks:
Units or uncertainties missing from your tables or graphs
Writing explanations or trends into the Data Collection section
Referencing key results only in the appendix
Overexplaining in the intro, or using vague terms like “human error”
Keep your structure tight, your formatting consistent, and your reasoning clear — that’s what helps examiners award marks confidently.
