Standard Level Problem Suggestions

Higher Level Problem Suggestions

• My views (sorry, can't help it) are: Problems should be open-ended so that they can be started small but expanded to fill the available time. Games programs almost always fail this test.
  
• Problems need to be data-based under the present criteria since data files are required both at SL and HL. Games programs almost always fail this test.
  
• Problems should be "real world" and have real users where possible - this makes investigation and analysis much easier. Games programs almost always fail this test.
  
• Projects should clearly focus on the essential requirements - every proposed module and feature should be put to the "does it enhance my chances of getting a good score?" test. Programs with neat and nifty graphic interfaces are great fun to do but can really eat into project time - and the examiner never sees them. Games programs almost always fail this test.
  
• Try to avoid stating the problem as "you are to write a program which." but rather allow the student to explore various solutions to gain insight and improve their analyses of the problem.
  
• For our US friends it is worth pointing out that unmodified AP exercises are usually unsuitable as IB dossier projects.

(No point in having a website if you can't use it to express your own prejudices, is there? :-)

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