MYP Assessment Criteria (A–D) Explained for Every Subject
Every MYP subject uses four criteria, but the titles change by subject group. Here is what A, B, C and D mean in the subjects CritABCD covers, and how to climb from the lower bands to the top.
Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
- •A — Knowing and understanding: recall and apply science to new situations.
- •B — Inquiring and designing: hypothesise and plan a valid investigation.
- •C — Processing and evaluating: handle data, conclude, and evaluate the method.
- •D — Reflecting on the impacts of science: discuss implications for people and the environment.
Individuals & Societies (Humanities, Geography)
- •A — Knowing and understanding: use terminology and explain content and concepts.
- •B — Investigating: set a research question and follow an action plan.
- •C — Communicating: structure and reference work for the audience.
- •D — Thinking critically: analyse sources, weigh perspectives, build arguments.
Design
- •A — Inquiring and analysing: justify the need and analyse existing products.
- •B — Developing ideas: specify success criteria and design feasible solutions.
- •C — Creating the solution: plan and make with technical skill.
- •D — Evaluating: test against the specification and judge impact.
How to move up the bands
Level descriptors escalate through verbs. Lower bands ask you to state or outline; higher bands ask you to explain, then analyse, justify or evaluate. The single most reliable way to gain marks is to answer with the command verb the top band uses — and to back every claim with specific evidence.
Frequently asked questions
There are always four criteria (A–D), each out of 8, but their titles and focus differ by subject group — for example Sciences uses “Inquiring and designing” for B, while Individuals & Societies uses “Investigating”.
Match the command verb the top band uses (analyse, justify, evaluate), address every strand of the criterion, and support each point with specific, relevant evidence.