Overview

External Assessment

Part 1 - Connections Study 20% (24 marks)

This is an SL-only task focused on the student situating in context one of their resolved artworks, chosen from the five they submit for IA.

The study presents curated visual and written evidence to demonstrate the connections between the student’s chosen resolved artwork and their own context(s), and between the chosen artwork and at least two artworks by different artists. The connections must be informed by research, and the study must demonstrate understanding of the cultural significance of the two artworks by different artists.

SL students submit two mandatory files.

• One PDF file of up to 10 screens including visual evidence and supporting written materials. The total word count must not exceed 2,500 words.

• One separate text file listing the sources.

Part 2 - Art Making Portfolio 40% (32 marks)

This task applies to both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) students and centers on art-making as a process of inquiry.

Students are expected to select and arrange visual evidence that showcases their personal investigations, creative explorations, and artistic development, all supported by thoughtful critical reflections. This curated portfolio should reflect their engagement with diverse art-making approaches and creative strategies.

The portfolio should clearly demonstrate how the student has developed and refined their visual language through one or more lines of inquiry. It must also explicitly include the inquiry questions or guiding statements that informed their process.

SL students are required to submit two files:

1. A single PDF file of up to 15 screens, containing visual documentation and accompanying written commentary. The total written content must not exceed 3,000 words.

2. A separate text file listing all referenced sources.

Internal Assessment 

Resolved Artworks 40% (32 marks)

This task is exclusively for Standard Level (SL) students and focuses on their ability to produce a cohesive body of work. Each student submits five fully resolved artworks that represent their strongest efforts in clearly expressing their artistic intentions.

Students must demonstrate how concept and form are thoughtfully integrated, as well as their skill in completing and refining their artworks. In addition, they are required to write a rationale explaining their artistic goals and the decisions behind the creation of their cohesive set of artworks.

SL students must submit six files:

1. Five image or video files (up to three minutes each) showcasing the resolved artworks. Each submission should include a title, medium, and dimensions. Students may also submit up to two optional supporting images per artwork to show close-ups or alternate views.

2. One PDF file, up to two screens, containing the rationale. The written rationale must not exceed 700 words.