IB Rubric Design Checklist: Build Clear, Consistent Rubrics

Analytic rubrics break assessment into clear criteria and performance levels, which is ideal for IB classrooms where consistency and transparency matter.

Use this checklist to build rubrics that students understand and teachers can score consistently.

Start from IB criteria

IB rubrics typically reflect criteria like focus, knowledge and understanding, critical thinking, presentation, and engagement. For example, the Extended Essay rubric uses those core categories.

IB rubric design checklist

1. Write criteria in student-friendly language and avoid vague terms.
2. Limit to 3-5 criteria so students can prioritize their revisions.
3. Define performance levels with observable behaviors.
4. Include a short descriptor of what "excellent" looks like.
5. Align each criterion to a learning objective or IB assessment aim.
6. Test the rubric on 2-3 sample essays to calibrate scoring.
7. Revise any criteria that produce inconsistent results across teachers.
8. Share the rubric before students begin drafting.

Rubric clarity tests

• Student test: Can a student identify the next improvement step from the rubric alone?
• Teacher test: Do two teachers score a sample essay within one level of each other?
• Time test: Can you apply the rubric quickly without losing accuracy?

Templates and next steps

Build a reusable class rubric, then apply it to IA drafts using the IB Internal Assessment Grader.