Introduction
The IB Visual Arts course has three major components — the Exhibition, the Process Portfolio, and the Comparative Study. Each is graded according to specific assessment criteria. For many students, these criteria can feel overwhelming, full of academic jargon. But the truth is, once you break them down, they’re surprisingly straightforward.
This guide will simplify the IB Visual Arts assessment criteria so you know exactly what examiners are looking for — and how to aim for top marks.
IB Visual Arts Components and Criteria
1. The Exhibition
Your final showcase of selected artworks.
Examiners look for:
- Coherence – Do your works connect as a unified body?
- Variety – Have you shown a range of media, techniques, and ideas?
- Technical competence – Do your works show skill and refinement?
- Conceptual depth – Are your artworks thoughtful, with meaning and context?
- Curatorial rationale – Have you explained your choices clearly?
2. The Process Portfolio
A digital submission of experimental work, reflections, and research.
Examiners look for:
- Experimentation – Have you tried different media, techniques, and approaches?
- Process and development – Do you show how ideas grow and evolve?
- Artist research – Have you studied influences from different cultures or times?
- Reflection – Do you explain what worked, what failed, and what you learned?
