Getting stuck halfway through an IB Internal Assessment is one of the most common experiences students face. Motivation drops, progress slows, and uncertainty sets in. Many students assume this means something has gone wrong, but in reality, feeling stuck is a normal part of independent coursework.
One major reason students stall midway is loss of clarity. Early in the IA, the task feels concrete: choosing a topic, writing a research question, collecting data. Halfway through, the work becomes more abstract. You are expected to analyse, evaluate, and make judgments. If the research question is slightly unfocused or the purpose of sections is unclear, progress naturally grinds to a halt.
Another common issue is perfectionism. Many students reach a point where nothing feels “good enough” to write down. They reread earlier sections repeatedly instead of moving forward. This creates the illusion of work without actual progress. IB examiners reward clarity and relevance, not perfection at the drafting stage.
Some students get stuck because they are trying to solve everything at once. Analysis, evaluation, structure, and wording all feel interconnected, so it becomes hard to know where to start. This often leads to avoidance rather than action.
The most effective way to get unstuck is to shift from writing to diagnosing. Ask yourself simple questions: Do I know exactly what my research question is asking? Can I clearly explain how this section earns marks? Am I describing, or am I analysing? Identifying the type of problem is more useful than forcing yourself to write more words.
Breaking the IA into smaller tasks is also essential. Instead of aiming to “finish the analysis,” aim to explain one result clearly or improve one paragraph’s link to the research question. Momentum usually returns once progress feels manageable again.
It is also important not to restart unnecessarily. Many students believe the solution is to scrap their IA and begin again. This almost always increases stress and wastes valuable time. Most IAs that feel stuck need refinement and refocusing, not replacement.
Finally, remember that feeling stuck is often a sign that the IA is moving into higher-level thinking. This is where marks are earned. Discomfort usually means you are being pushed beyond simple description.
The RevisionDojo Coursework Guide helps students diagnose exactly why they are stuck and provides structured ways to move forward without losing time or confidence. When students treat being stuck as a signal—not a failure—they regain control of their IA.
👉 https://www.revisiondojo.com/coursework-guide
