Many IB students assume that once the analysis is done, the conclusion does not matter much. In reality, a weak conclusion can quietly cap your IA grade, even if the rest of the investigation is strong. Examiners use the conclusion to judge how well you understand your own work, and this is where many students fall short.
One common problem is vagueness. Conclusions often avoid directly answering the research question, instead offering general statements or cautious summaries. When a conclusion does not clearly state what the investigation shows, examiners struggle to award higher marks. A strong IA conclusion should leave no doubt about what can be concluded from the evidence.
Another issue is repetition without insight. Simply restating results or analysis does not demonstrate higher-level thinking. Examiners already know what your data showed—they want to see what it means. Conclusions that repeat earlier sections without synthesis signal limited academic control and often sit in the middle markbands.
Some conclusions weaken an IA by undermining the investigation. Students sometimes overemphasise limitations at the end, making the entire study seem unreliable. While limitations are important, they belong primarily in the evaluation. A conclusion that focuses too heavily on flaws can make examiners hesitant to reward strong earlier work.
Introducing new information is another frequent mistake. New data, concepts, or arguments in the conclusion confuse examiners and suggest poor planning. The conclusion should build on what has already been established, not introduce ideas that were never analysed.
Tone also plays a major role. Conclusions that sound apologetic or uncertain often lose marks. Phrases that excessively hedge claims without justification make the investigation appear weak. While IB work should always be evidence-based, conclusions should still be confident and precise within those limits.
A strong conclusion also shows synthesis. Examiners want to see that you can bring together different strands of your IA—methods, evidence, and analysis—into a coherent final insight. When conclusions feel fragmented or rushed, they suggest that the student has not fully grasped the significance of their own findings.
Ultimately, the conclusion is where examiners look for intellectual maturity. It is your final opportunity to demonstrate clarity, focus, and judgment. A weak conclusion does not just affect that section—it influences how the entire IA is perceived.
The RevisionDojo Coursework Guide explains how to write conclusions that clearly answer the research question, reinforce analysis, and strengthen your final mark. When students treat the conclusion as a strategic section rather than an afterthought, IA grades improve significantly.
