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One of the things you might be most worried about when you’re writing an Internal Assessment or extended essay is how does IB check for plagiarism. Over the years, I’ve worked with many students, and I can say that the IB really values academic honesty. But what tools and methods does the IB use to make sure your work is original?
Let me show you how this process works, what you should not do, and how to be sure that your work is honest.
What Counts as Plagiarism in the IB?
The biggest misunderstanding about plagiarism is that it only means copying and pasting whole lines from the Internet. But it’s much bigger and tougher when it comes to academic writing. To understand how IB checks for plagiarism, you must first know what IB means by “plagiarism.”
In general, the IB says that plagiarism is when you pass off someone else’s thoughts or work as your own. It doesn’t matter if it’s a few sentences or just one line—there is a problem if it’s not yours and you didn’t give credit.
So, in the IB, this is what most of the time counts as plagiarism:
- Copying text from a website or book without citation.
- Using someone else’s thoughts in your own words without giving them credit.
- Taking an essay or IA from the Internet and passing it off as your own.
- Reusing parts of your work (like from your TOK essay or another subject) without referencing them.
- Sending AI-written material without disclosing it.
IB students should be able to explain the origins of their thoughts, knowledge, and data. Technical correctness isn’t the only thing that matters; academic honesty is, too. That’s why you must still cite the source even if you sum up or change a few words.
Most IB students who get in trouble for plagiarism aren’t trying to cheat, in my view. They just didn’t know how strict the rules were. Because of this, you must properly attribute all borrowed information, whether it’s a quote, a fact, or an idea.
What Does IB Use to Check Plagiarism?
The answer is simple: Turnitin. This is the primary IB plagiarism checker used across most schools. It’s often part of the digital submission process for TOK essays, Internal Assessments, and even extended essays.
When you turn in your paper, Turnitin checks it against a vast collection of academic sources, such as:
- Websites and online articles.
- Previously submitted student papers from around the world.
- Books and journals.
- Educational repositories and subscription-based academic content.
This tool not only searches for precise matches. In reality, one of Turnitin’s strengths is its ability to detect paraphrased text or sentence patterns that mimic previous material, even if the phrasing has been significantly changed.
Not every match in the likeness report means trouble, which may make you feel better. Common words, list entries, and correctly cited sources show up a lot, but they are not seen as offenses. The setting is important.
From what I’ve seen, the IB looks for trends that show you aren’t thinking of your own ideas. For instance, your teacher and the IB examiner will take notice if a lot of your IA is too similar to online pieces or previous student work, and you haven’t properly cited them.
Students often think that changing a few words is enough to stay hidden, but that’s not a good idea. It’s still IB plagiarism to turn in someone else’s work without giving credit, even if it’s “just a few lines.”
It’s always clear what the best thing to do is: write your thoughts and cite everything else.
Can IB Check for AI Plagiarism?
To be honest, AI writing tools are now everywhere, and a smart assistant is likely something you’ve used or know someone who has. From what I’ve seen, students use these tools to generate ideas, create plans, or revise their writing. That part might not be the trouble. The real problem begins when students submit work created by AI as if it were their own.
“AI isn’t a person, so is it even plagiarism?” you might be asking. The IB says that the answer is yes—not citing the source is still considered plagiarism, even if the source is AI-generated.
How Plagiarism Checkers Detect AI?
There are a few more steps to take after this. Traditional plagiarism checkers compare your text to material that was written by a person: websites, books, academic papers, and prior student work. There was no need to check for AI plagiarism.
But recently, AI recognition features have been added to Turnitin and other platforms. These tools identify trends that are common in AI-generated materials. Some of these are extremely formal sentence patterns characterized by a lack of original thought, broad statements that are unclear, and repetitive use of the same words. Are these tools always right? Not at all. However, they’re improving quickly, and what’s more, the teachers are also catching on.
From what I’ve seen, IB teachers can usually tell when work was made by AI long before the software does. When a student who usually writes in a relaxed, thoughtful way turns in a perfectly organized essay full of abstract analysis and no personal voice, it immediately makes you suspicious.
So, when you ask, “Can a plagiarism checker find AI?” the honest answer is “sometimes,” but your IB teacher or examiner can almost certainly find it.
What Does IB Currently Do About AI Writing?
Current IB regulation states that it is malpractice to use AI to write any portion of your IA, EE, or TOK essay without giving due credit. Thus, it is equivalent to copying and pasting someone else’s work.
Here’s where it gets tricky. It’s okay to use AI to spark ideas, fix awkward sentences, or polish your language—but it has to be used the right way. If AI plays a significant role in shaping your content or structure, you need to be upfront about it.
I think being open is your best chance. A small note in your reflection or process record might be pretty helpful. The IB doesn’t want you to be flawless, but it does expect you to be honest.
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How Are Internal Assessments Checked for Originality?
Internal Assessments (IAs) are just as heavily monitored as extended essays. Every IA is submitted through an IA plagiarism checker, such as Turnitin. The same rules apply: any match above a certain threshold prompts manual review by your teacher or IB coordinator.
In my opinion, this is where many students get caught. They feel that IAs are “less formal” because the teacher marks them. But remember: teachers are trained and required to report anything suspicious.
You might think you can reword a few articles and get away with it, but Turnitin will catch paraphrased content, too. In some schools, students can see their similarity reports before final submission—a great way to fix issues before it’s too late. If not, ask your teacher if they’ll review it with you.
Remember, even reusing content from your own EE in your IA without citation is considered IB plagiarism.
What Happens If IB Detects Plagiarism or AI Use?
Many students believe that if something is flagged as questionable, it will simply disappear on its own. The IB doesn’t work that way, though. If the plagiarism checker or your teacher finds something fishy, things can get worse very quickly.
Most of the time, your teacher will be the first to talk to you. They may ask how you learned about your subject or if you had help from someone else. Based on my experience, this first talk is your chance to make things clear or clear up any confusion. But if your teacher still thinks about academic misconduct, the problem doesn’t end there. It goes up the line.
The next step is for the IB Coordinator to look over what happened and decide if it needs to be mentioned to the IB Final Award Committee. This group is responsible for all cases of academic dishonesty and follows a strict procedure. You might have to give more drafts, study logs, or proof that the work is your own. It’s a real investigation.
At this point, the IB looks at more than just the finished bit. They look at your process, how you’ve changed over time, and whether your writing style fits what you’ve sent in the past. There may be problems even if you use sources or organize them in different ways. That’s why it’s crucial to keep good records of your sources, drafts, and comments.
Possible Outcomes and Penalties
Uncredited AI use or plagiarism with proof can have serious repercussions. Depending on what’s going on, you could face:
- You can get 0 on the assignment.
- Failing the subject.
- No IB Diploma awarded.
- Notification of universities or future institutions.
Take that in. One choice could mean losing everything you’ve worked on for two years.
There’s no way I would take that chance. You shouldn’t do something that could cost you your diploma because you’re under a lot of stress or have to finish a task quickly. It’s better to ask for help or an extension if you’re having trouble than to let the problem get worse and end up as IB plagiarism or AI misuse. So, you can always contact our experts at IBStudentHelp.com and get some assistance for any IB assignment.
Nick Radlinsky
Nick Radlinsky is a devoted educator, marketing specialist, and management expert with more than 15 years of experience in the education sector. After obtaining his business degree in 2016, Nick embarked on a quest to achieve his PhD, driven by his commitment to enhancing education for students worldwide. His vast experience, starting in 2008, has established him as a reputable authority in the field.
Nick's article, featured in Routledge's "Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: Development through Internationalization," highlights his sharp insights and unwavering dedication to advancing the educational landscape. Inspired by his personal motto, "Make education better," Nick's mission is to streamline students' lives and foster efficient learning. His inventive ideas and leadership have contributed to the transformation of numerous educational experiences, distinguishing him as a true innovator in his field.
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