IB DP Digital Society EXAMS: 6-Mark Questions - THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE

Why This Digital Society Guide Works

This guide is based on analysis of real IB exam papers, mark schemes, and examiner feedback.

The brutal truth: Most students know enough content to score well, but they use wrong strategies for 6-mark cognitive demands. 6-mark questions aren't about knowing more, they're about demonstrating you thinking and structured responses.

For "Explain Three" Questions (70% of 6-markers)

Use TIS×3 (Technology-Impact-Significance):

Point 1 (2 marks):

• Technology: Name specific digital tech (1 mark)

• Impact: Explain HOW it works

• Significance: Show WHY it matters (1 mark)

Point 2 (2 marks):

• Different Technology/method

• Different Impact/mechanism

• Different Significance

Point 3 (2 marks):

• Another Technology/method

• Another Impact/mechanism

• Another Significance

This works because: Mark schemes award 1 mark for identification, 1 mark for development. TIS ensures both.

For "Compare and Contrast" Questions (25% of 6-markers)

Use the 3S Method (Source-Similar-Separate):

Paragraph 1:

• Source: "Both Source C and D show..."

• Similar: What they agree on

• Separate: "However, Source C... whereas Source D..."

Paragraph 2:

• Another comparison following same pattern

• Different aspect/theme

• Must reference both sources

Paragraph 3:

• Final comparison or overall pattern

• Broader implication

• Still referencing both sources

This works because: Examiner comments consistently praise "explicit references to sources" and "adequate comparison throughout."

The Non-Negotiables (From Actual Marking)

✅ Three genuinely different points (not variations)

✅ Technical vocabulary (shows Digital Society knowledge)

✅ "Source C states..." not "the source says..." (explicit citation)

✅ Clear transitions ("Additionally," "Furthermore," "Finally")

The Bottom Line: What Examiners ACTUALLY Want

Looking at real marked papers:

• 6/6 papers: Clear structure, three points, full explanations

• 4/6 papers: Good content but missing third point or weak development

• 2/6 papers: Lists without explanation

The winning formula is embarrassingly simple:

1. Count to three (need 3 points)

2. Develop each fully (what-how-why)

3. Keep them distinct (genuinely different)

4. Cite sources explicitly (for compare/contrast)

Emergency Exam Strategy

If confused, default to this:

1. Point 1: [Specific tech] works by [mechanism] which matters because [impact]

2. Point 2: [Different tech] functions through [different process] significant for [different reason]

3. Point 3: [Another tech] operates via [another method] important due to [another impact]

Digital Society students responding to a 6-mark question