You have written your Criterion D response. But is it actually ready to submit? Many students lose marks on Criterion D not because they lack knowledge, but because they rush the final review. This ultimate checklist walks you through everything you need to verify before you hand in any MYP Criterion D response — whether you are in Design, Science, Mathematics, Language & Literature, or Individuals and Societies.
SECTION A: Coverage and Content
• ☐ Have I addressed every strand of Criterion D for my subject? (Check your MYP subject guide)
• ☐ Have I supported every claim with specific evidence — not just general statements?
• ☐ Have I evaluated both strengths AND limitations — not just positives?
• ☐ Have I connected my work to a real-world context, issue, or Global Context?
• ☐ Have I made suggestions for improvement that are specific, justified, and realistic?
SECTION B: Language and Communication
• ☐ Have I used subject-specific vocabulary throughout?
• ☐ Have I used evaluative language ('because', 'therefore', 'however', 'this suggests that')?
• ☐ Is my register appropriate for academic writing in this subject?
• ☐ Are my sentences varied in structure and length?
• ☐ Have I eliminated vague phrases like 'I think' and 'it was good'?
SECTION C: Higher-Order Thinking
• ☐ Does my response demonstrate genuine reflection — not just description?
• ☐ Have I acknowledged complexity, nuance, or contradictions in my analysis?
• ☐ Have I considered multiple perspectives or stakeholders where relevant?
• ☐ Does my response show that I understand the broader implications of my work?
• ☐ Would an examiner describe this response as 'sophisticated and detailed'?
SECTION D: Final Formatting Check
• ☐ Is the response clearly structured with logical paragraphing?
• ☐ If required, have I included a bibliography or in-text citations?
• ☐ Have I proofread for grammatical and spelling errors?
• ☐ Does the length and depth of the response match a Level 7–8 descriptor?
• ☐ Have I reviewed the rubric one final time to ensure full alignment?
💡 Inacademic's Tip: Inacademic's MYP 5 Criterion D question bank includes interactive self-assessment tools that mirror this checklist. After completing any practice response, you can rate your own work against each rubric strand, receive automated feedback, and track your improvement over time. Make Inacademics your final check before every real assessment.