Cambridge IPQ has been redesigned to preserve its demanding standards while offering students considerably more freedom to express their ideas. The overhaul retains the core assessment criteria that have long defined the qualification, yet it introduces new options for creative presentation. Schools can now tailor projects to individual interests without sacrificing the rigor expected by universities.
Students are encouraged to choose a topic that genuinely excites them, one that demonstrates critical thinking and independent research, remains realistic in scope, and can be linked to future university courses or career ambitions. Selecting a manageable theme helps ensure that the project can be completed within the school year while still providing depth.
A student looking to work in the video-games industry might host an Esports tournament as part of their IPQ.
An aspiring engineer with an interest in sustainability could design and build an electric guitar using found objects.
Liam explains, “This gives learners direction and support, while allowing them the flexibility and autonomy to lead their project in their own way.” He adds, “This structure means the learner’s written report can be shorter.”
Those who opt for a pure research report must keep the written component under a 3,000-word cap. If the project includes a physical artefact, the accompanying report is limited to roughly 1,000 words, encouraging concise documentation of the build process. These limits help maintain focus and ensure that assessment remains manageable for examiners.
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