Paul La Rondie pulls back the curtain on the less visible processes that shape both assessment and curriculum. From the moment a student submits their IA to the publication of the next curriculum guide, there’s an intricate system of moderation, review, and refinement at work. Drawing on his work as a Principal Moderator, senior examiner, and IB workshop leader, he walks us through the journey of an IA—from submission to moderation—and explains how consistency, fairness, and academic integrity are maintained across the system. We also explore how the IB Mathematics curriculum is reviewed and updated, highlighting the research, collaboration, and decision-making that inform curriculum changes over time.