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The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a rigorous, globally recognized curriculum formulated to develop well-rounded students who can excel both academically and personally. It is a 2-year program aimed towards students aged 16-19 years old and develops skills such as time management, critical thinking, and collaboration. But how does it work? This post is here to give you an in-depth guide to what the IBDP entails so that you are fully prepared before you decide to enrol in this program.
How Does IB Work?
IB Subject Groups
The IBDP consists of 6 subject groups, as outlined below. Students are required to choose at least one subject from groups 1-5, while doing a group 6 subject is optional and can be replaced with a second subject from groups 2-4.
Group 1 (Studies in Language and Literature): This is usually the student's first or native language. For more information on Group 1, see this post here.
Group 2 (Language Acquisition): This focuses on learning a second language, such as Spanish, French, or Mandarin. For more information on Group 2, see this post here.
Group 3 (Individuals and Societies): This covers humanities subjects like History, Geography, Economics, and Global Politics. For more information on Group 3, see this post here.
Group 4 (Sciences): This focuses on the natural sciences such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS). For more information on group 4, see this post here.
Group 5 (Mathematics): Students can choose from Math Analysis and Approaches (for theoretical math) to Math Applications and Interpretation (for practical math).
Group 6 (Arts): This is an optional group including subjects such as Visual Arts, Music, and Theatre. If students do not wish to pursue an Arts subject, they can choose to study another subject from Groups 2-4.
For a guide on how to choose IB subjects, see these posts here and here.
Levels of Study
In IB there are 2 levels of study - higher level and standard level. At HL, topics are covered in more depth than at SL, with more hours dedicated to teaching. Some topics may also be exclusive to HL and will not be taught at SL. HL is good for students wishing to pursue these subjects in college, while SL is good for students who are interested in the subject but are not looking to pursue it further.
Higher Level (HL): Students can take up to 4 subjects at HL, although most students tend to do 3 HL subjects. HL is taught in more depth and requires 240 teaching hours per subject.
Standard Level (SL): The remaining subjects are taken at SL. SL is taught in less depth and requires 150 teaching hours per subject.
Assessment criteria: The weight of external and internal assessments is the same for both HL and SL - 80% external and 20% internal assessments. However, the examinations for HL will cover more content than their SL counterparts. For more information on Sl versus HL, check out this post here.
DP Core
The DP core consists of TOK, EE and CAS, which make IB learners more well-rounded. The DP core must be passed for the student to receive their IB diploma. TOK and EE consist of essays while CAS involves extracurricular activities and community service.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK): This component requires students to write a 1600-word essay and deliver a presentation as part of the TOK exhibition. The TOK component explores the nature of knowledge and how we "know what we know." Click the links in blue for more guidance regarding the TOK word limit, criteria/checklist, and format/structure.
Extended Essay (EE): This is a 4000-word essay that students must complete based on any subject they are studying. It is preferable that students do their EE on one of their HL subjects, although this is not mandatory. EE guidelines differ by subject so for more guidance on the respective EE of your subject, head to our blog and use the filter to narrow down articles that are relevant to you.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): This involves extracurricular activities focused on creativity (arts), activity (physical movement), and service (community engagement). The aim of CAS is to ensure Ib students are well-rounded and not just focused on academics. Click the links in blue for more guidance regarding CAS hours requirements, deadlines, and learning outcomes.
Grading
Grading in IB uses a numbered scale instead of the standard A-F grading scale. The total IB score is a combination of the points received from subjects as well as the DP core (TOK and EE).
Points from subjects: Each subject is scored on a scale of 1–7, with 7 being the highest. A maximum of 42 points can be obtained from IB subjects.
Points from DP core: Up to 3 points can be scored from the TOK and EE components of the DP core. CAS is not graded and is marked on a completion/non-completion basis.
Passing requirements: A minimum of 24 points must be obtained to earn the diploma. Additionally, students must not receive an E on the TOK/EE and must meet the conditions for obtaining an IB Diploma, as outlined in this post.
For a detailed breakdown of IB grading, see this post here which includes the TOK/EE points matrix.
Internal vs External Assessment
To ensure fairness in grading, the IBDP subjects are graded based on both internal and external assessments. The teachers at a school grade internal assessments, while IB examiners grade external assessments.
Internal assessments (IAs): These consist of projects, essays, or experiments graded by teachers and moderated by IB examiners. Your teacher is responsible for determining this component of your grade, with only a small sample of IAs sent to the IB for moderation to ensure fairness in your teacher's grading.
External assessments: These are usually exams taken at the end of the IB program and are graded by IB examiners worldwide. Exams can include multiple-choice questions, short answers, and essay questions. There are two formal examination periods per academic year - May and November.
We hope this guide has helped you understand how the IB works. Good luck with your studies! For more help with IB content, you can browse through our library of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify, as well as other guides available on our blog.
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