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Navigating the International Baccalaureate program can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding its unique grading system. Whether you're a student aiming for top scores or a parent trying to support your child's academic journey, having a clear grasp of how IB grades are determined is essential. This comprehensive guide will break down the IB grading system, equipping you with all the essential information you need to embark on your academic journey with confidence.
IB Grading System
The IB Diploma is a two-year course of study. All IB students take six subjects from different academic areas, with three subjects studied at the higher level (HL) and three at the standard level (SL). The IB Diploma is assessed on a scale with a maximum score of 45 points. In order to pass, students must achieve at least 24 points, with at least 12 points from HL subjects. It is important to mention that out of the 45 points, 42 points are attainable from subject grades, with the additional 3 points attainable from the IB Core Components.
Subject Grades
Each of the 6 IB subjects is graded on a scale from 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest possible score. The grades reflect the student's performance in both External and Internal Assessment.
External Assessment
The External Assessments are, as the name suggests, marked externally (i.e. not by the student's school) by examiners appointed by the IBO. External Assessments primarily consist of written exams, taken at the end of the course in DP2. Typically, subjects have 2-3 exam papers, with an additional paper for those taking the subject at the HL level. It is important to mention that some subjects, such as Music, may also include coursework in addition to written exams, with both components marked externally.
Internal Assessment
The Internal Assessment is an investigation into a topic chosen by the student that contributes to their final subject grade and is evaluated internally by the school. The Internal Assessment has a smaller weighting than the External Assessment, typically accounting for around 20%-30% of the overall subject grade. For more detailed information on the Internal Assessment and its weighting, grading and writing process, make sure to check out our blog post.
IB Core
In addition to subject grades, students may obtain up to 3 points from the IB Core Components. The IB Core consists of the Extended Essay, TOK, and CAS.
Extended Essay and TOK
- The Extended Essay (EE) is a 4000 word-long research paper in which students investigate virtually any topic of their choice that relates to one of the 6 IB DP subject groups. In the Extended Essay, students produce an academic paper individually while being guided by a supervisor. The EE is then marked externally by examiners appointed by the IBO. To learn more about the EE, make sure to check out our blog post dedicated to it.
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is an additional subject which revolves around the exploration of knowledge questions, which are a key tool in the learning process. The grade from TOK is determined by the student's performance in the TOK Essay and TOK Exhibition. To learn more about TOK, make sure to check out our other blog post!
The Extended Essay and TOK are both graded from A to E, A being the best grade. The grades received from the EE and TOK determine the amount of points a student obtains out of the 3 available Core Points. The number of points is calculated using the table below:
| EE/TOK Grade | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Fail |
B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Fail |
C | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Fail |
D | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Fail |
E | Fail | Fail | Fail | Fail | Fail |
CAS
CAS is a core component of the IB DP aimed at personal and interpersonal development, where students engage in creative projects, physical activities, and community service over two years, documenting their progress in a CAS portfolio. Although CAS does not contribute directly to the points total, the completion of CAS is a requirement for earning the IB Diploma.
How are grade boundaries determined?
Grade boundaries are the minimum marks needed to achieve a specific grade. IB grade boundaries aren't fixed. To ensure fairness across sessions, the IBO carefully examines the difficulty level of the exam as well as student performance and adjusts the boundaries accordingly.
We hope you found this post helpful! For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
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