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Are you currently facing the decision of choosing your education path and you are considering participating in the International Baccalaureate Programme? We are Clastify - a platform aimed at supporting IB students in achieving the best grades. Below you will find the most important information regarding the program, as well as the reasons why we recommend it.
What is the IB?
The Diploma Programme
DP is an intensive pre-university curriculum for students aged 16 to 19. Throughout two years, it offers a comprehensive education aimed at fostering students' knowledge, curiosity, empathy, and global awareness. Crucial to the program is the cultivation of intercultural understanding, open-mindedness, and the capacity to appreciate and evaluate diverse perspectives.
There are 3 other programs within IB for different age groups, however, the Diploma Programme is the most popular one (and it is the focus of this article).
IB subjects
Students are required to select one subject from each of the six groups, with the option to substitute an arts subject with two from another area. Below you will find examples of courses that you can choose within the groups. The availability of courses can vary between schools. Thus, make sure that if you decide to join the program, your preferred courses are offered.
- Language Acquisition - usually students choose their native language in this category
- Studies in Language and Literature - English, French, Spanish, German
- Individuals and Societies - Geography, History, Economics, Business and Management
- Mathematics - AA (Analysis and Approaches) or AI (Analysis and Interpretation)
- Sciences - Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer Science
- The Arts - Visual Arts, Music, Dance (or a subject from a different group)
Moreover, all DP students must complete three core components compulsory in the program: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), creativity, activity, service (CAS), and the extended essay (EE).
Assessment in the IB Program
Assessment in the IBDP consists of multiple components, each component is designed to evaluate a student's performance in a different way. The components are:
Written exams
Written exams are the main assessment component for each subject, usually accounting for around 70% of the final grade (the exact weight varies by subject). The IB offers two sessions (one in May and the other one in November) during which the exams can be taken. Each session lasts around 3 weeks and students need to sit up to 18 exams during that time.
Students are expected to sit multiple papers for each subject that they take. The number and format of these papers vary by subject. For example, for science, there are 3 papers: Paper 1 (multiple-choice questions), Paper 2 (extended-response questions), and Paper 3 (questions on experimental work), while for Language A (Language and Literature) there are only 2: Paper 1 (analysis of non-literary and literary texts), Paper 2 (essay on literary works studied in class, focusing on broader questions and themes).
All exams are closed-book exams and cover content studied during the whole IB program.
Internal Assessments
Internal Assessments (IAs) refer to coursework that students are required to produce for each subject and they cover the remaining 30% of the final grade. Usually, every subject has a single IA with different requirements. For example, for science the IA requires a student to undertake an experiment and write it up in a report, while for Language A the IA requires students to deliver a 10-minute oral presentation analyzing a text extract.
Students are usually given a couple of months to work on their IAs in their own time. This means that, unlike exams which are closed-book, students are allowed to use the internet, books, and other resources when working on their IAs. Here at Clastify we specialize in supporting students during their IA writing process so make sure to checkout our platform.
All IAs are internally assessed by teachers and only a small sample is sent to the IBO for moderation.
Extended Essay
The Extended Essay (EE) is a core component of the IB assessment. For the EE students are required to choose a topic, within a single subject, and conduct in-depth research to produce a 4,000-word paper. The EE is similar to an IA but much more in-depth.
When writing the EE each student is assigned a supervisor. The supervisor is typically a teacher at the student’s school who has expertise in the subject area of the student’s EE. The role of the supervisor is to guide the student in their research and writing process through regular meetings.
Unlike IAs, all Extended Essays are marked externally by the IB.
Theory of Knowledge
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is another core requirement where students are required to analyze and reflect on the nature of knowledge and the process of knowing. It could be considered an introduction to philosophy, however it is based on real-world examples.There are two pieces of assessment for TOK:
- Exhibition: students are required to create an exhibition of three objects that show how TOK concepts are applied in the real world.
Essay: students are required to submit a 1,600-word essay on a prescribed title that explores a conceptual issue in TOK.
CAS
CAS stands for Creativity, Activity, and Service. IB requires each student to complete CAS as a way to ensure that students are also well-rounded outside of the classroom.As part of CAS students are required to engage in creative, active, and service-oriented activities regularly over the course of the entire IB program. Students also need to keep a detailed record of all the activities performed and reflect on what they learned while performing them.
CAS does not affect your grades, it's assessed as pass or fail based on your engagement and completion of the requirements. Stay consistent, submit your reflections and evidence, and you'll pass CAS.
IB learner profile
The IB Learner Profile highlights ten important qualities that IB schools value. These qualities help students become responsible and active members of their communities and aim to develop people who can make the world better and more peaceful.
The ten qualities are: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective. These encourage students to be curious, love learning, think critically, communicate well, act fairly, appreciate cultural differences, show empathy, take risks, balance life aspects, and reflect on their learning.
In short, the IB Learner Profile helps students become capable, ethical, and thoughtful individuals ready to face global challenges and contribute positively to society.
Why is it worth choosing the IB?
Recognition - One of the key reasons why the IB is worth choosing is its recognition as a prestigious and globally respected educational program. The DP's international recognition facilitates the application process and entry into universities around the world, making it an excellent choice for students who aspire to study abroad. Admissions officers at top universities understand the challenges and high standards of the IB, often giving preference to IB graduates.
Ability to custom create one's plan - The IB also offers the flexibility to tailor your education to your interests and career goals. Students are required to select one subject from each of the six academic areas, but they also have the option to choose two subjects from another area instead of an arts subject. This flexibility allows students to create a personalized academic plan that aligns with their strengths and aspirations.
Unique subjects - The IB curriculum includes unique subjects and core components that distinguish it from other educational programs. The theory of knowledge (TOK) course encourages critical thinking about knowledge itself, while the creativity, activity, service (CAS) component promotes personal growth and community engagement. The extended essay (EE) allows students to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice, further developing their research and writing skills.
Language training - The programme provides excellent training in language skills. Students are required to study at least 2 languages. Learning in a non-native language enhances their communication abilities and cultural awareness.
Holistic education - The DP is designed to develop well-rounded individuals who excel academically while also being socially responsible and engaged citizens. The combination of rigorous academics with extracurricular activities ensures that students are not only prepared for university but also for the diverse challenges of life beyond school.
Strong research and time management skills - These abilities are critical for success in higher education and professional careers. The extended essay and various internal assessments require students to engage in extensive research, manage their time effectively, and meet strict deadlines. These skills are invaluable in university settings where independent study and project management are essential.
Drawbacks of the IB Programme
While the IB Programme has many benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider:
- Cost: The IB curriculum can be expensive due to additional payments for exams, books, and other resources. However, free resources are available, and some institutions offer full academic support for IB.
- Time Commitment: The IB coursework is extensive and requires a significant amount of time and effort from students.
- Restricted Access: IB schools are not available everywhere and are offered by a limited number of institutions worldwide.
- Stress and Workload: The IB Programme can be challenging and demanding, causing stress for some students. The workload is heavy, and achieving the maximum score of 45 points can be difficult.
- Rigid Framework: The IB Program has a strict structure, requiring students to choose a fixed number of subjects from specific categories. This can limit flexibility in subject choices and varies by school.
We are hoping that you found this article useful. If you are interested in finding out more about the IB we highly encourage you to check out the variety of free IB exemplars available on our website. Seeing them should give you a better idea of what is expected from the DP students. Additionally, you can head to our blog with more informative content.
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