The Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year experience for 11th and 12th graders that prepares them for college and an increasingly global world. Students take a balanced set of demanding courses plus three core components that build critical thinking, research skills and personal growth. There are two pathways: Diploma Candidate and Certificate Student.
To earn the IB Diploma, students:
- Take six IB courses across subject areas (English, a world language, math, science, history, and an arts or elective option), with 3 to 4 at Higher Level (HL) and the rest at Standard Level (SL).
- Complete the IB Core: Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS.
- Take IB exams at the end, which include written assessments, projects, and sometimes oral presentations or performances.
- Maintain academic integrity, commitment and steady engagement for both years.
To earn the IB Certificate, students:
- Take at least two IB courses across subject areas, some at HL and some at SL.
- Take part in the IB Core: TOK, with CAS as an option.
- Take the end-of-programme IB exams.
- Maintain academic integrity, commitment and engagement.
Awarding of the IB Diploma
The IB Diploma is a 2 year course of study. All IB students study 6 subjects from different academic areas of which 3 (or 4) are studied at higher level and 3(or 2) at standard level. IB subjects are graded on a 1- 7 scale with 7 being the highest score. To qualify for the award of the IB Diploma a student must receive a combined score of at least 24 points across 6 subjects with at least 12 points from higher level subjects and a minimum of 9 points from standard level subjects.
In addition to the 6 subjects, IB Diploma students are required to complete three Core elements and the Group 4 project – Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), and the Group 4 Project
The maximum points that can be awarded to an IB Diploma student is the full score of 45 with 42 points generated across the 6 subjects and 3 bonus points derived from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. To be eligible for the award of the Diploma students must receive at least a D in Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay as explained in the table below:
| Theory of Knowledge Grade | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extended Essay Grade | Excellent A | Good B | Satisfactory C | Mediocre D | Elementary E | Not Submitted | |
| Excellent A | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Failing Condition | N | |
| Good B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Failing Condition | N | |
| Satisfactory C | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Failing Condition | N | |
| Mediocre D | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Failing Condition | N | |
| Elementary E | Failing Condition | Failing Condition | Failing Condition | Failing Condition | Failing Condition | N | |
| Not Submitted | N* | N | N | N | N | N |
*N=No diploma awarded
What is the CORE and how is it assessed?
The Core comprises Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service).
Theory of Knowledge is a (minimum) 100 hour course taught over 2 years about critical thinking and inquiry into the nature of knowledge. It is assessed through an exhibition of knowledge objects (Internal Assessment Year 1) and a 1600-word essay (External Assessment Year 2).
The Extended Essay is a 4000-word independent research essay into a topic that the student is interested in. The student is guided by a supervisor.
CAS is a journey of self-discovery in which students participate in a range of activities to meet seven learning outcomes.
Possible Diploma Routes/Options
Example 1: Subjects selected from all 6 Groups
| Subject | Level | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | English A: Language and Literature | HL | 7 |
| Group 2 | Spanish B | SL | 6 |
| Group 3 | History of the Americas | HL | 7 |
| Group 4 | Biology | HL | 6 |
| Group 5 | Math Applications | SL | 6 |
| Group 6 | Visual Arts | SL | 7 |
| Theory of Knowledge | A | 3 | |
| Extended Essay | A | ||
| Total Points | 42 | ||
| CAS | Completed |
This student would be awarded an IB diploma.
Example 2: Studying 2 Humanities (or 2 sciences)
| Subject | Level | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | English A: Language and Literature | HL | 5 |
| Group 2 | Spanish B | SL | 6 |
| Group 3 | History of the Americas | HL | 5 |
| Group 4 | Biology | HL | 6 |
| Group 5 | Math Applications | SL | 6 |
| Group 6 | Psychology | SL | 7 |
| Theory of Knowledge | B | 1 | |
| Extended Essay | D | ||
| Total Points | 36 | ||
| CAS | Completed |
This student would be awarded an IB diploma.
Example 3: Studying 2 Humanities (or 2 sciences)
| Subject | Level | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | English A: Language and Literature | HL | 5 |
| Group 2 | Spanish B | SL | 5 |
| Group 3 | History of the Americas | HL | 4 |
| Group 4 | Biology | HL | 4 |
| Group 5 | Math Applications | SL | 4 |
| Group 6 | Psychology/SEHS | SL | 3 |
| Theory of Knowledge | D | 0 | |
| Extended Essay | D | ||
| Total Points | 25 | ||
| CAS | Completed |
This student would be awarded an IB diploma.
Example 3: Studying 2 Humanities (or 2 sciences)
| Subject | Level | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | English A: Language and Literature | HL | 5 |
| Group 2 | Spanish B | SL | 5 |
| Group 3 | History of the Americas | HL | 5 |
| Group 4 | Biology | HL | 4 |
| Group 5 | Math Applications | SL | 4 |
| Group 6 | Psychology/SEHS | SL | 4 |
| Theory of Knowledge | D | 0 | |
| Extended Essay | D | ||
| Total Points | 27 | ||
| CAS | Not Completed |
This student would not be awarded an IB diploma due incomplete CAS requirements.