You have probably heard of the IB Programme or the IB Diploma in various contexts. In this article, we will go through some of the most common questions.
What is the IB Diploma Programme?
To start with, the IB Diploma is designed for high school students (aged 16 to 19) and the acronym IB stands for International Baccalaureate. The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year high school curriculum that follows an international standard and is offered in English, Spanish, and French. It is administered by the Switzerland-based International Baccalaureate foundation (IBO). The main objective of the program is to provide students with the best possible preparation for university studies.
Which subjects can I take in the IB DP?
Students select one subject from each of the following six subject groups:
- Studies in Language and Literature (e.g., Language A, Literature, and Performance)
- Sciences (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Design Technology)
- Language Acquisition (e.g., Classical Languages, Language B)
- Individuals and Societies (e.g., Business Management, Economics, History)
- Mathematics (e.g., Analysis and Approaches, Applications and Interpretation)
- Arts (e.g., Dance, Film)
In addition to these subjects, students must complete the DP Core, which consists of:
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – A course focusing on critical thinking and the nature of knowledge.
- Extended Essay (EE) – An independent research paper.
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – A component designed to encourage engagement in extracurricular and community activities.
How are you evaluated?
Assessment consists of both internal evaluations by teachers and external assessments by IB examiners. Some examples of evaluated components include multiple-choice and extended-response questions, extended essays, written assignments, tasks, and scientific explorations and fieldwork.
The IB organization explains its grading process as follows:
“In the IB, marking and grading student work are two different actions. When work is marked, you are given credit for the work you have produced against a mark scheme or similar framework. Marks show how much of the assessment task you got right. The mark itself has no other meaning. In deciding a grade, the examiner is making a judgment on the quality of your work against a defined standard. This takes into account the difficulty of the task as well as the number of marks given. Grades have a particular meaning and relevance, and they are intended to be comparable with grades in other subjects.”
Can you fail an exam and still receive the Diploma?
Yes, it is possible. If you or your school believe that your results do not accurately reflect your knowledge, you may have options to retake exams or request a remark.
What are the benefits of the International Baccalaureate Diploma?
Like other IB programs, the IB Diploma Programme aims to develop critical thinking skills and the ability to handle complex problems. Each year, around 4,500 universities in 110 countries admit IB students. If you are curious about which universities accept IB applicants, you can explore this list of universities.
Some well-known universities in the United States that recognize the IB Diploma (or IB DP, commonly used by IB students) include:
- Cornell University
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
Which schools offer the Diploma?
There are nearly 5,800 schools in 162 countries that offer various IB programs, and approximately 3,000 of these schools provide the IB Diploma Programme. You can find all IB schools on the IB website. If you are curious on the student IB experience, read this blog post.
Popular IB schools in the USA?
At Educatius, we collaborate with many high schools that offer the IB Diploma, including schools in the USA. Find your dream IB school here. Among the most popular schools for the IB Diploma among our international students are:
- Foxcroft Academy, Maine
- Léman Manhattan Preparatory School, New York
- The Village School, Texas
- St. Andrew’s School, Rhode Island
AP Courses vs IB programme?
The presence of Advance Placement (AP) courses and/or an IB Diploma programme are indicators of a strong academic program at your desired school. In our article “AP Courses vs IB program?” we go through key differences. If you’re eager to learn more about top schools and their different specializations, we also have an article where you can learn more about STEM education.
Are you interested in studying at a high school in the USA that offers the IB Diploma? Talk to one of our IB experts!
