IB Diploma Program Requirements

Purpose

This newsletter is to provide some general information about the IB Diploma, the requirements, the benefits, and the challenges.

Any questions, please email LWilliams37@bcps.org

Requirements

The IB Diploma has a variety of requirements both academic and for personal development.

Minimum requirement is 24 points across subject exams. Students must take 3 SL and 3 HL exams OR 2SL and 4 HL exams.
Students do not earn an N due to non-submission of any exam or core component (CAS/ TOK/ EE).
Students must earn a D or better on both Extended Essay and TOK components.
Students may not earn a 1 in any exam.
Students may not have more than 2 scores of 2.
Students may not have more than 3 scores of a 3 or lower.
Students must earn a minimum of 12 points in HL exams.
Students must earn a minimum of 9 points in SL exams.
Completion of 18 months of CAS with evidence and reflections.

Exams

Students must complete the Internal Assessment and External Assessment for each of the 6 courses.

The overall score is a combination of both components and is given by the IB.

Students who do not reach 24 points are not eligible for the diploma.

Theory Of Knowledge (TOK)

What is required?

Students complete an exhibition connecting a prompt to real life example in order to showcase how TOK is exhibited in the real world.

Students complete an essay based on a prescribed title and explore all sides of the prompt. A reflection document is also required to be submitted.

My student turned in the required components. Now What??

The IB will score these components and the student must receive a passing grade in order to be eligible for the diploma.

Extended Essay (EE)

What is required?

Students develop a question to research and explain. There are check points built into the seminar and TOK courses over Junior and Senior years to support essay development. The maximum word count is 4000 words, short essays rarely receive passing grades. Students must meet with their EE supervisor 3 times and should take the feedback very seriously.

My student turned in the required components. Now What??

The IB will score the essay. A passing score is required in order to be eligible for the IB Diploma.

Bonus Points

Up to 3 bonus points can be awarded for exceptional scores on the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.

CAS

What is required?

18 months of reflection on experiences in the strands of creativity, activity, and service. Reflection style must vary, and the strands must be relatively equally used. Monthly review of reflections occurs by the coordinator and feedback is sent to the student to make edits.

A one month project designed and executed by the student in one strand (C/A/S) of CAS.

My student turned in the required components. Now What??

The coordinator will review the final portfolio to ensure that all learning outcomes are met, the reflections vary in style, 18 months of evidence is provided.

Benefits

The IB Program is the most rigorous academic program available and provides students with the resources to prepare for college. The program focuses on reading, writing, and research while building on those skills as well as skills like note-taking.

Students have a higher acceptance rate into colleges and universities and receive academic scholarships.

Students also receive additional supports during high school to navigate the college and scholarship application processes.

Acceptance Rate Information at the Top 25 US Schools

Individual College Credit Information

Challenges

The rigor of the program requires time spent outside of school and requires time management skills for each student. Coach classes and homework are necessary for student success.

The IB Diploma is not guaranteed to each student who sits for exams, however the skills built throughout the year support higher level thinking.

Course Candidacy

If your student finds the full program to be too overwhelming, they can drop levels in select subjects to be able to balance the workload. Students then would not be eligible for the full IB Diploma but would be able to earn credits for each exam that they score well in. Credits are awarded differently at each school as there is not one global policy for credits.