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The Diploma Programme in Practice

The IB Diploma Programme is open to ALL students grades 11 - 12, and ALL students are encouraged to participate whether they take just one DP course or pursue the full Diploma.

 

 

The Core

  • The Extended Essay (EE) asks students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the DP subjects they are studying.  The essay itself should be between 3,500 and 4,000 words and demonstrate about 40 hours of work.
  • Theory of Knowledge (TOK) develops a coherent approach to learning that unifies the academic disciplines. In this course on critical thinking, students inquire into the nature of knowing and deepen their understanding of knowledge as a human construction.
  • Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies throughout the Diploma Programme. Creativity encourages students to engage in the arts and creative thinking. Activity seeks to develop a healthy lifestyle through physical activity. Service with the community offers a vehicle for a new learning with academic value. The three strands of CAS enhance students’ personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning and enable journeys of self-discovery.

IB Pathways

Diploma Programme

Course Requirements:

  • At least three standard level (SL) and three higher level (HL) courses (or 4 HL, 2 SL)
  • One course from Groups 1—5, and a 6th subject from either Group 6 (The Arts) or any other group with the exception of Group 5 (Mathematics)

Core Requirements:

  • EE
  • CAS
  • TOK

Testing Requirements:

  • Earn a minimum of 24 points (each subject is graded on a 1-7 scale + a maximum of 3 points for the Core elements of the programme)

 

Honors CCP *

Course Requirements:

  • Take any combo of 3 IB classes

Core Requirements:

  • TOK
  • CAS

*No testing requirements.

Assessment

Students take written examinations in May of the culminating year of their course(s), which are marked by external IB examiners. Students also complete assessment tasks, which are either initially marked by teachers and then moderated by external moderators or sent directly to external examiners.

The marks awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). Students can also be awarded up to three additional points for their combined results on Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. The diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance across the whole programme and to satisfactory participation in the creativity, action, service requirement. The highest total that a Diploma Programme student can be awarded is 45 points.

Assessment is criterion-related, which means student performance is measured against pre-specified assessment criteria based on the aims and objectives of each subject curriculum, rather than the performance of other students taking the same examinations. The range of scores that students have attained remains statistically stable, and universities value the rigour and consistency of Diploma Program assessment practice.

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