DIPLOMA PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT

Philosophy

The International Baccalaureate (IB) assesses student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the Diploma Programme courses.

The Diploma Programme goals provide students with:

  • A broad and balanced, yet academically demanding, programme of study
  • The development of critical-thinking and reflective skills
  • The development of research skills
  • The development of independent learning skills
  • The development of intercultural understanding
  • A globally recognized university entrance qualification.

Diploma Programme assessment procedures measure the extent to which students have mastered advanced academic skills in fulfilling these goals, for example:

  • Analysing and presenting information
  • Evaluating and constructing arguments
  • Solving problems creatively

Basic skills are also assessed, including:

  • Retaining knowledge
  • Understanding key concepts
  • Applying standard methods

In addition to academic skills, Diploma Programme assessment encourages an international outlook and intercultural skills where appropriate.

Assessment tasks are designed to support and encourage good classroom teaching and learning.

Student results are determined by performance against set standards, not by each
student's position in the overall rank order.

METHODS

A variety of different methods are used to measure student achievement against the objectives for each course.

External Assessment

Examinations form the basis of the assessment for most courses because of their high levels of objectivity and reliability. They include:

  • Essays
  • Structured problems
  • Short-response questions
  • Data-response questions
  • Text-response questions
  • Case-study questions
  • Multiple-choice questions (limited use of these)

There are also a small number of other externally assessed pieces of work, for example, a Theory of Knowledge essay, an Extended Essay and world literature assignments. These are completed by students over an extended period under
teacher supervision instead of examination conditions, and are then marked by external examiners.

Internal Assessment

Teacher assessment is also used for most courses. This includes :

  • Oral work in languages
  • Fieldwork in geography
  • Laboratory work in the sciences
  • Investigations in mathematics
  • Artistic performances

Assessments are checked by external examiners and normally contribute between 20 and 30 per cent of the final grade.

Some of the arts courses, for example, music, theatre arts and visual arts, have assessment of a major practical component, which can account for as much as 50 per cent of the final grade.

HOW DO I GET THE DIPLOMA ?

Unlike many curricula, the IB requires the students to do well in all subjects plus the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS to pass. Each of the six subjects is marked on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). 3 extra points can be obtained from the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.

To gain the diploma students must score 24 or more points, out of a maximum of 45 points. Assessment is a combination of continual evaluations over the two-year period plus a final examination in May of Year 13.
IB Points A Level Equivalent

IB Points           A Level Equivalent

40 - 45             5.4 - 6.5 A levels at ‘A' grade

35 - 39             4.5 - 5.3 A levels at ‘A' grade

30 - 34            3.5 - 4.3 A levels at ‘A' grade

24 - 29            2.3 - 3.3 A levels at ‘A' grade