What are the requirements for IB?

IB Diploma Point Requirements

• Answer:

  The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a rigorous, college preparatory program. Many universities allow students who have graduated with an IB diploma to skip the foundational year of university studies, and begin taking sophomore-level classes. To receive this diploma, however, IB students need to meet various demands and maintain a certain grade-point average for each course they take. The IB explains these requirements in the "General Regulations: Diploma Programme" document, which is updated each year. The requirements listed in this article are based on the 2011 edition of the document. Total Point Requirements An IB diploma student must take six subjects for a period of two years. At the end of the second year, the final exams for each subject will be externally assessed. The grades of official internal assessments, as well as the externally assessed grades will determine the student's final grade average for each subject. The IB uses a seven-point scale, with seven being the highest grade awarded for each subject. To graduate with the IB diploma, students need to reach a minimum of 24 points from their subject grades. HL and SL Subject Points The IB Diploma Programme offers Higher Level (HL) subjects and Standard Level (SL) subjects. HL subjects are more demanding, requiring more hours of instruction and different assessments than the SL subjects. To graduate from the Diploma Programme, students need to take three HL subjects and three SL subjects, or four HL and two SL subjects. Point requirements for graduation differ between the two levels. Students need to have a minimum of three points awarded for each HL subject, and a minimum of two points for each SL subject. Altogether, their points still need to reach the required total of 24. Extended Essay and TOK In addition to subject point requirements, IB Diploma Programme students need to complete an additional course titled "Theory of Knowledge" (TOK), and write an independent research essay called the "Extended Essay." Students receive a letter grade between A and E for the TOK course and their essay. They must receive a minimum of a D for both in order to graduate with their diploma, according to the usual standards. As an exception, a student who has received an E in either TOK or the essay, and a D or higher for the other, may graduate if her subject point total is 28 or above, rather than 24. Other Requirements All Diploma Programme students also need to participate in the Community Action Service (CAS) program in order to obtain their diploma. Students looking to receive a bilingual diploma need to receive a three or above in either two "Group 1" (native tongue) language subjects or in a subject studied in a second language. Students who fail to meet the minimum point requirements for their diploma can still receive certificates showing their performance results in the courses they passed.