Since early 2017, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme has been offered at hundreds of American high schools. And students can reap many benefits from the IB curriculum, including potential college credit, rigorous coursework and a world-class education. Accessing these benefits, however, also requires completing numerous assessments that do not always match standard high school tests.
If you will soon be starting down the IB path, here are four common questions you may have and the answers to them.
[Discover the differences between AP and IB classes.]
1. What types of assessment will I encounter in a single IB course? The average high school class consists of a cumulative score that is derived from class participation, exams, homework, projects and quizzes. Your teacher completes the associated grading.
In IB classes, however, student assessment involves a more complicated formula. The heart of IB assessment is a written exam administered near the end of each course.
Test specifics vary by subject, but the assessment is often centered around two or three papers — your answers to essay questions; structured problems; case-study questions; or short-, data- or text-response questions — that are written on subsequent days. Multiple-choice questions are very rare.
[Read these three considerations before enrolling in a first IB course.]
In the IB system, this exam is referred to as external assessment because external reviewers — who are not your teacher — grade your work. Taken together, these external assessments typically count for 75 to 80 percent of your final grade, though this number may be lower in certain instances.
An additional component of your grade is derived from internal assessments, such as lab work in the science courses, conducted throughout the course. The course teacher generally assigns and grades these internal assessments, though may also review them.
Internal assessments vary according to course type. In biology, for example, internal assessment accounts for 20 percent of a student’s grade and involve an individual investigation.
2. How are end-of-year IB exams scored? End-of-year IB tests are graded according to how well your exam demonstrates mastery of the stated course objectives. The criteria for each class is identical — regardless of where you register for it.
Grading is conducted by a team of experts whose work is closely monitored to ensure that assessment is consistent between students. You can also review the detailed description of the IB exam grading philosophy and process.
IB tests are administered over several weeks in May and November, with May results available on July 5 and November results available on Jan. 5. This schedule means that college admissions decisions are made before senior-year May exam results are released.
[Discover five ways to prepare for IB success.]
3. How does the diploma program work? In the IB diploma program, each IB course is scored on a scale from one to seven, with seven representing the highest mark possible. Students in the program typically take six courses and must also complete the theory of knowledge; extended essay; and creativity, action, service requirements.
To receive a diploma, a student must accumulate at least 24 points across all classes. Higher level and standard level courses count equally.
Students can gain up to three additional points from the extended essay and theory of knowledge components, but all three of the above requirements must be completed satisfactorily for you to earn a diploma — even if you receive sevens in all of your classes.
Consider these statistics. In 2015, roughly 1 percent of students scored a perfect 45 points, including three bonus points. Note, too, that some 400 students accumulated 24 points or more but did not receive their diplomas.
4. How can I prepare for the different assessments? In addition to taking advantage of sample assessments, some of the best ways to prepare for IB assessments are to stay current on course material and study the syllabus carefully.
During some standard high school courses, you can move on from material after you’ve been tested on it. In IB classes, material may appear on a mid-year internal assessment, as well as on the end-of-year exam.
When preparing, do not solely prioritize the most recently covered content — everything you discuss throughout the course will matter.
Your syllabus is also extremely valuable in predicting the material that will be covered on assessments. Feel free to ask your teacher which parts of the class apply to each point on the syllabus if it is not immediately obvious.
Finally, consider visiting online communities for advice as well. Other students have survived this process before you — learn from them.
More from U.S. News
Master Key Skills on the Redesigned SAT Math Section
Use Your PreACT, PSAT Performance to Choose a College Entrance Exam
3 Preparation Strategies for the SAT U.S. History Subject Test
4 Common Questions, Answers About IB Assessments originally appeared on usnews.com
