IB Syllabus
About International Baccalaureate (IB)
IB is an international educational foundation founded in 1968 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It offers four types of educational programs: the IB Diploma Program and the IB Career-related Program for 15 to 18 years students, the IB Middle Years Program, for students between the age of 11 to 14, and the IB Primary Years Program for children of the age 3 to 12.
IB Assessment
The IB assesses student work as direct evidence of achievement against the goals of the Diploma Programme (DP) courses. Student results are determined by their performance and not by their position in the overall rank order. The IB uses both external and internal assessment in the DP.
External assessment - Examinations form the basis of the assessment for most courses. They include:
1. Essays
2. Structured problems
3. Short-response questions
4. Data-response questions
5. Text-response questions
6. Case-study questions
7. Multiple-choice questions – though these are rarely used.
Internal assessment - Teacher assessment is used for most courses. This includes:
1. Oral work in languages
2. Fieldwork in geography
3. Laboratory work in the sciences
4. Investigations in mathematics
5. Artistic performances.
IB Exam Syllabus
The IB curriculum consists of the DP core and six subject groups. Students are required to choose one subject from each group. They can take some subjects at higher level (HL) and some at standard level (SL).
Every student will have to take at least 3 (but not more than 4) subjects at higher level, and the rest at standard level. HL and SL courses are different in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors.
Standard level subjects require 150 teaching hours whereas higher level comprises of 240 teaching hours.
The three core elements are:
A. Theory of knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
B. The extended essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
C. Creativity, activity, service, in which students complete a project related to these three concepts.
The six subject groups are:
Studies in language and literature - Students will have to take at least one subject from studies in language and literature as part of DP. Taking two studies in language and literature in different languages will lead to obtaining a bilingual diploma. Students can take Studies in a language in which they are academically competent. This subject consists of three courses
- Language A: literature, which is available in 55 languages and, by special request, for any other that has sufficient written literature.
- Language A: language and literature, which is available in 17 languages.
- Literature and performance, which is available in English, and by special request in Spanish and French.
The aim of the Directive Programme through this course is to harness student's interest in language and literature, and a love for the richness of human expression.
Language acquisition - Students will have to study at least one subject from this group. Three subjects are available in this group to accommodate students interest.
- Language ab initio: Courses for beginners who have little or no previous experience of learning the language they have chosen. These courses are available at standard level.
- Language B courses are intended for students who have some previous experience of learning the language. They may be studied at either higher or standard level.
- Latin or Classical Greek coursework provides opportunities for students to study the language, literature and culture of ancient Rome or Greece.
Individuals and societies – Since, students are required to choose one subject from each group, hence they will have to choose one subject from Individuals and Societies. Subjects available in this group are as follows:
- Business Management
- Economics
- Geography
- Global politics
- History
- Information Technology in a Global Society
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Social and Cultural Anthropology
- World Religions (Standard Level only).
Science - Students will explore the concepts, theories, models and techniques in each subject area and through these develop their understanding of the scientific method. Subjects available in this group are as follows
- Biology
- Computer science
- Chemistry
- Design technology
- Physics
- Sports, Exercise and Health Science
- Environmental systems and societies
Mathematics – This course aims to develop mathematical knowledge, logical and creative thinking and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization in students. This course consists of 4 courses which are as follows
- Mathematical studies standard level
- Mathematics SL
- Mathematics higher level
- Further mathematics higher level
Arts – This subject allows a high degree of adaptability to different cultural contexts. There are five subjects available to students at higher level or standard level which are as follows:
- Dance
- Music
- Film
- Theatre
- Visual arts
IB Free Online Preparation For DP & MYP Level
Core Extended Essay
Course Companion
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Theory of Knowledge
Course Companion
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Language & Literature
Course Companion
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Language & Aquisition
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Individual & Societies
Business Management
Individual & Societies
Business Management