With the International Baccalaureate (IB)program it is possible for students to take college-level courses while still in high school. This is one of the advantages over other similar problems like Advanced Placement (AP) program. The details of IB, its characteristics and requirements are discussed below. You are required to get an IB diploma to get college credit for your IB classes.
This programme is originated in Switzerland in the late ‘60s. It works like a clockwork mechanism for which Swiss is known for. This diploma, accepted world over is not that elementary. This is the yardstick for entrance to the higher education arena globally.
To earn an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, your getting enrolled in an IB-approved school is the first step. IB does not coach directly. Essentially taking classes in six subjects are called for. Also, three additional core requirements are to be taken up. It is also not necessary that you take up the complete IB diploma classes. Instead, you can take up particular IB classes as dictated by respective policies laid down by the high schools.
IB and AP are quite similar in calculating the College or University credits.it is not necessary for you to obtain IB diploma to get credit for individual classes because the colleges allot course wise credits. IB classes come in two categories, i.e.) higher level (HL) and standard level (SL) formats.
There are few colleges who insist only on HL for admission the higher level classes. It is also possible to get a full waiver of the waiver of the general education requirements for students holding IB diploma. Those students can jump over to their majors straight away. You may browse the websites of the respective universities to get an idea of this aspect.
If you are planning to the best of the colleges at a later point of time, your IB curriculum can help you in getting there compared to the other general students. IB courses being interdisciplinary, calls for clear thinking and the ability to submit oral presentations and of course independent research.
Those armed with the full IB diploma are invariably proficient in a variety of tough subjects like Maths, English, languages, history, science and arts. They are better equipped to tackle college-level assignments. Taking IB is another way to prove that you have taken the most rigorous classes available to you. If you are holding an IB diploma, you can get credits in college courses. Even if you have not taken the full IB diploma, you are eligible for some proportional credits.
Incidentally, IB examinations are expensive with a price tag of $160 registration fee plus a $110 fee per exam. The blessing in disguise is that you won’t be paying through your nose for the college tuition fees. There are different financial packages available by the universities as well.
The Six Core Courses
To earn the full IB diploma, taking courses from six subjects is required. they are
One each from groups 1-5 and either one from groups 6 or a substitute from one of the other groups can be taken up.
The groups are divided as below:
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (most likely an English Literature course if you’re an American student)
Group 2: Language Acquisition (a foreign language course)
Group 3: Individuals and Societies (History, Economics, Geography, other social sciences)
Group 4: Experimental Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, other sciences)
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts (Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, etc.)
Between-Group 3 (Individuals and Societies History, Economics, Geography, other social sciences) and Group 4 (Experimental Sciences -Biology, Chemistry, Physics, other sciences) a higher level (HL) score are mandatory. For the rest at the “standard level” (SL) score to earn the diploma is needed. IB recommends a minimum of 150 hours for SL courses.
The sequence recommended by some schools is SL or AP version of a course first, followed by the HL version second, forming a two-year cycle. You might opt for AP English Literature as a junior, and then opt for Higher-Level IB English as a senior.
IB schools follow a 4-year pattern to enable students to be conversant with all aspects of the course in a systematic manner. Your struggling with the scheduling is thus avoided.
You are required to take up an IB exam for every subject mentioned above. The examination is scheduled in May or November depending on the geographical location.
Furthermore, each subject is assessed in two ways- externally and internally.
(The grading is by independent examiners like similar to AP exams.)
The internal assessments can include oral presentations, practical work (like a written lab report), or other written work.
IB Exams are measured from 1 to 7. ) 6 and seven considered an A) and anything 4 and up considered passing, though IB doesn’t set official passing grades. Most colleges give IB credit for scores of 5 and higher.
The three additional core requirements students must complete to earn an IB diploma are.
1. The Extended Essay – An independent research essay around 4,000 words and on a topic approved by IB is required.
2. Theory of Knowledge – This class is about the nature of knowledge and critical thinking and substantiated by a 1,600-word essay (to be graded externally)
3. Creativity, Action, Service – Students are to part take in an activity outside of class like Social service, Sports, or All creative activities.
More than often, the regular extracurricular activities and sports count for these hours.
1. The Basics | 4. Research | 7. Assessment |
2. Getting Started | 5. Writing Essay |
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3. Locating, Organising & Evaluating | 6. Supervision |
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1. Table of Content | 9. Language As a Way of Knowing | 17. Ethics |
2. Recognizing Perspective | 10. Emotions As a Way of Knowing | 18. History |
3. Gaining Knowledge | 11. Faith As a Way of Knowing | 19. The Human Science |
4. Seeking Truth | 12. Imagination | 20. Natural Science |
5. Exchanging Knowledge | 13. Intuition | 21. Mathematics |
6. Sense Perception As a Way of Knowing | 14. Ways of Knowing | 22. Indigenous Knowledge |
7. Memory As a Way of Knowing | 15. Shared Knowledge | 23. Religious Knowledge |
8. Reason As a Way of Knowing | 16. The Arts | 24. Assessment |
Decoding Theory of Knowledge | Hooder – Theory of Knowledge | Pearson – Theory of Knowledge |
Cambridge – Decoding Theory of Knowledge | Hooder – Theory Of Knowledge – Third Edition | Pearson – Theory Of Knowledge – Bastian, Kitching and Sims – Second Edition |
1. Introduction | 5. Language In Cultural Context | 9. Literature: Critical Study |
2. Thinking About Literature | 6. Assessment In Language In Cultural Context | 10. Assessment In Literature: Critical Study |
3. Thinking About Language | 7. Language & Mass Communication | 11. Literature: Text & Contexts |
4. Putting It All Together | 8. Assessment In Language & Mass Communication | 12. Assessment In Literature: Text & Context |
Oxford – English A Course Companion | Oxford – English A Literature | Pearson – English A Literature |
Oxford – English A Skills & Practice | Oxford – English A Skills & Practice |
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1. Introduction | 8. Global Issues | 15. Customs & Traditions |
2. Social Relationship | 9. Science & Technology | 16. Communication & Media |
3. Cultural Diversity | 10. Leisure | 17. Social Relationships |
4. Communication & Media | 11. Literature |
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5. Customs & Traditions | 12. Cultural Diversity |
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6. Health | 13. Social Relationship |
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7. Cultural Diversity | 14. Global Issues |
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Oxford – English B Course Companion | Oxford – English B Skills & Practice | Oxford – French B Course Companion |
Pearson – English B – Student Book |
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1. Introduction | 12. Source of Finance | 23. Production Management |
2. Organisation of Business | 13. Management Accounting | 24. Business Strategy |
3. Objectives, Stakeholders & External Environment | 14. Financial Account & Ratio Analysis | 25. Strategic Analysis |
4. Organisational Planning & Decision Making | 15. Role of Marketing | 26. Strategic Choice |
5. Growth & Impact of Globalization | 16. Marketing Planning | 27. Strategic Implementation |
6. Change & Management of Change | 17. Production Method | 28. Evaluation & Control |
7. Human Resource Planning | 18. Cost, Revenue & Break Even Analysis | 29. Case Studies on Strategy |
8. Organisational Structure & Communication | 19. Quality Assurance | 30. Internal Assessment |
9. Leadership Management | 20. Location | 31. Extended Essay |
10. Motivation | 21. Innovation | 32. External Assessment |
11. Corporate Culture & Employer Employee Relationship | 22. Production Planning |
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1. Introduction | 12. Source of Finance | 23. Production Management |
2. Organisation of Business | 13. Management Accounting | 24. Business Strategy |
3. Objectives, Stakeholders & External Environment | 14. Financial Account & Ratio Analysis | 25. Strategic Analysis |
4. Organisational Planning & Decision Making | 15. Role of Marketing | 26. Strategic Choice |
5. Growth & Impact of Globalization | 16. Marketing Planning | 27. Strategic Implementation |
6. Change & Management of Change | 17. Production Method | 28. Evaluation & Control |
7. Human Resource Planning | 18. Cost, Revenue & Break Even Analysis | 29. Case Studies on Strategy |
8. Organisational Structure & Communication | 19. Quality Assurance | 30. Internal Assessment |
9. Leadership Management | 20. Location | 31. Extended Essay |
10. Motivation | 21. Innovation | 32. External Assessment |
11. Corporate Culture & Employer Employee Relationship | 22. Production Planning |
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1. Introduction | 13. Market Failure | 25. Balance of Payment |
2. Foundation of Economics | 14. Overall Economic Activity | 26. Terms of Trade |
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