Finishing 10th grade means choosing your final curriculum for high school. You have the IBDP, A-Levels, AP, and even your country’s national curriculum; there are many options to choose from. If the IBDP is one of your main choices right now, it’s important to know as much as you can about the program.
From its level of rigor to its requirements, many pre-IB students and parents still have uncertainties about what the IBDP promises. Is the program too challenging? Does it prepare you well for university? What makes this program unique? Questions like these often arise. Inaccurate answers to these inquiries can make decision-making much harder than it already is.
If you still have some doubts, fret not! To ensure you’re all set to enter the IBDP, let's explore some common beliefs about the program and uncover the truth behind them!
#1: IB is purely exam-based, with no written assessments prior. Fact or myth?
Answer: Myth!
IB markings consist of both external and internal assessments. The external assessments are each subject’s final examinations. Like how it works in other curriculums, these exams are graded by certified IB examiners.
The internal assessments set the IB apart from other programs. Often known as IAs, these assessments are graded by your subject teacher before being moderated by the IB. For most non-language subjects, students are required to write a research paper on a sub-topic within the subject. In the languages, students are instead tested through an oral exam.
This is one of the crucial facts one should know before choosing the IB. A mixed curriculum system does not fit everyone. Some people are very good with exam-taking, but less confident in completing written tasks, making this program less suitable for them. Thus, students must consider their preferences and how well they align with the IB’s vision.
#2: Aside from 6 subjects, IB students must fulfill other core components. Fact or myth?
Answer: Fact!
There’s more to the IB Diploma Programme beyond your 6 selected subjects. The DP core comprises 3 compulsory core components. These are:
- Theory of knowledge (TOK): A subject where students evaluate how they know what they know through a set of themes and areas of knowledge
- Extended essay (EE): An assessment requiring students to write a 4000-word research paper on one self-selected subject
- Creativity, activity, service (CAS): A component that encourages students to undergo interpersonal development through extracurricular activities
These core components tie all your DP subjects together into one cohesive course. While these certainly add more work to your plate, they also complement the quality of your IB learning experience.
#3: IB results are graded on a fixed grading threshold that never changes. Fact or myth?
Answer: Myth!
The IB grading threshold changes every year! It all depends on the difficulty of the paper and the overall performance of the global IB cohort. Some describe the IB grading system as a ‘bell curve’; points are standardized to meet a normal distribution, with more students scoring average marks and fewer scoring low or high marks. This can be seen in the graph below:
As such, students can’t exactly predict their score using the previous year’s thresholds. Especially with how all marks are scaled to a 45-point total as opposed to 100, there’s always an extent of variability in conversions each year.
#4: IB students have higher acceptance rates into top universities. Fact or myth?
Answer: Fact!
Statistically, taking the IB can boost your chances for university admissions! As found through a survey by the International Insight Research Group and the International Baccalaureate Organisation, IB students experience a 22% higher acceptance rate at top-ranked universities on average!
This advantage comes from the globally recognized difficulty of the IBDP. With higher level (HL) subjects and other core requirements, IB students are trained for higher education through a challenging interdisciplinary learning system. It is a known fact to admissions officers that completing the program requires great dedication and perseverance.
Of course, higher acceptance rates don’t exactly mean automatic acceptance. Your final mark matters as well. A 40+ grade will be seen much more favorably as opposed to lower grades. Additionally, some universities also want to see a strong extracurricular record.
#5: If you take the IB, you won't have a life outside studying for 2 years. Fact or myth?
Answer: Myth!
Before starting the IB program, I thought my 2 years would just be filled with endless studying.
In reality, I was still able to attend my friends’ sweet 17th parties, join competitions, and lead student organizations. It’s undeniable that the program’s design will keep you busy with exams and reviews. However, using proper time management techniques, you can mix other activities into your IB life.
In fact, doing things besides studying is important! Remember that completing the IBDP requires you to complete CAS, which involves participating in or creating experiences related to creativity, physical activity, or service. Universities also want to see applicants with social skills, which are impossible to develop without spending time with others. Life in IB won’t be so bleak as long as you have a strategy to balance out all your activities.
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Now that you’ve debunked some of IB’s biggest myths, you’re on the right path to choosing the best curriculum for you!
Ultimately, the IBDP gives you a mix of both academic and non-academic development, through its comprehensive subject syllabuses and the DP core which unites all your subjects. Knowing the facts about the program will help you make an informed decision.
As you weigh your options, consider how well each curriculum meets your study goals. Beyond what you’ve discovered here, don’t forget to scour other articles on our blog to find out more about what IB (and other possible programs) have in store!
Stay curious and keep exploring!
