Getting you Acquainted with International Baccalaureate (IB)

Many years ago, the only option for high achieving and international students preparing for bigger and better education opportunities was IGCSE. Today there are many options, including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate program.

In this post, we look at the now much respected International Baccalaureate (IB), its merits, tips for choosing the program, and of course, the curriculum structure.

But first…

What is International Baccalaureate?

This is an education program taught now in 150 countries across the world. It is a holistic approach to education that aims to nurture intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills.

According to the IB organization, this program teaches students to ‘think critically and independently’ and inquire with care and logic. The best IB schools aim to complement your local curriculum instead of sidelining it. Depending on how old your child is, IB has four age-targeted programs that stand on their own, so you don’t have to complete one to go to the other.

Primary Years Program: Ages 3 to 12 years old
Middle Years Program: Ages 11 to 16 years old
Diploma Program: Ages 16 to 19 years old
Careers-Related Program: Ages 16 to 19 years old

IB Structure

The subjects in the IB program are divided into six groups. You must do one subject from group 1-5 and choose one subject from group six or any other group as the sixth subject. If the students wish, they can do more than these six subjects at higher levels.

Group 1 – Studies in Language and Literature: These are taken in your native language and can focus on literature or a combination of language and literature.
Group 2 – Language Acquisition: This will be your second language. It’s usually a modern language like French, Spanish or German, but it can also be Latin or Classical Greek.
Group 3 – Individuals and Societies: these are humanities, including Business and Management, Economics, Geography, Global Politics, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Social and Cultural Anthropology, World Religion, and others.
Group 4 – Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and Design Technology.
Group 5 – Mathematics:
Mathematical Studies, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics.
Group 6 – The Arts: Music, Theatre, Dance, Film, and Visual Arts. These are optional, so a student can choose to study another subject from the other groups instead.

In addition to the six subjects you will choose, you must also complete three core elements to broaden your skills and experience;

Theory of knowledge. IB focuses on educating students to think independently, as opposed to filling their heads with regurgitated information. In so doing, the theory of knowledge is a critical part of the program to enable students to understand how we learn and how to apply that knowledge in the real world.
The Extended Essay. This is a 4000-word study on a subject of your choice. You can do in-depth research on any of the six subjects.
Creativity, Activity, Service. This is the program’s social aspect where a student must participate in challenging activities related to these areas.

Assessment

Students will sit for exams for each of their chosen six subjects. Each subject gets a grade between 1 and 7 while the Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay will contribute three extra marks to your total score. The passing score for the class is 24 marks or above.

IB Merits

Universities and colleges hold IB in high regard. IB diploma holders are accepted in the best universities around the world. What’s more, universities will give you credit or waive your GED requirement.
IB encourages a global perspective because you must master a foreign language and learn about other people’s cultures and systems.
It trains a child to think independently and do their own research and due diligence before partaking in anything.
Unlike AP and most other curriculums, IB offers more in terms of education because students don’t just memorize answers for tests. You have to do research, write essays, and participate in real-life activities to get the full experience.

Is International Baccalaureate a Good Fit for You?

Since IB is a vigorous and specialized learning program, it’s not suitable for everyone. Before you enroll in a World IB school, you must consider the following;

Your learning style. Your learning style will play a considerable part when making this decision. IB is more suited for students who use logic and reasoning to learn and also prefer learning as a group. Students who love writing and research will also find IB to be quite interesting. If your learning style is solitary or you learn best using images, music, or touch, you might want to reconsider.
Your end goal. An IB diploma is the best way to a good college. But if that is your only motivation, AP is a better option because it’s less rigorous. IB is designed for students who want to challenge themselves, the status quo, and gain personal and academic growth.

There are now 5263 schools in the world that offer IB programs, including the diploma. Students looking to develop their world understanding and challenge themselves will benefit greatly from this program. It also unlocks excellent education and career opportunities in the future.

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