How does the IB diploma programme work, what age is it for, what are the IB subjects...? We answer all the most frequently asked questions!
The IB or International Baccalaureate Diploma, is a globally unified education system. While each country offers its own education system (here in Spain we have The Spanish Baccalaureate and the UK has the A-LEVELS), the IB Diploma Programme is created to offer a diploma that is valid for all countries.
So why is the IB programme so famous? Apart from the evidence that it is valid in more than 70 countries, with the premise of securing you entry to the best universities of the world, it is because The IB Diploma is one of the best and most complete educational programs. If you ask any student who has studied or is studying IB, their answer would certainly not be that it is easy. The IB provides very in-depth subject knowledge, so the demands are very high.
This very complete curriculum has become so popular that many universities, when selecting students, take into account who has taken the IB, as it is a highly recognised diploma.
In Spain there is an increasing demand for the IB, but the problem, as in most cases, is misinformation and lack of knowledge. Many parents and students don’t even know about the system, and if they do, they don’t even know the main issues.
For this reason, and because we at TutorASAP are happy to explain it, we are going to answer the most frequently asked questions about the IB: IB FAQs.
WHO IT'S AIMED AT?
The IB Diploma is aimed at students between the ages of 16 and 19. What does this mean? For example, for students in the Spanish system who want to do the IB, it would mean finishing the E.S.O. and then, instead of doing the Spanish bachillerato, doing the IB. Of course, you would have to look for a school that offers this certificate, whether it is a public, private or international school.
Normally the IB student profile corresponds to a person who wants to have a complete and international curriculum to enable them to have a quality and exceptional future.
WHAT SUBJECTS DOES IB HAVE?
As we say, the IB is quite comprehensive. The programme has up to 6 branches or groups of knowledge with their respective subjects. As the IB aims for the student to be a skilled and knowledgeable student in many fields, it obliges the student to take a course/subject for each group except for the arts group. To explain it better:
GROUP 1. Language and Literature Studies (one compulsory subject from here).
GROUP 2. Language Acquisition (another compulsory subject from here)
GROUP 3. Individuals and Societies (one compulsory)
GROUP 4. Science (one compulsory)
GROUP 5. Mathematics (one compulsory)
GROUP 6. Arts (here it is NOT compulsory to take one, which we do not particularly agree with, as it is undervalued with the rest of the branches).
In other words, there would be 5 compulsory subjects (courses), plus one extra non-compulsory subject from the arts branch or from any of the first 5 branches. SUMMARY: In total there would be a total of 6.
WHAT ARE HL AND SL SUBJECTS?
The HL subjects are the High Level, that is to say, the higher level, those that cover more knowledge and level, more in-depth, let’s say. As for the SL subjects, they are the Standard Level, i.e. the medium level, which do not go into as much depth as the others.
More or less of the 6 subjects in total that you have to choose for the IB, half would be HL and half SL, although there are exceptions, as with everything.
The difference also lies in the number of teaching hours: while the HL courses are 240 hours, the SL courses are 150 hours.
SUBJECTS GROUP
GROUP 1: LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE STUDIES
In this group, the pupil studies one main language of his/her choice, usually the mother tongue (let’s call it Language A), and chooses at least one of these subjects as a compulsory subject:
Language A: Literature.
Language A: Language and Literature.
Literature and Theatre Performance (interdisciplinary subject): available in English, Spanish and French.
GROUP 2: LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
This group is based on the study of an additional language in terms of culture, knowledge, grammar, etc. of the language. It would be the study of a complementary language.
Choose a compulsory one:
Modern languages (French, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish).
Classical languages (Greek and Latin).
GROUP 3: INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETIES
Based on studies that understand human beings as social beings, their historical, economic, cultural, etc. context. Subjects available (choose one compulsory subject):
Social and Cultural Anthropology
Economics
Business and Management
Philosophy
Geography
Global Politics
History
Psychology
World Religions (NM)
Information Technology in a Global Society
GROUP 4: SCIENCES
Biology
Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Physics
Computer Science
Chemistry
Design Technology
Environmental Systems and Societies
GROUP 5: MATHEMATICS
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation
GROUP 6: ARTS
Students are NOT obliged to choose a subject from this group. In order to take the 6 subjects in total, the student can either freely choose one from this group or choose one from the previous group, being able to take two from the same group (groups 1 to 5).
We do not particularly agree with this, as it discredits this branch of knowledge in relation to the others.
Dance
Music
Cinema
Theatre
Visual arts
PROJECTS: THE BIG HEADACHE FOR MANY STUDENTS
The three horsemen of the apocalypse for many students are the papers that have to be done independently of the 6 subjects:
T.O.K. or Theory of Knowledge.
The monograph or Extended Essay
CAS: Creativity, Activity and Service.
In addition to the Internal Assessment, which is specific to each subject, a paper that must be done for each subject except languages and language (therefore they will have to do less than 6 and this is what they usually ask for help with the most).
The thing about IB assignments and projects is that they require a lot of professionalism, maturity and depth. They are practically university jobs, which means that thanks to them they already have a basis for doing more adult projects for their university and working life. It gives them a plus and a unique learning experience.
We will do a specific post to explain what the projects consist of, answer typical questions such as how long they take to do, how they are done and planned, etc.
At TutorASAP we receive a lot of students asking about the T.O.K and the Internal Assessment especially. Our guarantee? We have been helping IB students for over 20 years with teachers who are experts in this system, so we have plenty of experience to help students get through it all.
Do you have any doubts? Do you need to talk to someone who really knows the subject? Don’t worry, give us a call or write to us and we’ll talk to you without any obligation, come and tell us about your case!
What? PRIVATE tuition to prepare students for IB projects such as the IA Internal Assessment or the T.O.K.
How? At TutorASAP we design a specific and individualised programme for the student’s needs, bringing out their maximum potential thanks to our T.E.O.K. algorithm.
When? You choose. Customised timetables to be defined.
Where? At our centre in Plaza Castilla, in a perfect central location in Madrid, or online (live streaming with the teacher).
Why with us? Because our tutors are not just any teachers: they are true experts in teaching specifically for IB projects and assignments. What characterises us is that we get students to produce mature, exquisite and well-planned projects.
The most demanded – 10 hours.
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