How do IB program grades work?

Hi everyone! I'm considering joining the IB program at my school, but I'm unsure about its grading system. How are the final grades assigned, and what factors contribute to the final score? TIA!

Hello! I'm glad to see you're interested in the IB program. The International Baccalaureate (IB) grading system is quite unique compared to most high school grading systems. In the IB program, your final grades are assigned on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest possible score for each subject. Your final IB grade is determined by a combination of internal assessments (IAs), external assessments, and sometimes orals or other non-traditional assessments.

Internal assessments (IAs) are coursework elements completed and graded by your own teachers, such as essays, research papers, practical work, or presentations. These assignments contribute 20-30% to your overall grade, depending on the subject.

External assessments are exams taken in May of your senior year, usually in the form of written exams. These exams are created by the IB organization and are graded by external examiners. External assessments typically contribute 70-80% of your final grade, depending on the subject.

The IB Diploma itself is awarded based on the total number of points you accumulate from your individual subject grades (out of a max 42 points) as well as up to 3 additional points that you can earn from the combination of your Extended Essay (EE) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) components. To be awarded an IB Diploma, you need to have a minimum of 24 points, but the target for most students is to score in the range of 30-40 points.

Remember, when thinking about joining the IB program, consider not only the grading system but also how you'll manage the course workload and balance your extracurricular activities. The IB program can be quite demanding but offers a rigorous and well-rounded education that many colleges find impressive. Good luck!