IB Summary

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year, academically rigorous qualification for students aged 16–19, recognised worldwide by universities and employers.

Students take six subjects across different groups, alongside the IB core components:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – critical thinking about knowledge.

  
  

• Extended Essay (EE) – a 4,000-word independent research project.

  
  

• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – personal development beyond the classroom.

The IB encourages breadth across disciplines while allowing students to build depth in areas of interest, such as the humanities.

The Six Subject Groups

Every IB student must study six subjects, one from each group (with some flexibility):

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature

Your best language (often your first/native language).

Options: Language A: Literature, Language A: Language & Literature, or Literature & Performance.

Group 2: Language Acquisition

A second language (modern or classical).

Options: Language B (for learners with prior experience), Language ab initio (for beginners), or Classical Languages (Latin, Classical Greek).

Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Humanities)

Options include History, Geography, Economics, Global Politics, Philosophy, Social & Cultural Anthropology, Business Management, Psychology, World Religions.

Group 4: Sciences

Options include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Environmental Systems & Societies (interdisciplinary with Group 3), Design Technology, Sports/Exercise/Health Science.

Group 5: Mathematics

Two routes:

Analysis & Approaches (AA): more theoretical, suits students who enjoy algebra and abstract math.

Applications & Interpretation (AI): more practical, suits students interested in statistics, modelling, and applied contexts.

Each can be taken at Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL).

Group 6: The Arts (or another subject from Groups 1–4)

Options: Visual Arts, Music, Theatre, Dance, Film.

Or, if you don’t want an arts subject, you can choose an extra subject from Group 1 (Languages), Group 3 (Humanities), or Group 4 (Sciences).

Subject Level Requirements

Three subjects at Higher Level (HL) – more in-depth, taught over ~240 hours.

Three subjects at Standard Level (SL) – taught over ~150 hours.

All students must complete TOK, EE, and CAS (the Core).

Flexibility

While you must cover all six groups, you can tailor your choices:

• A STEM-oriented student might take two sciences and higher-level math, dropping Group 6 arts.

  
  

• A Humanities-oriented student might take two Group 3 subjects instead of Group 6.

  
  

• An Arts-oriented student might choose HL Visual Arts plus another Group 6 subject if their school offers it.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

What it is:

TOK is about asking: How do we know what we know? You’ll explore knowledge across disciplines, think about perspectives, and connect ideas to real-world examples.

Tips for success:

• Engage with curiosity – link TOK concepts to your daily life, current events, and subjects you study.

  
  

• Collect examples early – real-life cases strengthen your essay and exhibition. Keep a TOK “examples journal.”

  
  

• Practice critical questioning – don’t accept knowledge claims at face value; ask “Whose perspective? What evidence? What assumptions?”

  
  

• Prepare for assessments – for the essay, brainstorm multiple approaches before settling on an argument. For the exhibition, choose objects that truly interest you.

  
  

• Common pitfalls to avoid:

• Being too descriptive instead of analytical.

  
  

• Forgetting to compare perspectives across disciplines.

  
  

• Leaving the essay until the last minute.

Extended Essay (EE)

What it is:

A 4,000-word independent research project on a topic you choose. Think of it as your first taste of university-style academic writing.

Tips for success:

• Pick a subject you enjoy – you’ll spend months with this project.

  
  

• Narrow your question – the best essays are focused. Instead of “The Cold War,” ask “To what extent did the Cuban Missile Crisis shift US foreign policy towards Latin America?”

  
  

• Plan backwards – set mini-deadlines (research finished, outline complete, first draft done) well before the final deadline.

  
  

• Use your supervisor wisely – they can’t write it for you, but they can keep you on track and help refine your research.

  
  

• Polish presentation – use correct citations and follow formatting guidelines.

  
  

• Common pitfalls to avoid:

  
  

  • Choosing a topic that’s too broad or outside the syllabus.

  • Neglecting analysis (just describing facts).

  • Missing out on referencing, which risks plagiarism.

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

What it is:

CAS is about learning by doing. It pushes you beyond academics to develop creativity, physical activity, and social responsibility.

Tips for success:

• Choose meaningful projects – pick activities you’ll enjoy and that challenge you. For example:

  
  

• Creativity: design a podcast, paint a mural, or start a photography blog.

  
  

• Activity: join a sports team, organise hikes, or lead yoga sessions.

  
  

• Service: volunteer in your community, run tutoring sessions, or join a charity drive.

  
  

• Mix short and long projects – balance small, one-off experiences with sustained commitments.

  
  

• Document regularly – reflect on what you’ve learned, not just what you did.

  
  

• Link to IB Learner Profile – show growth in attributes like being reflective, principled, or caring.

  
  

• Common pitfalls to avoid:

  
  

  • Treating CAS as a “tick-box” exercise instead of genuine learning.

  • Forgetting to keep evidence — photos, journals, supervisor comments.

  • Leaving all your hours to the end of Year 2.

    
    

Balancing TOK, EE, and CAS

• Start early – draft your EE question in Year 1, collect TOK examples as you go, and begin CAS projects right away.

  
  

• Stay organised – use a planner or digital app to track deadlines and reflections.

  
  

• Connect the Core – CAS experiences can inspire TOK exhibitions, and your EE topic may overlap with your subjects. The more you link them, the easier it becomes.

  
  

• Ask for feedback – teachers and supervisors are there to support you.

  
  

• Keep perspective – the Core isn’t just about points; it’s about becoming a stronger thinker, researcher, and global citizen.

Assessment and Grading

Each subject is graded on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest).

TOK and EE together contribute up to 3 additional points.

The maximum possible score is 45 points (6 subjects × 7 = 42 + 3 bonus points).

To be awarded the Diploma, students must:

Achieve at least 24 points overall.

Complete the Core (TOK, EE, CAS).

Meet distribution and level requirements (3 HLs, 3 SLs, subjects across groups).

Skills Developed

The IB Diploma is designed to develop a broad set of academic and personal skills, including:

• Critical Thinking – through TOK and essay-based assessments.

  
  

• Research Skills – through the Extended Essay and Internal Assessments (IAs).

  
  

• Time Management & Organisation – balancing multiple subjects and Core components.

  
  

• Global Awareness – through diverse subject content and international perspectives.

  
  

• Collaboration & Communication – via CAS, group projects, and classroom discussion.

University Recognition

The IB Diploma is widely recognised by top universities worldwide. Many universities:

• Value the IB for its academic rigour and breadth.

  
  

• Offer advanced standing or course credits for high scores in HL subjects.

  
  

• Consider the IB Core (especially the EE and TOK) excellent preparation for degree-level study.

  
  

Benefits of the IB

• Breadth and balance: Students keep options open by studying a range of disciplines.

  
  

• Depth: HL subjects allow for specialisation.

  
  

• Preparation for higher education: Research, writing, and independent study skills mirror university demands.

  
  

• Personal growth: CAS and the Learner Profile build resilience, creativity, and social responsibility.

  
  

• Global recognition: Universities and employers worldwide respect the IB Diploma.

  
  

Challenges of the IB

• Workload: Balancing six subjects plus the Core requires strong organisation.

  
  

• Time management: Internal Assessments, EE, and CAS all need sustained commitment.

  
  

• Academic demand: The IB is rigorous, and students must be ready for challenging assessments.

With the right support and planning, however, these challenges become opportunities for growth.

Conclusion

The IB Diploma Programme is more than just a qualification — it is a holistic education that develops critical thinkers, effective communicators, and globally minded citizens. Its combination of breadth, depth, and Core components makes it one of the most respected pre-university programmes in the world.