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International Baccalaureate (IB) Program FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About the IB Diploma Program at Saigon South International School- What are the requirements for a student wanting to pursue a full IB diploma?
- What is a certificate candidate?
- If I attend SSIS, am I required to take IB courses?
- How should a student decide whether to take the IB diploma or the IB certificates? What benefits come from taking IB courses, but not the diploma?
- What are the requirements for TOK?
- What are the requirements for CAS (Creativity, Action, Service)?
- What is the extended essay?
- If I start IB classes in grade 11, do I have to continue in grade 12?
- What do universities think about the IB?
- Is the IB Program only for top students?
- How are IB courses assessed?
- If I am in grade 8 or 9, how should I prepare for the IB?
1. What are the requirements for a student wanting to pursue a full IB diploma?
Six subjects (see below)
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
Extended Essay
Of the six subjects, three are usually taken at higher level and three at standard level. One subject must be taken from each group below:
GROUP ONE: Language A-1
At SSIS, this is English. Students can opt for either English HL or English
SL
GROUP TWO: A second language
SSIS offers the following courses in Spanish and Mandarin:
Language B SL/HL (a second language that has been studied for several years)
Language ab initio SL (a second language that is newly begun as part of the
IB program)
GROUP THREE: Individuals and Societies
History SL/HL
Economics SL/HL
Geography SL/HL
GROUP FOUR: The Sciences
Chemistry SL/ HL
Physics SL/ HL
Biology SL/HL
GROUP FIVE: Mathematics
Mathematical Studies SL
Mathematics HL
GROUP SIX: The Arts
Music SL/HL
Visual Art SL/HL
Or, possibly, a second option from Groups 1- 5
In addition to the six subjects, the Theory of Knowledge course, 120 hours of Creativity, Action, Service, and the production of an extended essay must be completed. (See questions 5, 6, and 7)
2. What is a certificate candidate?
A certificate can be earned in one or more single subjects by meeting all assessment criteria to a satisfactory level. Many students choose to be certificate students, which means they take some IB exams but are not enrolled in all the subjects and requirements for a full IB diploma.
3. If I attend SSIS, am I required to take IB courses?
No. Students in 11th and 12th grade at SSIS are not required to take IB courses. SSIS offers a full range of non-IB courses. At times, however, because of scheduling constraints, students who are not enrolled in the IB program may be placed in a classroom with students who are pursuing an IB Certificate or the full diploma.
4. How should a student decide whether to take the IB diploma or the IB certificates? What benefits come from taking IB courses, but not the diploma?
This is a complex issue and one you should think about carefully with guidance from parents, teachers, and counselors. If you need the IB diploma in order to meet requirements at the universities of your choice, the decision is simple: Enroll as a diploma student.
For most students there is choice involved. The diploma is seen as a well-rounded, rigorous, and comprehensive course of study for the final two years of high school. When applying to universities, the diploma can certainly be an advantage. Being part of the diploma program is one very tangible way of showing yourself to be a highly motivated and inquisitive student. Furthermore, students in the diploma program receive extra training in skills that are important for college success, such as writing the extended essay and the approach to knowledge provided by TOK. IB diploma students should feel confident that they have been given the preparation needed for success at even the most highly competitive universities. The diploma does not, however, guarantee admission. Many other factors are involved in how colleges make decisions.
Some students would do better to choose individual certificates rather than try for all the requirements of an IB diploma. This would be the case if the student’s skills were adequate in some, but not all, areas. Also, students need to be wary of over-commitment. The IB diploma (and to some extent each IB) involves a time and energy commitment, and it may involve having to make some choices as you prioritize what is most important to you.
Certificates are issued for completion of individual IB courses and will designate a score of 1-7. Scores of 5 and above, particularly in HL courses, may merit special admissions consideration and course credit at North American universities. A more limited number of colleges in the Americas also grant credit for IB SL courses.
5. What are the requirements for TOK?
The Theory of Knowledge course is an interdisciplinary requirement intended to stimulate critical reflection on knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. The course challenges students to question the bases of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases, and to develop the ability to analyze evidence that is expressed in rational argument. TOK is also a key element in encouraging appreciation of other cultural perspectives.
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) recommends approximately 100 hours of TOK instruction. The official IB assessment consists of an externally assessed essay and an internally assessed presentation.
6. What are the requirements for CAS (Creativity, Action, Service)?
The IBO’s goal is to educate the whole person and to foster responsible, compassionate citizens. The CAS program encourages participation in activities and encourages sharing with the local community. The basic CAS requirement is 150 hours that balances participation in the three areas, but the aim of CAS is for students to set goals and strive for personal growth as they fulfill these hours.
7. What is the extended essay?
The extended essay is the requirement that most fully acquaints students with the type of independent research and writing skills expected in university. The student chooses a topic of interest, usually in one of the student’s IB subjects, and produces the essay with guidance from a faculty supervisor. The IBO recommends that the essay take a total of 40 hours of private study and writing. The maximum word limit is 4,000. Essays of fewer than 3,000 words would usually not be seen as having significant depth on the chosen topic.
8. If I start IB classes in grade 11, do I have to continue in grade 12?
It is the expectation that students will complete IB classes they start in 11th grade. As IB courses are delivered over 2 years, students should base their course selections on careful thought and investigation. A student should never start an IB program without careful consideration of the level of ongoing commitment required. However, circumstances may sometimes arise that make it impossible for a student to continue with an IB class. In such cases, only after all means of supporting a student in that IB class have been exhausted will the request for a course change be brought before the MSHS Principal, with whom the decision ultimately resides.
9. What do universities think about the IB?
It is safe to say that universities around the world recognize the IB as a rigorous and well-balanced program that prepares students well for university study. This does not mean that they all recognize an IB diploma in the same way. Some universities require an IB diploma or equivalent national qualification for admission. Other universities around the world do not require the IB diploma, but they do value it. Australian universities for example find an IB diploma “highly desirable.” If applying to university in the United States, IB courses (especially the HL level) are likely to be seen as roughly equivalent to AP courses.
10. Is the IB Program only for top students?
The answer is a definite no. The rigors of the IB should not be construed to mean that only the very best students could benefit from the program. An average student with good motivation and time-management skills is an appropriate diploma candidate. Students, parents, teachers, and counselors should be involved in the discussion of appropriate course selection.
11. How are IB courses assessed?
At both Higher (HL) and Standard Levels (SL), each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1(minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of a diploma requires a minimum of 24 points* with satisfactory completion of the Theory of Knowledge course, the Extended Essay and CAS.
* NOTE: There are a number of failing conditions that can negate a diploma even if 24 points have been earned, such as a 2 in a HL subject, or inadequate performance on the Extended Essay.
The IB program provides a liberal education that emphasizes a philosophy of learning. Consequently, a range of assessment procedures is used in which external examinations are complemented by internal assessment.
External Assessment: These components are sent to over 4,000 examiners around the world. The examiners then send their results to the IB assessment center. External assessment is most commonly in the form of a written examination, but can also be in the form of essays, research investigations, and taped orals.
Internal Assessment: These assessments are marked by the classroom teacher and are subject to external moderation. Samples are sent to examiners to ensure that the teacher’s standards are correct. Internal assessment takes a variety of forms (oral, written, field work, laboratory experiments)
12. If I am in grade 8 or 9, how should I prepare for the IB?
There is very little preparation needed other than trying to do well in your classes so that your background knowledge and skills base are strong. If you have any specific universities in mind, and especially if you have a specific field of study in mind (such as law or medicine or engineering), it is helpful to visit the university website to see what their requirements are. This will help you know if you are going to be ready to meet them.
Most students have no problem finding a suitable IB program, but two areas can be of concern: mathematics and foreign language. Some universities require a specific level of mathematics and unless the student is on track for this, the student will find it nearly impossible to suddenly move upwards. The math track (and any necessary summer work or doubling of courses) should be well thought out. Because students need a second language, it is helpful to begin early and to stay with a language once chosen. Students are advised not to start a new language in grade 10. This will eliminate the possibility of studying that language as ab initio and will not be enough preparation to study at the language B SL level.
The Program of Studies will explain course pre-requisites. This is also a useful document for planning.
The IBO home page (http://www.ibo.org) has additional information about the program.
