Why read this IB MYP subjects guide?
Are you new to the IB curriculum? Trying to decide if this will be a fit for your child? Here’s your complete IB Guide to fully update you on the IB Middle Years & Diploma Programmes.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is one the most established and prominent examinations today.
Boasting a multi-disciplinary approach with a wide variety of courses and an international curriculum that promotes the idea of how a world class international education, can build a more compassionate, united, and peaceful world.
This guide will look in-depth into the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP) and the Diploma Programme (IB DP) Curriculum that form the frame work of a world renowned education.
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP) Complete IB Guide
- Subjects
- Assessment
- Scoring
- Exam Fees
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP) Complete IB Guide
- Subjects
- Assessment
- Scoring
- Curriculum changes in IBDP
- Exam Fees
- IBDP Past Papers
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME (IB MYP) GUIDE
WHAT IS THE IB MYP?
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a curriculum framework designed for learners aged 11–16 by the International Baccalaureate (IB). The MYP is a five-year programme.
IB MYP Benefits:
- Ideal preparation for the IB Diploma
- International perspectives
- Multilingualism
- Interdisciplinary teaching and learning that helps prepare students for an increasingly connected world
SUBJECTS
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) comprises eight subject groups:
- Language acquisition.
- Language and literature.
- Individuals and societies.
- Sciences.
- Mathematics.
- Arts.
- Physical and health education.
- Design.
In years, 4 and 5 students have the option to choose courses from six of the eight subject groups within certain limits, to provide greater flexibility in meeting local requirements and individual student learning needs.
Each year, students in the MYP also engage in at least one collaboratively planned interdisciplinary unit that involves at least two subject groups.
IB MYP requires the study of at least two languages (language of instruction and additional language of choice) to support students in understanding their own cultures and those of others.
MYP students also complete a long-term project, where they decide what they want to learn about, identify what they already know, discovering what they will need to know to complete the project, and create a proposal or criteria for completing it.
Certain IB MYP Subjects have different levels for students to choose between for example:
- IB MYP Standard Math
OR
- IB MYP Extended Math
ASSESSMENT
The MYP optional eAssessment provides external evaluation for students in year 5 (15–16 years old) that leads to the internationally recognized IB MYP certificate.
MYP optional eAssessment comprises examinations and coursework.
To be eligible for the IB MYP certificate students must complete the following eight eAssessments:
- On-screen examinations in:
- Mathematics
- Language and literature
- Sciences
- Individuals and societies
- Interdisciplinary learning
- EPortfolios (coursework) in:
- Language acquisition
- Physical and health education, arts, or design
- The MYP Personal project.
Two-hour onscreen examinations in four subject groups (language and literature, sciences, mathematics, individuals and societies) and in interdisciplinary learning are individually marked by IB examiners.
Portfolios of student work for four subject groups (language acquisition, physical and health education, arts, and design) are moderated by IB examiners.
SCORING
The maximum total score for the IB MYP certificate is 56, with a grade from 1-7 assigned to each required eAssessment.
Students must achieve a total of at least 28 points, with a grade of ‘3’ or higher in each eAssessment component, to be eligible to receive the IB MYP certificate
EXAM FEES
Students sitting for eAssessments have to pay a fee for each individual subjectthey wish to take for the assessments.
For a more detailed description of the exam fees you can visit their Assessment Fees page.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (IBDP) COMPLETE GUIDE
WHAT IS THE IB DIPLOMA?
The IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) is a rigorous, challenging and balanced two-year university-preparation programme for students aged 16 to 19.
The IB DP is certainly unique and increasingly popular for its many benefits.
Benefits of the IB Diploma Programme:
- Multilingualism – students are required to take a second language
- Advanced Research Skills – The Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge components of the IB Diploma require the development of advanced independent research and organisational skills
- Develops the whole person -Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) is a compulsory component of the IB Diploma.
- College Readiness – focuses on the academic and non-academic knowledge and skills required for transition to College.
SUBJECTS
The IB DP requires all students to take 6 subjects which are more than the requirement for other international curriculums like Cambridge/Pearson Edexcel International Advanced levels (3 subjects minimum).
Students are required to take a second language as one of these 6 subjects.
In addition, there is an added compulsory course called Theory of Knowledge, a research project called Extended Essay and learning activities which are called Creativity, Action & Service. These make up the compulsory core of the IB DP.
The IB DP has six subject groups.
There are courses at different levels for each subject within each group, Such as higher level courses and standard level courses.
This offers students the choice to specialise in certain subjects.
- Students select one course from each subject group (The arts may be replaced with another subject).
- At least two languages are studied.
- At least three courses are taken at higher level (HL), generally 240 hours of instruction. Standard level (SL) courses are typically 150 hours.
- All courses are designed to span two years, assessed with the same level of rigour and equally weighted.
A compulsory core comprises three distinct components, and is an integral part of the DP student experience:
- Theory of knowledge (TOK) is a course on critical thinking that makes connections across the academic disciplines and explores the nature of knowledge.
- The extended essay (EE) is an in-depth, externally assessed, independent research project into a topic of the student’s choice. Up to 4,000 words in length, it promotes high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity.
- Creativity, activity, service (CAS) involves students in a range of experiential and service learning activities that enhance personal and interpersonal development. CAS encourages engagement in the arts, creative thinking, a healthy lifestyle and a sense of social responsibility.
ASSESSMENT
The IB DP utilizes a variety of assessment techniques and components to measure student performance.
Written examinations marked by professionally trained examiners, along with internal assessments by the students’ teachers, form the basis of the assessment for most courses.
Exams are in May or November,depending on the school’s calendar. Results are released in July or January, respectively.
SCORING
After all assessment components are marked and weighted, students receive a final score ranging from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest) for each course.
HL and SL courses are weighted equally.
The core’s extended essay and TOK are each marked on an A (highest) to E (lowest) scale, and their combined results can account for up to three additional points.
CAS is not marked, but completion is required to earn the diploma.
The diploma is awarded to students who meet minimum requirements, including: earning at least 24 points overall, completion of the core and a minimum grade of 3 in at least four subjects.
The maximum a student can earn is 45 points: 6 courses × 7 points, plus 3 points for the core.
CURRICULM CHANGES IN IBDP
All DP curriculums are revised on a seven-year teaching cycle to ensure internationally minded, research-based curriculums and support resources that enable students to develop the attributes of an international citizen.
Thereby, providing an excellent preparation for life in the 21st century.
The two main subjects where curriculum updates have taken place are the:
Mathematics Curriculum
- Adding critical thinking to the mathematics curriculum is the latest update to the DP Mathematics curriculum.
- Universities and employers are looking for students to show critical thinking in the context of mathematical understanding.
- DP mathematics will focus on developing the skills of analysis, abstraction and generalization, risk awareness and statistical literacy, algorithmic thinking, modelling and inquiry.
- Hence, the development of critical thinking with in the DP Mathematics
- In 2019 the DP Mathematics will include the critical thinking aspect with the introduction of two new Mathematics subjects/routes that will each be offered at standard level (SL) and higher level (HL):
IBDP Mathematics: Analysis and approaches course
- Offered at both SL and HL
- It is designed for students who enjoy developing their mathematics to become fluent in the construction of mathematical arguments and develop strong skills.
- They will explore real and abstract applications, sometimes with technology, and will enjoy the thrill of mathematical problem solving and generalization.
IBDP Mathematics: Applications and interpretation course
- Offered at both SL and HL
- For students who are interested in developing their mathematics for describing our world, modelling and solving practical problems using the power of technology
- Students who take Mathematics: Applications and interpretation will be those who enjoy mathematics best when seen in a practical context.
Language and Literature Curriculum
- There will be more choice about the organization and sequencing of the curriculum, which will result in a greater variety between courses.
- Students will be able to use a learner portfolio to critically explore the texts being studied.
- This new update has been developed to help foster a more meaningful and personal interaction between students and the texts they study.
Exam Fees
The candidate subject fee is paid for each subject taken by an individual student. There is no fee for theory of knowledge or the extended essay assessment by diploma category students.
For a more detailed summary of the fees structure you can visit their Assessment Fees Page
An additional fee is charged when IB deadlines for student registration are missed.
There is also the CORE FEES for course candidates.
A Core Fees for each core requirement of the Diploma Programme a candidate is registered for, and for diploma candidates retaking a core requirement.
IB PAST PAPERS
If you are in need of the IB DP past papers, then you can find them on the Sample Exam Past Paper page on the International Baccalaureate website
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IB MYP Subjects & levels:
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- IB MYP Language & Literature
- IB MYP Individual & Societies
- IB MYP Chinese
- IB MYP French
- IB MYP Spanish
- IB MYP Science – Biology, Chemistry & Physics
IB DP Subjects & levels:
- IB DP Mathematics– Math Studies, Standard Level, Higher Level
- IB DP Chemistry– Standard Level, Higher Level
- IB DP Physics– Standard Level, Higher Level
- IB DP Biology– Standard Level, Higher Level
- IB DP Economics– Standard Level, Higher Level
- IB DP Business Management– Standard Level, Higher Level
- IB DP English Language & Literature– Standard Level, Higher Level
- IB DP Chinese– Language ab initio & Language B SL/HL
- IB DP Spanish– Language ab initio & Language B SL/HL
- IB DP French – Language ab initio & Language B SL/HL
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