IB exams (International Baccalaureate)

Overview

What is the IB Diploma Programme?

The Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year curriculum from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) for students aged 16 to 19. It is taught only at schools the IB has authorized, known as IB World Schools, or through an IB-approved online course provider.

Diploma students take six subjects, at least three and no more than four of them at higher level, plus a core of theory of knowledge (TOK), the extended essay (EE) and creativity, activity, service (CAS).

How is IB work graded?

Each subject receives a grade from 7 (highest) to 1. TOK and the extended essay together add up to 3 points, so the maximum diploma score is 45. The diploma is awarded to students with at least 24 points who also meet minimum performance conditions and complete the core.

HL versus SL

The IB awards the same points for higher and standard level, and both use the same grade descriptors. The difference is scope: HL courses have 240 teaching hours and SL courses 150. Colleges care about this difference, which is why HL results earn credit far more often.

Eligibility considerations

Who can take IB exams?

You need to be enrolled at an IB World School (or with an IB-approved online provider). The IB requires diploma candidates to follow the course of study and complete assessment through an authorized school or approved provider, and your school registers you for exams.

You do not have to pursue the full diploma. The IB lets students take individual DP courses, such as Mathematics HL or Economics SL, as their school allows, and colleges can award credit for those course results too.

The process

When are results released?

For the May exam session, results are issued on 5 July. Your school's DP coordinator registers you for exams and handles most administration.

How do you send IB results to a college?

• Before results come out, ask your DP coordinator to request that your results go to colleges; the IB allows up to six institutions through this route at no charge.
• After results are released, current candidates and graduates order transcripts through the IB's request for results service, which charges a processing fee per transcript.
• Colleges expect an official IB transcript. Valencia College, for example, awards IB credit only from an official IB transcript sent directly to the college.

Look up each college's IB table before choosing HL subjects, because the same grade in the same subject can earn very different credit at different schools.

Potential benefits

What can IB results be worth?

• Credit for individual HL subjects. The University of California gives 8 quarter units (5.3 semester units) for each HL exam passed with a 5, 6 or 7.
• A diploma award at some colleges. UC adds 6 quarter (4 semester) units for completing the IB diploma with 30 or more points, on top of HL credit.
• Sequence placement. At Arizona State University an HL grade of 5 can qualify for credit in up to two introductory courses; Biology HL with a 5, 6 or 7 earns 8 hours for BIO 181 and 182.
• Predictable rules in some states. Florida's public colleges and universities must award at least the minimum credit set by the state's Articulation Coordinating Committee for IB exams.

Important limitations

Where does IB credit fall short?

• Standard level exams often earn nothing. UC's policy lists credit for HL exams only, and ASU's table gives no credit for Chemistry SL at any grade.
• Credit depends on the subject. ASU does not award credit for English B (English as a second language).
• Caps apply. ASU counts IB within its 60-hour limit on credit by examination, and Florida limits credit-by-exam awards at public institutions to 45 credits.
• Overlap counts once. UC awards credit a single time when an IB exam duplicates an AP exam or a college course in the same subject.
• Elective credit may not meet your major's requirements; confirm with an adviser at the college you attend.