IB
@ PMSS
EMPOWERING PMSS IB STUDENTS
Get the full run-down on your options, receive advice from those who know what you're going through, and make the most of the sweat, blood and tears you're putting into your education.
The IB Point System
The IB assesses students on a scale of 45 points (that's the maximum you can achieve): 42 possible points from the six subject areas and 3 more possible points from EE and TOK. The following outlines how these points work.
The 6 Groups
You can receive a score from 1 to 7 for each course.
1 - Very Poor (minimal knowledge and understanding - virtually nobody receives 1's; if you DO get a 1, I'm sorry but HOW???)
2 - Poor (limited knowledge and understanding - again, nearly nobody receives 2's; if you DO get a 2, your diploma may be in jeopardy)
3 - Mediocre (partial knowledge and understanding - if you get a 3, don't cry because life will carry on)
4 - Satisfactory (satisfactory knowledge and understanding - the average score most students receive; if you get a 4, it's all good)
5 - Good (good knowledge and understanding - if you get a 5, be happy; you're better than average!)
6 - Very Good (broad knowledge and understanding - if you get a 6, be VERY happy!)
7 - Excellent! (thorough knowledge and understanding - if you get a 7, you are either a prodigy or you must have had no sleep and no life for the last two years)
Where do these grades come from, you ask?
Internal Assessment (IA)
This is work that is marked within our own school by our own teachers. It takes on many different forms depending on the course. For example, an IA mark for Geography comes from a single fieldwork study, whereas an IA mark for Chemistry comes from multiple different labs done throughout grade 11 and 12. Check out the group pages for the format and weighting of IA's in different courses.
External Assessment
This is work that is marked outside of our school (in many cases, even outside of our country) by IB examiners. For most courses, the bulk of your external assessment mark comes from the final papers you write in May of your grad year. Check out the group pages for how external assessment works for specific courses.
No, your Ministry of Education marks for your courses do NOT translate into your IB marks. IB does not care how you do in class, they just look at your internal and external assessments. That being said, how well you do in class is almost always how you perform for these assessments.
The Core: EE, TOK, and CAS
EE and TOK are assessed as shown in the matrix to the left. Your EE mark comes from how well you did on your actual essay and your TOK mark comes from your TOK presentation and paper.
If you score anywhere with an "N" or a "Failing condidion" you can pretty much count on not getting your IB Diploma.
CAS is (ultimately) assessed on a pass-fail system. If you keep up on your reflections and follow instructions given by your CAS advisor(s), then you should have a green flag on Managebac indicating that it's all good! However, if you fall far behind on your reflections, then you're at risk of losing your IB diploma. This is indicated on Managebac with a red flag.
