Making the Most Out of Your
IB Program

An IB program or International Baccalaureate diploma is a college preparatory course that runs for two years and is available only to students 16 to 19 years of age. This IB diploma is recognized all over the world and is widely heralded as one of the more excellent ways to pursue an effective college education program.

Most IB schools also offer a Primary Years Program and a Middle Years Program to younger students. Subject concentrations such as IB Math and IB English are also available for those who want a focused study.

Students who want to excel in their IB programs must prioritize taking their IB theory of knowledge course. This course is for 100 hours and is targeted at training the students to study and scrutinize pieces of evidence and to hone their argumentation skills. For an overview of this course, students may look at IB past papers in academic databases and IB courses online.

An IB TOK course is not only a prerequisite to finishing the IB program but is also essential in training the students for thesis defense in their college education.

The IB syllabus usually consists of six groups of study which all students are required to take. The progress of each student in line with the six groups is highly dependent on his performance in the international baccalaureate exams. This will periodically determine if a student can move on to the next level.

Since an IB program is a preparatory course for college, students are encouraged to do very well in these exams to get higher ratings. An excellent performance in the program can open more doors for college opportunities.

The International Baccalaureate program goes beyond mere academic requirements. It also covers creative and service-oriented pursuits. Students may choose to enroll in extra classes such as music and theater programs. They may also indulge in the various sports programs being offered in the curriculum. Some IB schools have a mandatory community service activity which students have to finish before they can graduate to the higher levels. Students are greatly urged to also allot time for these classes for a more well-rounded education.

A number of word essays will be required from the students during the course of the program. This will entail creativity, research and sometimes, teamwork. Students are to work with a conscious regard for and a consideration of the needs and progress levels of their classmates. Having the right kind of attitude will also prepare them for the intricacies of college life. It is thus important for students to excel both in and outside of the classroom, as this is something that the instructors observe and do not take for granted.

Score at least 24 points towards your IB diploma. You will earn three for your TOK, CAS and your 4000 word essay. Your remaining points will be determined on how well you do in your subjects from the six groups. These points are granted based on how you do in the classes themselves and how you perform on an exam to be graded by someone other than your instructors.

IB programs may use diverse curricula such as the MYP, PYP and IBO types. This allows students of all ages to be familiar with the program and to pursue the track that will help them achieve their academic goals. An IB program real results system is available in many learning resources online and in chosen academic publications.