Students undertake the International Baccalaureate Programme Diploma in the last two years of High School. IB Diploma Candidates study six subjects, 3 at Standard Level (SL) and 3 at Higher Level (HL) over the two Diploma Years.
In addition they complete the 3 Core Components:
- Extended Essay
- Theory of Knowledge
- Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) Experiences
Understanding DP Assignments
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme uses both internally and externally assessed components to assess student performance.
For most courses, written examinations at the end of the DP form the basis of the assessment. This is because these examinations have high levels of objectivity and reliability.
Students can earn up to 7 points for each of the subjects that they take and up to 3 points for completing the Extended Essay and CAS. Students must earn a minimum of 24 points out of a possible 45 to earn the IB Diploma.
The IB assess student work as a direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the DP courses.
DP assessment procedures measure the extent to which students have mastered advanced academic skills in fulfilling these goals, for example:
- analysing and presenting information
- evaluating and constructing arguments
- solving problems creatively.
Basic skills are also assessed, including:
- retaining knowledge
- understanding key concepts
- applying standard methods
In addition to academic skills, DP assessment encourages an international outlook and intercultural skills, wherever appropriate. Student results are determined by performance against set standards, not by each student's position in the overall rank order.
The IB uses both external and internal assessment.
External Assessment: Examinations form the basis of the assessment for most courses. They include:
- essays
- structured problems
- short response questions
- data response questions
- text response questions
- case study questions
- multiple choice questions (rarely used)
Internal Assessment: Teacher assessment is also used for most courses. This includes:
- oral work in languages
- laboratory work in sciences
- investigations in mathematics
- artistic performances
Creativity, Activity, and Service Experience
Creativity, Activity, Service Experience (CAS) involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies throughout the Diploma Programme.
- Creativity encourages students to engage in the arts and creative thinking.
- Activity seeks to develop a healthy lifestyle through physical experiences.
- Service with the community offers a vehicle for a new learning with academic value.
The three strands of CAS enhance students’ personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning and enable journeys of self-discovery.
Students are responsible for establishing their own CAS activities and are supported by the CAS committee. They keep a portfolio of their experiences through their personal ManageBac accounts, in grade 11 and 12.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
Theory of Knowledge develops a coherent approach to learning that unifies the academic disciplines. In this course on critical thinking, students inquire into the nature of knowing and deepen their understanding of knowledge as a human construction.
The Extended Essay (EE)
The extended essay asks students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the DP subjects they are studying.
Students complete the process of writing the Extended Essay with the support of a teacher-mentor. This task is completed in the second semester of Grade 11 and the first semester of Grade 12. Students are able to track their progress and communicate with their mentor and Extended Essay supervisor through their ManageBac accounts.
On ManageBac students can find due dates, support materials (the IB Extended Essay Guide) and copies of A and B papers in previous subjects registered by Bayview Secondary students. Students who have concerns are encouraged to speak with the IB Coordinator.