How Are Students Assessed?

Students are assessed both internally and externally in ways that measure individual performance against stated objectives for each subject.

Internal Assessment

The IB Diploma Programme curriculum requires that students complete a major “project” in each IB Diploma subject. Such projects are formally called Internal Assessment (IAs) because they are assessed “internally” by subject teachers. To ensure consistency, IA projects are also moderated by IB examiners. The moderation process is an important part of maintaining consistency, fairness, high standards, and accountability in the IB Diploma Programme.

Some assessment tasks are conducted and overseen by teachers without the restrictions of examination conditions, but are then marked externally by examiners. Examples include Works in Translation assignments for Language A, Written Tasks for Group 2: Language Acquisition, Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays.

External Assessment

In May of the second year of the IB Diploma Programme, students will sit IB Diploma examinations based on two years' worth of teaching materials. Due to the degree of objectivity and reliability provided by the standard examination environment, externally marked examinations form the greatest share of assessment for each subject.

IB Diploma Programme students follow six courses: three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. The points awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). Students can also be awarded up to three additional points for their combined results on the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. The highest total score for the IB Diploma that may be awarded is 45 points. The IB Diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimal levels of performance across the whole Diploma and to satisfactory completion of Creativity, Activity and Service requirements.