Earning the IB Diploma

To achieve the full International Baccalaureate Diploma, students must take one subject in each of 5 academic groups (Group 1: Language & Literature, Group 2: Language Acquisition, Group 3: Individuals & Societies, Group 4: Experimental Sciences, & Group 5: Mathematics).

In addition, they must also take a 6th subject. This may optionally come from Group 6: The Arts or be a second subject from Groups 1-4 (a second Group 5: Mathematics is not an option).

Undertaking 3 experimental sciences (Group 4) is not an option.

Students must also take a minimum of 3 subjects (Recommended) at Higher Level (HL). A fourth HL course may be undertaken in special circumstances and if the student’s performance and recommendations warrant eligibility.

Generally, students undertake 3 HL courses and 3 SL courses.

In addition to group subjects, students must also satisfactorily complete the requirements for Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE) and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS).

Students receive an official 1 - 7 score from the IB for each IBDP course they undertake.

This score is based on their performance on both internally and externally assessed components for each subject.

To determine whether students earn the full IB Diploma or not, the marks for each of the 6 subjects are compiled. A minimum of 24 points is needed. Of the 24, a minimum of 12 must come from HL subjects and 9 from SL.

An additional 3 points may be earned by students upon the successful completion of TOK and the EE. The EE and TOK are assessed on an A - E scale. The additional 3 points may be earned according to the points matrix.

If a student is allowed to undertake 4 HL subjects, the 3 highest HL scores will be counted towards this quota and a minimum of 5 points must come from the remaining 2 SL subjects.

The IB Diploma will not be awarded if:

• Less than 24 points are earned

• Less than 12 points are earned in HL subjects

• CAS is not completed (although not assessed, students who do not fulfill the CAS requirements will not be awarded the IB Diploma.

• An “N” (Non-Submission) is awarded for TOK, the EE or for a contributing subject.

• A grade of 1 is awarded in a subject/level

• There are more than two grade 2s awarded in subjects (HL or SL)

• There are more than three grade 3s or below awarded (HL or SL)

• The student has received a penalty for academic misconduct from the final award committee

Pamoja is the only certified, online based provider of International Baccalaureate course. Their offerings allow schools, particularly small ones such as AISL, the ability to augment their programmes and serve the diverse interests and needs of their communities.

In most cases, the cost for a Pamoja course is the responsibility of the family. AISL will cover the cost of a Pamoja course in the instance that AISL is unable to provide a course required for the completion of the IB Diploma.

For example:

A student’s skills and ability demonstrate they should be placed in Math AA HL. For various reason, AISL is unable to provide in person instruction in Math AA. In this case the student would undertake the course via Pamoja and AISL would cover the cost.

vs

A student wants to take Business Management, which is a group 3 subject. AISL offers in person instruction in a group 3 course (such as psychology and economics). In this case the family is responsible for the cost of the Pamoja course.

Cost: Prices for Pamoja courses run from approximately $1400 - $1500 USD per year (the IBDP is a 2-year programme)

Additional information: Information about course options and pricing can be found at:

https://pamojaeducation.com/ib-diploma