The IB Diploma

This page is intended for students and families to learn more about the IB Diploma. Students do NOT need to be IB Diploma Candidates in order to take IB Courses. Any student may take IB Courses. Students who wish to earn the IB Diploma can find details below.

This page has important details and an explanation at the top, followed by frequently asked questions, information about the IB Diploma Core, and the IB Junior Orientation Slideshow at the bottom.

General info:

The IB Diploma is an option for all Bedford High School students.

It is not a requirement!

The IB Diploma is an additional diploma awarded by the IB. Students who go for the IB Diploma still earn a Bedford High School Diploma as well!

Students who want to earn the IB Diploma are referred to as IB Diploma Candidates.

Each year 10% to 15% of Juniors and Seniors are IB Diploma Candidates.

How to Earn the IB Diploma:

  • Take 6 IB Exams, one in each subject group:

    1. English

    2. World Language

    3. History/Social Studies

    4. Science

    5. Math

    6. The Arts

  • Students may take 2 exams in group 3 or 4 instead of a group 6: Arts exam.

  • 3 Exams must be HL (students may take 4 HLs)

  • Complete the IB Core:

    1. Theory of Knowledge

    2. Extended Essay

    3. CAS: Creativity, Activity & Service

  • More about the Diploma Core can be found below!

Why be an IB Diploma Candidate?

There are many reasons to do the IB Diploma:

  • It is a challenging but well-rounded educational program.

  • It is helps students be college-ready and can help with college admissions, credits, and advanced standing. For more on that, check out the College and IB page.

  • It is one of the "most rigorous" pathways through high school.

  • It is achievement to be proud of.

  • And if you plan on attending university overseas, it can help with that, too!

How is the IB Diploma Scored?

  • Each IB Exam is graded on a 1 to 7 scale. Most students earn between 3 and 6 points on IB Exams.

  • To earn the IB Diploma, students need to earn a total of 24 points.

  • Of those 24 points, at least 12 must be from your three lowest-scoring HL exams.

  • TOK and EE combine for up to 3 "bonus points" added to your overall Diploma Score.

Nearly 90% of BHS Diploma Candidates have earned the IB Diploma!

When will I receive the IB Diploma?

IB Exam scores are released to students and universities on July 6. Exam results are available to students at candidates.ibo.org. To access their scores, students will need the following:

  • Personal Code (example: fwn001)

  • PIN (example: DL3T6X8G)

Your personal code and PIN were emailed to you on Dec. 1, from the bhsib@bedfordnhk12.net address.

The actual physical diplomas arrive at BHS in the late summer, and are mailed to families in September.

Does the IB Diploma prevent me from taking non-IB classes?

While the IB Diploma does require a lot of coursework, there is usually room for you to take electives that you are interested in. If there are electives you'd like to include in your schedule, we can usually make room. But with only 8 blocks to work with, space can sometimes be limited.

If you are interested in mapping out an IB Diploma pathway, schedule a meeting with the IB Coordinator!

How do I sign up for the IB Diploma?

When you sign up for your Junior-year classes, make sure to include Theory of Knowledge I and Extended Essay I in your requests! It's that easy!

The IB Diploma Core

TOK: Theory of Knowledge

Theory of Knowledge is a two-semester course that begins second semester of Junior year. It is a philosophy-based course in which we explore how we know what we know.

TOK I is open to all BHS Juniors but it is a requirement of all IB Diploma Candidates.

For more information about TOK, check out the BHS Program of Studies.

The Extended Essay is an independent research project in which students write a 3500- to 4000-word essay on a topic of their choice.

The EE begins in the late fall of Junior year and culminates at the end of the first semester of Senior year.

For more in formation about the EE, check out the BHS Extended Essay Website.

CAS: Creativity, Activity and Service

CAS asks students to reflect on all the aspects of their IB Diploma Journey outside of their academic classes.

By completing a collaborative Project, reflecting on RWL experiences in a Portfolio, and Presenting to their peers, students complete CAS.

For more information about CAS, check out the BHS CAS Handbook.

IB Junior Orientation