DCHS IB Programme - IBDP Student Requirements

A candidate can only receive an IB Diploma if the following conditions are met.

CAS requirements are met.
The candidate has achieved at least 24 total points.
A grade has been awarded in all subjects, TOK and the EE.
A grade of at least a 2 has been awarded in all subjects.
There are no more than two grade 2s awarded (SL or HL).
There are no more than three grade 3s or below awarded (SL or HL).
The candidate has at least 12 points on HL subjects. (For candidates who register for four HL subjects, the three highest grades count).
Candidates have at least 9 points on SL subjects. (Candidates who register for two SL subjects must be awarded at least 5 points at SL).

What are SL and HL classes?

To ensure both breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, students choose courses from the following subject groups: studies in language and literature; language acquisition; individuals and societies; sciences; mathematics; and the arts. Most subjects may be taken at either standard level (SL) or higher level (HL).

SL courses ensure students are exposed to a range of disciplines that they might otherwise opt out of, and HL courses allow students to spend more time with subjects they are more interested in by exploring options in addition to the SL core curriculum. In this sense, all DP courses, regardless of whether they are SL or HL, are integral to the programme.

Both SL and HL courses are meant to span the two years of the DP. SL courses are recommended to have at least 150 hours of instructional time, and HL courses are recommended to have at least 240 instructional hours.

In most cases both SL and HL courses consist of the same educational aims, core syllabus and curriculum and assessment models. HL courses typically also include a range of additional elements designed to allow students to explore areas of interest within the subject in more depth. In this sense, SL courses are not watered down versions of their HL counterparts. The assessment criteria are equally demanding for both levels, and SL exams are marked and standardized with the same rigor as all IB coursework.

Source: Standard level and higher level courses

How is the diploma outcome calculated?

The diploma points are calculated by adding together the grades achieved from each of the six subjects and the core. Candidates receive a grade of 1-7 for each subject and up to three points for the core elements (EE and TOK). Standard level (SL) and higher level (HL) subjects are equally valued in determining the candidate’s final points. To achieve a diploma, students must earn at least 24 points and have met the conditions listed below.

The highest score that a candidate can achieve is 45 points. The maximum points of 45 is obtained from 6 (subjects) times 7 (top grade) plus 3 points from the core.

Source

How are the core points calculated?

"Core" refers to TOK, EE, and CAS. TOK and EE are graded on a scale from A to E, and CAS does not receive a grade.

Candidates can earn between zero and three points towards the overall diploma points. The number of points is calculated using the table below.

Source

What is a bilingual diploma?

In addition to the usual diploma, a "bilingual diploma" can be awarded to a candidate who:

completes two languages selected from group 1 with a grade 3 or higher in both.
completes one of the subjects from group 3 or group 4 in a language that is not the same as the candidate's group 1 language. The candidate must get a grade 3 or higher in both the group 1 language and the subject from group 3 or 4.

Pilot subjects and interdisciplinary subjects can contribute to the award of a bilingual diploma provided the above conditions are met.

The following cannot contribute to the award of a bilingual diploma:

an extended essay
a school-based syllabus
a subject taken by a candidate in addition to the six subjects for the diploma ("additional subjects").

Source

Where can I find information on the exams for each class?

You can view our Curriculum Guide for more information.

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