Earning the Diploma

IB Assessments

One major difference between the IB Diploma Programme and other advanced courses is the standards-based and comprehensive assessment model. Instead of being evaluated on one exam, students' IB scores are based on a number of assignments and exams (called "papers") throughout the two-year program.

Students are assessed through Internal and External Assessments:

Internal Assessments

      • Each IB course has IAs that are graded by teachers and submitted to IB.

External Assessments

      • The Extended Essay, Group 1 and 2 written assignments, and TOK essay are externally assessed by IB. FTHS IB teachers complete “predicted grades,” which help IB determine inter-rater reliability and ensure quality control.
      • Papers: In May of Year 2, each course concludes with examinations ("papers") that are externally assessed.*


*TOK and Visual Arts do not have exams.

Calculating Points Toward Earning the Diploma

Each IB subject area is assessed on a scale of 1 – 7 points, with 7 being the highest. The score is calculated based on a combination of final internal and external assessments given during 11th and 12th grade.

Students can earn a maximum of 45 points to earn their IB diploma (score of 7 on all six IB exams with 3 bonus points from TOK and EE).

The IB Diploma will be awarded to a candidate provided all the following requirements have been met:

      • CAS requirements have been met.
      • The candidate’s total points are 24 or more.
      • There is no “N” awarded for theory of knowledge, the extended essay or for a contributing subject.
      • There is no grade E awarded for theory of knowledge and/or the extended essay.
      • There is no grade 1 awarded in a subject/level.
      • There are no more than two grade 2s awarded (HL or SL).
      • There are no more than three grade 3s or below awarded (HL or SL).
      • The candidate has gained 12 points or more on HL subjects (for candidates who register for four HL subjects, the three highest grades count).
      • The candidate has gained 9 points or more on SL subjects (candidates who register for two SL subjects must gain at least 5 points at SL).
      • The candidate has not received a penalty for academic misconduct from the Final Award Committee.

Freehold Township High School students who finish their courses, the Extended Essay, and CAS requirements will receive a school certificate for completion of the IB program.