Philosophy and Principles
Assessment is used to measure how well a student achieves learning outcomes for a specific course. Results guide future instruction and encourage student learning. Assessment also needs to provide clear objectives for students to understand expectations.
Assessment practices at Sydney Academy reflect the involvement of all stakeholders within our learning community. The Nova Scotia Student Assessment Policy (2022) is used as a reference. In line with this policy, assessments are fair, transparent, and equitable for all students, and are carefully planned to relate to curriculum expectations and learning goals. Teachers consider, whenever possible, the interests, learning preferences, needs, and experiences of all students, with assessments that are ongoing, varied in nature, and offered over a time period where students have an opportunity to present their full range of learning.
At Sydney Academy, our IB students:
Have differing learning styles and strengths
Have different backgrounds, experiences, expectations, and needs
Perform differently based on the context of learning
Need to understand their strengths and areas for improvement in the learning process
Should receive academic feedback in a meaningful way
Learning is:
Dependent on prior knowledge and development
Enriched by the modeling of different learning processes and expectations
Influenced by gender and socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic factors
Shaped by well informed and purposeful instructional approaches
Ongoing and lifelong
IB teachers use a variety of formative and summative assessments to support and encourage student learning. IB assessment marks are relative to clearly defined levels of skill attainment rather than against the work of other students. The levels of skill attainment for each subject are derived from the aims and objectives of the course and established by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). They are designed to be fair to students all over the world. The criteria for achievement are explained to students in each course and are the focus of class and homework activities.
IB Grades
A variety of methods are used to communicate student achievement throughout the academic year. Curriculum outcomes and assessment practices are communicated through course outlines. Course grades, based on school-based assessments, are reported to students and their parents/guardians throughout the year though PowerSchool. Grades are also reported to students and parents twice a semester using provincially authorized report cards according to the report schedule of the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.
Marks in IB courses are reported using the IB 1 - 7 scale. The 1-7 marks are based on the IB standardized criteria on levels of achievement in each course.
IB Grade Scale:
Excellent Performance 7
Very Good Performance 6
Good Performance 5
Satisfactory Performance 4
Mediocre Performance 3
Poor Performance 2
Very Poor Performance 1
To verify the accuracy and reliability of grading against IB standards, teachers provide grading rubrics and mark schemes. Teachers are regularly trained in each of their subject areas to ensure that practices and grading are in line with IB requirements. The submission of internal assessments and predicted grades allows for moderation and feedback of assessment practices. By adhering to these internal moderation and standardization practices, schools uphold the integrity of the IB assessment process and provide students with a reliable indication of their performance.
IB marks are also reported on the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Education transcripts for students. Official transcripts are required to be submitted to universities for consideration of admission and scholarships. Nova Scotia IB students receive two official transcripts. The first transcript is the IB transcript which displays the 1-7 grades based on school-based assessments marked according to IB standardized assessment criteria. These correspond to the 1-7 marks shown on report cards.
Nova Scotia IB students also receive a second Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development transcript displaying percentage marks converted from the 1-7 IB scale. Achievement levels attained according to IB standards and criteria are translated into a percentage grade using a standardized conversion scale developed by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
The percentage conversion is completed using the standardized EECD conversion scale.
IB Grade
Converted Percentage Grade
7 99% - 100%
6 92% - 98%
5 84% - 91%
4 77% - 83%
3 70% - 76%
2 50% - 60%
1 Failing Grade
A student who scores at the high end of the IB scale based on IB mark bands and assessment criteria would earn a corresponding percentage grade on the high end of the designated percentage range for that IB score.
Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays are evaluated using a letter grade scale. The Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development percentage conversions are:
IB Grade
Converted Percent Grade
A 96% - 100%
B 91% - 95%
C 80% - 90%
D 70% - 79%
E Failure
Final IB scores are based on the IB internal and external assessments, not only school-based assessments. Students are notified of their final IB marks in early July through individual student accounts in the IBO. Requests may be made at the school in May for official IB results to be sent directly from the IBO to universities in July. Students may later contact IBO directly to request that transcripts be sent to universities.
Earning an IB Diploma
Students in the IB Diploma Programme must take one course in each of five academic groups: Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Experimental Sciences, and Mathematics. Students must also take a sixth course, with a choice in Fine Arts, or an additional Science course, or an additional Individuals & Societies course. Students must also complete the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE) and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) requirements.
Each of the IB subjects is graded on a 1-7 scale. To determine diploma eligibility the marks in each of the six subjects are totalled. Combined performance in the Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay, which are marked on an A-E basis, contribute up to three additional bonus points to a student’s total, according to the chart below.
The maximum total possible IB Diploma Program score is 45 (6 courses X 7 points plus 3 bonus points). In order to receive an IB Diploma, a student must complete all assessment components for each of the six subjects and complete the TOK, EE, and CAS requirements. A student must earn at least 24 points and meet the following additional rules and requirements.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma will be awarded to a student if they receive 28 points or above and they meet the following requirements:
Numeric grades have been awarded in all six subjects registered for the IB Diploma.
All CAS requirements have been met.
Grades A (highest) to E (lowest) have been awarded for both theory of knowledge and an extended essay, with a grade of at least D in one of them.
There is no grade 1 in any subject.
There is no more than one grade 2 at a higher level.
There are no more than two grades 2 at standard level.
Overall, there are no more than three grades 3 or below.
At least 11 points have been gained on higher level subjects.
At least 8 points have been gained on standard level.
The final award committee has not judged the candidate to be guilty of malpractice.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma will be awarded to a student if they receive 24, 25, 26 or 27 points and they meet the following requirements:
Numeric grades have been awarded in all six subjects registered for the IB Diploma.
All CAS requirements have been met.
At least grade D has been awarded for both theory of knowledge and an extended essay.
There is no grade 1 in any subject.
There is no grade 2 at a higher level.
There is no more than one grade 2 at standard level.
Overall, there are no more than three grades 3 or below.
At least 12 points have been gained on higher level subjects (candidates who register for four higher level subjects must gain at least 16 points at higher level.).
At least 9 points have been gained on standard level subjects (candidates who register for two standard level subjects must gain at least 6 points at standard level).
The final award committee has not judged the candidate to be guilty of malpractice.
Successful IB Diploma candidates will receive an IB Diploma. An IB Diploma candidate who fails to satisfy the requirements for the IB Diploma will be awarded course results for individual subjects.
The Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has determined that a student who fulfills the graduation requirements for an International Baccalaureate Diploma will also be awarded a Nova Scotia Graduation Diploma.
This policy is reviewed on an annual basis.