Awarding of the IB Diploma

Responsibility for all academic judgments about the quality of student work lies with more than 30000 examiners worldwide, led by chief examiners with international authority. Students are assessed no both the content and the process of their achievements, and markers take into account different learning styles and cultural patterns.

Essays, short answers, and multiple choice questions on examinations are complemented by internal assessment of course work by the teachers who work with the students over the two-year period. The result of the partnership between classroom teachers and international examiners is that students have ample opportunity to demonstrate what they know and what they are able to do.

Each examined student is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). To receive a diploma, students must meet defined standards and conditions including a minimum total of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge course, and Creativity, Action, and Services activities. The maximum score of 45 points includes three bonus points for an exceptional essay and work in TOK.

All students are encouraged to engage in the full programme. Those who do not satisfy all requirements or who elect to take fewer than six subjects are awarded an IB certificate for the examinations they have successfully completed. The spring examination session serves the majority of candidates. Each year, between 90-96% of students in Ontario who attempt the IB Diploma, earn it.