IB Diploma Programme Structure
The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a rigorous 2-year pre-university curriculum for students aged 16–19, offered in over 5,400 schools in 159 countries. It is designed to develop internationally-minded, critical thinkers.
The 3 Core Components
Extended Essay (EE)
A 4,000-word independent research essay on a topic of your choice. Assessed A–E; A/B EE + A/B TOK = 3 bonus points.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
A philosophical inquiry into how we know what we know. 1,600-word essay + oral presentation. A with A/B EE = 3 bonus points.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
Minimum 50 hours combined across creative, physical, and service activities. No points — but failure to complete means no diploma.
Subject-Level Strategies for 7s
- Mathematics (HL/AA): Internal Assessment (IA) accounts for 20% of your grade — choose a genuinely interesting, clearly bounded investigation topic
- Sciences: Lab reports (IAs) must follow the IB format exactly. Practice writing IAs from Year 1, not just before the deadline
- Languages A: Higher Level has a written task and individual oral component. Read widely beyond the set texts to demonstrate independent literary thinking
- Group 4 Sciences: The Group 4 Project (collaborative experiment) is a hurdle requirement — take it seriously
Extended Essay: The 3-Point Opportunity
The EE is worth up to 3 bonus points when combined with TOK. Most students waste this opportunity by writing a vague, over-broad essay. High-scoring EEs have a tightly defined research question answerable in 4,000 words with clear methodology.
- Choose a subject where your supervisor is knowledgeable and engaged
- Write a focused research question — "What is the effect of X on Y in Z context?"
- Complete a draft by the end of Year 12 — the final year is for polishing, not starting
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