What is IB?
IB (International Baccalaureate®) Program System
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is an international high school graduation diploma that offers high school students a broad educational experience. The program is implemented in many schools around the world and prepares students for international university education.
The IB Program is offered at four different levels: Level 1 (SL), Level 2 (HL), Level 3 (SL) and Level 4 (HL):
- Level 1 (SL): The Standard Level offers students a general education.
- Level 2 (HL): Higher Level offers high school students a more in-depth and internationally recognized training for entry to international universities.
- Level 3 (SL): The Occupation Related Program offers students an education in business, technology or healthcare.
- Level 4 (HL): The Occupation-Related Program offers students an in-depth education into the fields of business, technology or healthcare.
The IB Program provides students with a broad educational experience and enables students to gain skills in a variety of fields. The program helps students focus on lessons and provides students with abilities such as learning, research, writing, language, and social skills. In addition, the IB Program provides students with preparation for university studies and gives students the ability to choose between universities. In addition to these, it provides the right to apply directly to countries where the Turkish High School Diploma is not valid (such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands).
CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) nedir?
CAS (Creativity, activity, service) is one of the three pillars that every student must complete under the Diploma Programme (DP) under the IB.
Continuing throughout the Diploma Program, CAS involves students in various activities in addition to their academic studies.
It is not subject to a formal assessment. However, students evaluate their CAS experience as part of the DP and provide evidence on achieving the seven learning outcomes for the CAS.
Educators in IB schools can learn about the seven learning outcomes in the CAS guide; this directory is available in the IB store and the Program Resource Centre (PRC).
The three main parts in which the CAS is usually intertwined with specific activities are characterized as follows:
Creativity- Art and other experiences that involve creative thinking.
Activity- Physical activity that contributes to a healthy lifestyle that contributes to academic studies elsewhere in the DP.
Service- A paid and voluntary exchange that is a learning benefit for the student. The rights of all persons involved are protected with respected dignity and autonomy.
To demonstrate these concepts, students are required to perform a CAS project. The project challenges students to:
Develop skills such as showing initiative, perseverance, cooperation, problem solving and decision making.
What is the importance of CAS? CAS provides opportunities for students to enhance their personal and personal development through experience.
It provides opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others, helping to develop a sense of accomplishment and pleasure in their work.
At the same time, the CAS provides an important balance to the academic intensity of the IB diploma program.
What is TOK (Theory of Knowledge)?
TOK (Theory of Knowledge) plays a special role in the IB Diploma Programme. It offers students a chance to reflect on the source of knowledge and how we know what we claim.
This is part of the DP, mandatory for all students, and is central to its educational philosophy.
TOK is structured as a thoughtful and purposeful investigation into different ways of acquiring information and types of information. This is made up almost entirely of questions, the most central question being "How do we know?" while others include: "What evidence counts as valid for X?" "How do we rate the best model of Y?" "What does theory Z mean in the real world?"
Through the discussion of these and other questions, students gain greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives.
The TOK course is judged through an exhibition and a 1600-word essay. The exhibition asks students to create an exhibit of three objects that explore how TOK came to be in the world around us. The article focuses on a conceptual issue in TOK, for example, students may be asked to discuss the claim that the methodologies used to generate knowledge depend on how the knowledge will be used.
TOK aims to make students aware of the interpretive nature of knowledge; the protection, modification or rejection of these prejudices, including personal ideological biases. It also provides students and teachers with the opportunity to think critically about different ways of knowing and areas of knowledge. Students have the chance to think about how knowledge plays a role in their own culture, in other cultures, and in the wider world.
Furthermore, TOK provides students with thoughtful awareness, helping them recognize the need to take a closer look at the complexity of information and act responsibly in an increasingly connected but uncertain world. TOC provides consistency for the student by incorporating academic subject areas while also transcending them, which shows how the student can apply their knowledge with greater awareness and confidence.
What is the IB Exam?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) exam is a test taken after the completion of the IB Program. The IB Program is an international high school education program and aims to measure students' general abilities, knowledge and skills. This exam is administered to students studying at IBP-accredited schools around the world and helps students prepare for university studies. The IB exam is conducted at four different levels: Level 1 (SL), Level 2 (HL), Level 3 (SL) and Level 4 (HL).
What are the Advantages of IB?
The IB (International Baccalaureate) program offers students a broad educational experience. Its advantages include:
- An international education: The IB program is a globally recognized education program and gives students an international perspective.
- Academic achievement: The IB program allows students to develop their academic skills and challenge themselves.
- Personal development: The IB program addresses students' social, emotional and physical dimensions and encourages their personal development.
- Career opportunities: The IB program broadens students' career options and prepares them for university.
- International recognition: The IB diploma is a globally recognized educational document and is evaluated by universities and employers.
- It provides the right to apply directly to countries such as Germany, Switzerland and France, where students who graduate with a Turkish High School Diploma cannot apply directly.
What are the IB Application Requirements?
In general, the following requirements are required for International Baccalaureate (IB) applications:
- The applicant must have an approved school in his/her current school where the IB program is offered in high schools.
- There may be a certain age limit at the school of the student who will apply.
- The applicant must meet the English language level required at their school.
- The applicant must achieve the level of academic achievement required in their school.
- The applicant must pay the IB program tuition fee required at their school.
Note: This is a general list and each school's application requirements may be different. Please contact your school to find out the application requirements in your high school department.
IB Scoring System
The scoring system of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is used to evaluate students' overall performance. This system is used to evaluate students' courses, exams, projects and other studies.
The IB Program's scoring system also gives students "bonus" points. Students can receive bonus points for other work they do to improve their language skills or gain learning skills.
Finally, students' overall performance is assessed with the grade of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The diploma grade is based on the average of the grades given to the students, and students are given grades between 1 and 7. This grade reflects the overall performance of the students. In addition, students are given a grade of "Pass" or "Fail" for each course.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about IB:
Why Choose the IB Program?
Students who have started their high school education and university in their dreams is abroad can reach their goals more easily by choosing IB diploma programs. Students improve their academic and language skills by receiving education in accordance with the international curriculum.
What Does IB Diplomacy Do?
The IB diploma program provides students with ease of entry to the world's leading and prestigious universities on an international scale. Students can be admitted to universities abroad with their individual IB scores.
In Which Countries Is the IB Diploma Valid?
Today, the IB diploma is accepted by the United States, Canada, England and many European and Australian universities.
Is the IB diploma programme only for students who want to study abroad?
No, the program is not only preferred by students who want to study abroad. Many IB students choose the program because they are aware of the advantages offered by the program and gain admission to successful and prestigious universities in Turkey.
What is GIB (Mixed Language International Baccalaureate)?
The GIB (International Baccalaureate in Mixed Languages) is based on the agreement "International Baccalaureate Diploma / Diplôme du Baccalauréat International" and an agreement between the IB and the Centre for Schools Abroad (ZfA: Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen). This diploma is accepted as a university entrance document for German universities and other schools abroad. Therefore, the following provisions apply as they involve intensive cultural exchange and the promotion of the German language abroad.
In addition to the German course, which requires a high level of language A or language B, biology and history subjects must also be taught in German. From the 2020/21 school year, mathematics and chemistry courses can also be offered in German. Since 2019, the IB Diploma with authorization, obtained in accordance with the requirements of the GIB, has been accepted as proof of German language ability required to start a university in Germany.
What is the difference between an IB diploma and a GIB diploma?
The IB Diploma is globally recognized as a university entrance document valid across universities all over the world. Graduates of IB schools, as well as those who present the GIB diploma as their final diploma, are entitled to study at German universities, which puts the GIB in a position equivalent to the Abitur qualification. Since 2019, the completion of the GIB has been recognized as a proof of knowledge of the German language, which is required for university admission in Germany.
Through "IB Training", students are introduced to "International Thinking" and participate in practical applications at school. This educational approach prepares students for the demands of the 21st century in addition to providing them with the academic knowledge specified in the challenging curriculum. The emphasis is on the development of personal, social and future-oriented skills and abilities, which means that students are well prepared for university in a holistic manner.
Additional requirements for successful completion of the GIB diploma program:
Within the framework of the IB, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the three subjects to be shown at a "high level" must include mathematics or a science course (biology, chemistry or physics). A science course taught in German should be chosen. All courses in the GIB Diploma Program must be continuous, i.e. continuous attendance must be ensured for two years. The required six courses must be graded with a minimum IB grade of 4. If a course is graded with a 3, the student can equal that course with another course with at least IB grade 5 and the same level (HL/SL). TOK (Theory of Knowledge) course and Extended Essay must be successfully completed. Candidates for these two components cannot receive an "E" grade. (See TOK/EE-GM matrix). The CAS program must have been successfully completed.