IB Diploma Programme Information about the Diploma Zhuhai

IB Diploma Programme Information about the Diploma Zhuhai International School

Our agenda this evening: 1. • Diploma basics - course structure - SL & HL subjects, Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (To. K) essay, CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) 2. How the DP is scored 3. The role of TOK, EE and CAS in gaining the Diploma 4. What Year 1 and Year 2 look like 5. HL subject choice 6. Assessments types 7. Rules for gaining the Diploma 8. Succeeding in the Diploma - Studying, Study Schedules and workload 9. Tertiary course counseling, selection and application process 10. If you don’t achieve a Diploma 11. Any other questions? Please ask any and all questions as we go. .

The Diploma Programme diagram Visual Art Creativity, Action, Service Theory of knowledge Maths SL* Chemistry, & Physics or Biology Learn er Extended essay English, Mandarin, Ab inito Business & Management

How the DP is scored • Each subject has a maximum of 7 • The EE and To. K Essay combine for a maximum of 3 • 6 x 7 + 3 = maximum score of 45

The role of the EE and To. K Essay in gaining the Diploma

The role of CAS in gaining the Diploma • A candidate needs to complete approximately 150 hours of Creativity, Action and Service • Hours in each component should be about equal • The CAS Coordinator has the final say on whether a candidate has completed their CAS

What does Year 1 look like? • A

What does Year 2 look like? • A

Higher Level (HL) subject choice • Of the 6 subjects, 3 must be taken at Higher Level • A HL subject is more difficult and involved than a SL subject, and requires more contact hours • Year 1 will need to choose their HL subjects by the end of Semester 1 • These choices need to be signed off by students, teachers, parents and the IB Coordinator

Assessment types • There are Formative assessments, which do not count towards Diploma scores but provide guiding feedback and preparation. These are marked by our teachers • There are Internal Assessments which do count toward the final Diploma grade. These are marked by our teachers, and moderated by an IB Moderator

Internal Assessments • Some subjects have specific IA tasks, others have a range of tasks that form a portfolio. Some subjects have one large IA task, others have many smaller ones. Along with the Final Exams they are the most important assessment tasks in any subject. • • • oral work in languages fieldwork in geography laboratory work in the sciences investigations in mathematics artistic performances. • If there is a difference between the teacher and the Moderator of 2 grades then the work is marked by a second IB Moderator.

What does 1 - 7 indicate? • • Grade 1 = very poor Grade 2 = poor Grade 3 = mediocre Grade 4 = satisfactory Grade 5 = good Grade 6 = very good Grade 7 = excellent

Rules for gaining the Diploma • To look at the rules for gaining a Diploma it is easier to look at the reasons why one will not be awarded. • When a Diploma is not awarded candidates will receive one requirement code. • The requirement code indicates the reason why no diploma has been awarded.

Everyone’s going to get their Diploma, right? • • Code requirements to be particularly mindful of: 1 Candidate’s total points are less than 24. 7 Grade 3 has been awarded four or more times. Achieve moderately or better across most subjects These codes apply to diploma (and retake) candidates with 24 to 27 points inclusive. 8 There is one or more grade 2 awarded at higher level. 9 Grade 2 at standard level awarded two or more times. 10 Candidate has registered for three higher level subjects, and gained fewer than 12 points on these.

How to ensure you gain your Diploma • Know what’s coming - subject term and yearly planners • • Know your key dates Attend after-school sessions Make study groups See teachers out of class time Read widely (not just the minimum) Visit IB student forums & Diploma help sites Use your Study Spares as the precious minutes they are

• How to ensure you gain your Diploma Create a workable and effective Study Schedule: • • • ‘Chunks’ of time, rather than endless time • • Designated work area, distraction-free Real breaks, that are timed Build in Reading Time, including Reading for Understanding Write it up, get it reviewed and keep it public

Course counseling, selection and application • Final date for tertiary course application is • Go to Open Days

University recognition and Diploma score requirements • Where to look: • Contact universities directly

If you don’t gain the Diploma • If you receive a requirement code you will receive Subject Certificates, which will have all of your individual (component) subject scores • You can still apply for tertiary courses. We’ll probably need to give you a hand. This will involve being clear about the admissions process, letters and phone calls (and you may need to visit too) • You can ‘retake’ exams in May 2011

• There will be 3 ‘EE Days’ at school. • These will involveessay goal-settinginformation and reaching Extended milestones by day’s end • Tomorrow is the first one • The other two will be Tues 15 th & Weds 16 th June (last week of term 2) • Draft due Weds 16 th June • Draft returned July 23 rd • Final draft due August 9 th

Theory of Knowledge information • TOK Coordiantor

CAS information • CAS Coordinator

• The true benefit of earning the IB Diploma is intrinsic in nature. The change that occurs within a student academically and personally while pursuing the Diploma produces far greater personal growth and satisfaction than the Diploma itself.