International qualifications 2013 (pdf) - CUKAS

Appendix C – International Baccalaureate middle years programme, certificate and diploma
GENERAL GRADE DESCRIPTORS
Grade 1 Minimal achievement in terms of the objectives.
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Very limited achievement against all the objectives. The
student has difficulty in understanding the required
knowledge and skills and is unable to apply them fully
in normal situations, even with support.
Limited achievement against most of the objectives, or
clear difficulties in some areas. The student
demonstrates a limited understanding of the required
knowledge and skills and is only able to apply them
fully in normal situations with support.
A good general understanding of the required
knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply them
effectively in normal situations. There is occasional
evidence of the skills of analysis, synthesis and
evaluation.
A consistent and thorough understanding of the
required knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply
them in a variety of situations. The student generally
shows evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation
where appropriate and occasionally demonstrates
originality and insight.
A consistent and thorough understanding of the
required knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply
them in a wide variety of situations. Consistent
evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation is
shown where appropriate. The student generally
demonstrates originality and insight.
A consistent and thorough understanding of the
required knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply
them almost faultlessly in a wide variety of situations.
Consistent evidence of analysis, synthesis and
evaluation is shown where appropriate. The student
consistently demonstrates originality and insight and
always produces work of high quality.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA
Qualification abbreviation:
IB
National qualifications framework level:
Level 3
Background:
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is an
international academic qualification administered by the
International Baccalaureate (IB). It is a two-year academically
rigorous pre-university programme designed, amongst a variety
of broader aims, to promote international mindedness.
All students, irrespective of their particular interests, are required
to follow six subjects in a range of disciplines. At least three and
not more than four of these must be at higher level (HL) and
three (or two if four HL courses are completed) at standard level
(SL). The recommended minimum classroom contact time for
each HL is 240 hours, and for each SL, 150 hours over the twoyear
period of the programme. The examined subjects must
include two languages, one subject from individuals and
societies, an experimental science, mathematics and one further
option. All subjects are designed to incorporate international
perspectives. The IB has three working languages, English,
French and Spanish, and almost all examination papers are
available in each of these languages.
The six subjects are bound together in a coherent form by the
100-hour theory of knowledge course followed by all students,
and by an extended essay which demonstrates research skills. A
further requirement is that candidates be involved in 150 hours of
creativity, action and service (CAS) which supports the philosophy
of a holistic international education.
Only an authorised IB World School that meets the IB’s standards
and practices can enter candidates for IB qualifications. The
Diploma programme is designed as a two-year course of study,
although in exceptional cases a maximum of two SL subjects
may be taken as one year courses. All HL courses, at least one
SL course and the core must be completed over two years.
Date of first award:
1970
Number of units/structure:
Candidates choose six subjects, at least three and not more
than four at higher level and three (or two if four HL courses
are completed) at standard level. Candidates choose their
programmes of six subjects by selecting one each from the
following six groups, Alternatively a candidate may offer,
instead of a Group 6 subject, a third modern language, a
second subject from Individuals and societies, a second subject
from experimental sciences or further mathematics SL or
computer science. Students therefore study all subject areas,
gaining a depth at Higher Level similar to that at A level. In
most cases, Standard Level subjects maintain similar depth to
those at Higher Level, but with reduced course content.
Group 1 – Language
The candidate’s best language or mother tongue; students either
study a language and literature or a literature course.
Literature and Performance (interdisciplinary)
Group 2 – Language A2, or Language B, or Ab initio
A foreign language course for students with previous experience
of learning the language. The main focus of the programme is on
language but a variety of texts also forms part of the course.
Classical Greek and Latin can also be studied as a group 2
course.
Or
Ab initio
A foreign language learning course over two years at SL for
students with no previous experience of learning the target
language.
Group 3 – Individuals and societies
Business and management
Economics
Environmental system and societies (SL) – this is an
interdisciplinary subject and can be taken through group 3
and group 4
Geography
History
Information technology in a global society
Philosophy
Psychology
Social and cultural anthropology
INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 79