International Baccalaureate (IB) students are high school students who have chosen to participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This program is a rigorous, internationally recognised curriculum that prepares young learners for success in higher education and beyond.
One of the unique aspects of the IB program is its focus on interdisciplinary learning. Instead of studying traditional subjects in isolation, IB students learn how to connect ideas and concepts across multiple disciplines. This approach helps young learners develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by universities and employers. IB Singapore schools prepare their young learners for a better future. Keep reading to know what’s in store for IB students in 2023.
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International School Admission and IB Program
The well-rounded nature of the IB program helps young learners participate in community service, extracurricular activities, and a research-based projects.
International school admission in Singapore organise activities to help young learners develop important skills such as leadership, teamwork, and time management.
The IBDP culminates in the taking of a set of final exams, which are scored on a scale of 1-7. A score of 4 or higher is considered passing, and students who earn a score of 24 or higher out of a possible 45 points on the exams are awarded the IB Diploma.
What is the Aim of the IB Program?
The IB program is recognised by universities around the world and is often considered to be an equivalent of advanced placement (AP) courses in the United States. Many universities offer credit or advanced placement to students who have completed the IB program. Additionally, the program’s focus on interdisciplinary learning and personal development is highly valued by universities and employers.
Overall, IB students are highly motivated and academically ambitious individuals who have chosen to challenge themselves with a rigorous, internationally recognised curriculum. The skills and knowledge they gain through the program prepare them well for success in higher education and beyond.
History of the IB Program
Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is designed to provide – high-quality and challenging educational courses. These programmes at three different levels in Singapore International School:
- IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) – Young learners of age (16 to 19)
- IB Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) – Young learners of age (11 to 16)
- IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) – Young learners of age (3 to 12)
IB is renowned for its high academic standards and for helping to develop truly global, 21st-century citizens. The curriculum places great emphasis on creativity and imagination. International schools in Singapore encourage young learners to take a truly global view in every sense: learning is about considering the nature of human thought and developing the skills not just to remember facts but to analyse thinking and effort.
The year 2023 for IB Students
It’s most definitely been a chaotic few years for young learners. The effects of the pandemic were seen with the cancellation of the exam session. Since then, the IB has faced difficulty in prediction. But how do young learners know what their IB grades might look like in the 2022 and 2023 sessions?
The pattern of IB results helps young learners get an idea of what to expect in the upcoming sessions.
IB Grade Inflation
May 2020 results of IB students were slightly improvised due to the rapid worsening of the global pandemic. That year grades were calculated using IAs (marked coursework) and teacher input. This may have put young learners at a disadvantage, especially those who were banking on the exams to raise their grades.
In 2021, grade inflation was also seen in the IB’s decision-making process. However, it’s quite fair to assume that grade inflation was increased in order to accommodate young learners through an incredibly tricky year. So the marks were given to students more generously than in previous years.
IB Pass Rate
Young learners should be aware of the pass rate. The rating of each international school in Singapore is based on the school’s average IB Diploma score. The highest possible average score is 45.
The ranking includes both schools that had their students take the IB Diploma Programme examinations and schools that had their students take the examinations.
So it is not wrong fluctuations, natural increases, and decreases in the pass rate are to be expected in 2023. Well, this is not the usual metric to try and predict next year’s results – but such a meteoric increase over the past two years plays a significant role in the IB grades.
What to expect from 2023’s IB Grades?
Ultimately, we don’t know exactly how 2023’s grades stack up against previous years until we see them.
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