The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is globally recognized for its rigorous curriculum and unique assessment methods. Understanding how IB assessments work is key to success for both students and parents. This guide will walk you through the IB assessment process, the various types of assessments, and how grading is conducted.
Key Stages in the IB Assessment Process
1. Exam Preparation and Development
IB exams are meticulously developed over a period of 18 months to 2 years, ensuring that they are comprehensive and fair. The long development period allows the IB to create well-structured assessments that accurately evaluate students’ understanding and skills.
2. Types of IB Assessments
Students face a variety of assessments designed to test different skill sets. These include:
Exams: Written or on-screen tests that evaluate core knowledge.
Coursework: Teacher-marked projects or assignments, which are externally moderated.
Oral work: Language students are assessed through oral presentations or interviews.
Essays: Extended essays allow students to explore topics in depth.
Performances and Portfolios: For subjects like arts or music, practical work or creative portfolios are assessed.
These diverse methods ensure that students are tested on a broad range of competencies, from analytical thinking to communication and creativity.
3. Marking and Grading Explained
In IB assessments, there is a distinction between marks and grades. Marks refer to the number of correct responses or completed tasks, while grades take into account the difficulty of the task. For instance, you may receive high marks, but your grade will reflect not only your accuracy but also how challenging the task was.
4. Grade Boundaries and Adjustments
Grade boundaries in the IB are adjusted each year depending on the overall difficulty of the exam. If an exam is found to be particularly challenging, the IB may lower the grade boundaries to ensure fairness for all students.
Who Marks IB Exams?
Experienced teachers and subject experts, trained extensively by the IB, are responsible for marking exams. To maintain consistency and fairness, their work is regularly monitored and adjusted as needed.
E-Marking and Moderation Process
Most IB assessments are now e-marked, with student work being scanned and evaluated online. Internal assessments, such as coursework, are moderated to ensure consistency. If teachers' marks are too lenient or strict, the IB will adjust them to align with global standards.
Can You Appeal Your IB Results?
Yes, students have the option to appeal their grades through a process called enquiry upon results (EUR). If the review results in a grade change, students may be eligible for a refund. However, it’s important to note that grades can either increase or decrease after the review.