IB Frequently Asked Questions

What is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is a two-year course of study for Year 12 and 13 students. It emphasises high academic standards, critical thinking, intercultural understanding and respect for others.
Its broad curriculum ensures students are provided with a range of skills and knowledge that equips them well for the complex and global community in which they live.
The aims of the programme are to:
- Provide an internationally recognised qualification for entry into higher education.
- Educate the whole person, emphasising  intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth.
- Promote international understanding.
- Develop inquiry and thinking skills, and the capacity to reflect upon and to evaluate actions critically.
To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. 
For further information regarding the Diploma Programme click on ‘Diploma Programme at a Glance here

What is the International Baccalaureate Organisaton (IBO)?
The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) was established in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland and is a non-profit international educational foundation.
Its original purpose was to facilitate the international mobility of students preparing for university by providing schools with a curriculum and diploma recognized by universities around the world.
Since then its mission has expanded, and it now seeks to make an IB education available to students of all ages.
The IBO works with over 2000 schools in 125 different countries to offer the three IB programmes, Primary Years (PYP), MiddleYears (MYP) and Diploma (DP) to a total of  540 000 students.
There are a large number of schools offering the Diploma programme and it is the fastest growing qualification in the world. In particular the Asia Pacific region has seen a large increase in the number of schools offering this qualification.   
For information about the International Baccalaureate Organisation click on ‘IB at a Glance’ here

What subjects are available in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Qualification?
Students must choose one subject from each of six subject groups determined by the International Baccalaureate Organisation thus ensuring breadth of experience in all areas: languages, the experimental sciences, mathematics and the humanities.
The sixth subject may be an arts subject or the student may choose another subject from any of the other groups.
At least three subjects must be studied at a higher level (HL). 
The remaining subjects are studied at standard level (SL).
In addition to this, students must also take a critical thinking course called Theory of Knowledge (TOK), write a 4000 word research essay, the Extended Essay and be actively involved in a community service programme.
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS).  
Study of a foreign language can be commenced at Year 12 level and there is a variety of courses available to cater for the different levels of ability in mathematics.
A number of new initiatives are underway which involve new subjects in group 6 such as sports science, film and dance. There is only one Visual Arts course, the content of which is determined by the school.
In general, schools tend to be reasonably selective in the courses that are offered. 
For more detailed information regarding the core curriculum and subject groups click here

Will students still be able to do NCEA in Years 12 and 13?
Most New Zealand schools offering the diploma programme also offer NCEA at Levels 2 and 3.
Students complete Year 11 NCEA and then choose the qualification pathway most suited to their needs.
At the end of Year 12 it is possible to change from the diploma programme to NCEA if the course is proving difficult. This does not happen often. It is not possible to move into the diploma course at the beginning of Year 13.

Is the College planning to offer the IB Primary Years Prgramme and Middle Years Programme?
The College has no plans at this point to introduce these programmes. We are strongly committed to the Reggio Emilia approach at Y1-4 and the Integrative approach at Y5-8. These approaches dovetail perfectly.
Alongside our sound literacy and numeracy programmes, we want our students to have abundant, daily opportunities to wonder, to explore, to be curious, and to think. We want to help students to form and ask their own deep questions, and guide them to explore answers. With this in mind we have developed the Reggio Emilia and Integrative approaches, which go hand in hand with our strong programmes in literacy, numeracy, values and thinking.

Does IB cater for both able and less able students?
The IB Diploma Programme is designed for average to above average students who are self-motivated and independent learners. Any student capable of study at university is capable of obtaining a good pass in the IB diploma.
The rigorous standards and demanding workload require a sustained commitment to study, considerable organisation and initiative.
Most New Zealand schools offering this programme require students to have met certain standards and to have demonstrated a good work ethic prior to Year 12.

How does the IB assessment system work?
The IB Diploma subjects are assessed by a combination of external examinations held at the end of the two year programme, and internal assessment of coursework by the teachers responsible for evaluating students over the entire period of instruction.
Internally assessed work usually constitutes a minimum of 20% and maximum 50%  of the final grade.
Subjects such as visual arts, music and foreign languages use specialised forms of assessment appropriate to the particular subject.
Moderation of both internal and external assessment occurs.
Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum).
In order to be awarded the diploma, a student must meet defined standards and conditions, including a minimum total of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of the three diploma requirements:
Theory of Knowledge(TOK), the extended essay, and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS ).
The maximum diploma point score is 45.
TOK and the extended essay contribute up to three points to the overall score. 
A remark can be requested for a fee.
Internationally the success rate remains reasonably consistent at approximately 80%.
In 2006 Australasia achieved a success rate of 95.67%. Fewer than 1 per cent of students gain 45 points.
For further details of assessment click here

What are TOK, CAS and EE?
These three programmmes are at the heart of the Diploma qualification.
- TOK (Theory of Knowledge) is an interdisciplinary programme where students are encouraged to think about the strength and limitations of different ways of knowing. Critical reflection is a major element in the programme.

 - CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) gives students the opportunity for experiential learning which encourages personal growth through refelction.

 - In the Extended Essay students investigate a topic of special interest  and complete an essay of about 4,000 words, This is completed in their own time and should take about 40 hours over the two year programme.

Which other New Zealand schools offer this qualification?
Schools which offer IB Diploma programme include Kristin School, St Margaret’s College, Auckland International College, John McGlashan College, Diocesan School for Girls, St Kentigern College, Scots College and Nga Tawa College. There are 46 schools in Australia including the Methodist Ladies’ College, Geelong Grammar, Lauriston Girls’ School and Ravenswood School for Girls.
To  find out more about schools offering the IB diploma throughout the world click here 

Why has St Cuthbert’s added this qualification?
As announced by the Trust Board chairman, Mr Cameron Fleming, at the end of 2006, the investigation of the IB qualification formed part of the qualifications pathway review that the College undertook this year. The International Baccalaureate qualification has been chosen because it strongly supports our goal for our teaching and learning programmes: to develop students into successful, autonomous, independent learners who are able to think critically, caringly and creatively. In addition to this, its philosophy aligns closely with the values and beliefs articulated in our College Compass: 
           By love serve
           Striving for excellence 
           Developing all dimensions
           Building a connected community
           Pursuing innovation, valuing tradition
With increasing numbers of our students seeking entrance to international universities we must ensure that we offer a world class education-one that embodies the multidimensional nature of the College and its mission which is to create remarkable futures for our young women. Hence as part of this commitment, there is a need to make sure that the qualifications we are offering are the right ones for the school. This means ensuring that they address the identified needs of providing classroom programmes that open tertiary doors and enable our girls to thrive in the global society in which they live.
To view the IBO mission statement click here

What are the Advantages of the IB Diploma? 
It provides an internationally recognised pre-university qualification with an international  perspective. Students who have undertaken the IB Diploma course are extremely well prepared to enter universities both in New Zealand and internationally
It focuses on developing the whole person as a reflective and critical thinker with an understanding of intercultural differences
It is a qualification that has a compulsory core involving citizenship, critical thinking and theory of knowledge component. This provides recognition of the efforts of students who are actively involved in areas outside the academic arena
The College already has a sound basis in its Thinking and Values programmes to introduce the TOK and CAS components of the DP qualification 
- The breadth of the curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required for the complex world in which they live
- The broader grade band allows for greater recognition of high achievement
- Programmes are revised regularly using the expertise of teachers and examiners from different cultures and education systems
- Teachers have access to high quality professional development opportunities including international and electronic workshops 
- There will be more opportunities for teachers and students to share their expertise with an international audience
- The IBO has a well developed system for ensuring high standards are maintained within IB World Schools.
Click on  University of Auckland for further details of IB Diploma entrance requirements for courses with limited entry or http://www.ibo.org/country/   for IB Diploma recognition at international universities.

What will it cost? 
The student registration fee is US$123.
The subject fee is US$84
Hence the total for registration plus 6 subject fees is  US$627(approximately NZ$835) There is no fee for theory of knowledge or the extended essay assessment.
Fees for Y12 and 13 NCEA examinations are $75 per year which includes entry for up to 3 Scholarship subjects. Fees for individual Scholarship entry beyond three subjects is an extra $75 per entry.
Click here for further information regarding fees.

When will the IB Qualification be offered at the College?
IB will commence in 2010 with the first examinations being held at the end of 2011.

What subjects will be offered by the College for the Diploma?

What is the differenece between HL and SL courses?
At the Higher Level students study their course for 240 hours over the two years. Standard Level course are run for 150 hours. At the end of the first semester students will decide which three subjects they will study at higher level and which at the standard level. Some subjects such as Mathematical Studies and Ecosystems and Societies are offered only at the standard level.

What is ab initio?
This is an international languages course where the student has had little or no previous experience of the language. At the College French will be offered as the ab inito language. To be eligible to enter this course students must not have studied French after the end of Y9.

What subjects that the College currently offers are not included in the IB qualification?
Accounting, Art History, Classical Studies, Media Studies, Physical Education and Te Reo are not offered in IB.

Can a student do both IB and NCEA?

No. Students must select which course is more appropriate for them at the end of Y11. If a students commences the IB course and finds that it is not appropriate for her she is able to switch to NCEA. However, it is not possible for students in the Y12 NCEA course to opt into the IB Diploma qualification. 

How will my daughter make a decision about which is the more appropriate qualification for her?
The College has a robust system in place to assist students in making choices for their future qualification and careers pathways.All students in Y11 will be given opportunities to think about which qualification suits their individual learning styles and future study plans so they can make the most appropriate decision.

What happens if my daughter decides the Diploma programme is not for her?
Students studying for the IB Diploma are able to opt into the NCEA qualification at any time during Y12, The College has a strong pastoral guidance system which supports all students in making the most appropriate decisions about assessment and qualifications.　Any student who does not complete the full IB Diploma course will receive a letter stating that she has attempted part of the qualification.

For further information visit: the IB Website

Is the IB qualification accepted as sufficient for university entrance in NZ universities?
The IB Diploma is recognised by all New Zealand and most universities throughout the world including Oxford, Harvard, Yale, University College of London and the University of British Columbia. In addition some universities offer scholarships to IB graduates.