IB assessment
Assessment in IB studies
Each course will be assessed upon completion. The role of assessment is to provide students with feedback on how well they have met the objectives of the course and on their progress in that subject.
Assessment in Pre-IB
A school year is divided into five periods. Each period ends with an examination week after which students receive grades. In the national Finnish curriculum and in the Pre-Diploma year the scale of grades used in numerical assessment is 4–10.
Grade |
|
10 |
excellent knowledge and skills |
9 |
very good |
8 |
good |
7 |
satisfactory |
6 |
moderate |
5 |
adequate |
4 |
fail |
Assessment in Diploma programme
All IB Diploma courses are assessed numerically with a grade for student's skills and knowledge. Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay are assessed with the scale A-E. The scale of grades used in numerical assessment is 1-7.
Grade |
|
1 |
very poor |
2 |
poor |
3 |
mediocre |
4 |
satisfactory |
5 |
good |
6 |
very good |
7 |
excellent |
Numerical grades are given after each period. The students also receive a grade for their effort during the courses. The scale is:
Efforts |
|
A |
excellent performance: very active in class, (home)work always done and positive attitude, helps others |
B |
good performance: mostly active in class, (home)work nearly always done, positive influence on class |
C |
satisfactory performance: average activity level in class, (home)work often undone, not very keen on studying |
D |
poor performance: fairly passive in class even if participates occasionally, (home)work seldom done |
These grades are given after each period.
TOK and EE |
|
A |
excellent performance |
B |
good performance |
C |
satisfactory performance |
D |
mediocre performance |
E |
elementary performance |
Official IBO Assessment
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is internationally recognised for its high academic standards and varied curriculum. At the end of the three-year degree, students sit the final exams and receive an IB Diploma. In addition to the final examinations, the IB Diploma is assessed by means of essays and oral examinations written during the IB years.
Grading system
Each academic subject is ultimately graded on a 1 – 7 scale (“1” is very poor, “7” is excellent). TOK and Extended Essays’ assessment uses an A- E scale (“A” is Excellent, “E” is Elementary). The maximum points a candidate can achieve is 45 (6 x 7 plus 3 bonus points for the combination of TOK and Extended Essay). The bonus points will be awarded according to the following matrix:
TOK/EE |
Grade A |
Grade B |
Grade C |
Grade D |
Grade E |
Grade A |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
Failing condition |
Grade B |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Failing condition |
Grade C |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Failing condition |
Grade D |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Failing condition |
Grade E |
Failing condition |
Failing condition |
Failing condition |
Failing condition |
Failing condition |
The minimum requirement to qualify for the IB Diploma is 24 points, but there are a number of other conditions which must be met to qualify (see below). However, it is important to remember that to gain acceptance at prestigious institutions or in high demand courses, the student will need to have in excess of 30 points. If a student intends to continue in Higher Education, it is essential to find out the particular requirements well in advance. A consultation with the Guidance Counsellor at the earliest possible time is strongly recommended.
Final IB exams and course work
The Final IB Examinations take place in May of the second Diploma year. Students have the same timetable and same exams as all IB schools in the northern hemisphere. The exam questions are sent to the school by the IBO and assessed by external examiners. Students are required to take six subjects to earn their Diploma and the cost of the Final Examinations is covered by the school. The school will also cover the cost of retake exams until a candidate earns their Diploma (a maximum of two future sessions; the number of retake exams must be discussed with the coordinators)
Group 1 |
Assessment component |
Weighting |
Language A (May 2021 onwards) Finnish Russian self-taught |
HL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Higher Level Essay Individual Oral
SL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Individual Oral |
35% 25% 20% 20%
35% 35% 30% |
|
|
|
English A Lang and Lit (May 2021 onwards)
|
HL: Paper 1 Paper 2 HL Essay Individual Oral
SL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Individual oral |
35% 25% 20% 20%
35% 35% 30% |
Group 2 |
|
|
Language B |
Paper 1 Paper 2 (reading + listening) Individual oral assessment |
25% 50% 25% |
Language ab initio
|
Paper 1 Paper 2 (reading + listening) Individual oral assessment |
25% 50% 25% |
Group 3 |
|
|
Economics |
HL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Commentaries SL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Commentaries |
30% 30% 20% 20%
40% 40% 20% |
History |
HL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Historical Investigation SL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Historical Investigation |
20% 25% 35% 20%
30% 45% 25% |
Psychology |
HL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Experimental Study SL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Experimental Study |
35% 25% 20% 20%
50% 25% 25% |
Group 4 |
|
|
Biology |
HL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Investigations SL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Investigations |
36% 44% 20%
36% 44% 20% |
Chemistry
|
HL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Investigations SL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Investigations |
36% 44% 20%
36% 44% 20% |
Physics |
HL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Investigations SL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Investigations |
36% 44% 20%
36% 44% 20%
|
Group 5 |
|
|
AA AI |
HL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Exploration SL: Paper 1 Paper 2 Exploration |
30% 30% 20% 20%
40% 40% 20% |
Mock exams
Each year Diploma Programme students take part in exams, where all the material studied up to that point is examined. In mock exams the students get used to the form and procedure of the final Diploma Programme examinations.
If you fail an exam, you may rewrite them on certain dates given by the school. Contact the IB Coordinator and the subject teacher through Wilma at least three days before the examination date.
Form of the IB Diploma document
- Successful IB Diploma candidates will receive an IB Diploma and the document Diploma Results listing the total diploma score, the subject grades, the points awarded for the combination of Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay, and the completion of a CAS programme.
- A bilingual diploma will be awarded to a successful candidate who:
- completes two languages selected from the studies in language and literature subject group with the award of a grade 3 or higher in both languages
- completes one of the subjects from the individuals and societies, or sciences subject groups in a language that is not the same as the candidate's nominated studies in language and literature language
- attains a grade 3 or higher in both the studies in language and literature language and the subject from individuals and societies, or sciences subject groups.
Rewriting a diploma or certificate
A student who has failed the Diploma may rewrite it either in the November session or the following year (May). If the failure is a result of more than two subject scores, the school strongly recommends that the retake take place in the following May session.
The notification for the November session must be made to the IB Coordinator within 14 days of the issuing of the results. Notifications for the following May examination session must be made by the 1st November.
Award of the diploma
- All assessment components for each of the six subjects and the additional IB Diploma requirements must be completed in order to qualify for the award of the IB Diploma.
- The IB Diploma is awarded based on performance across all parts of the DP.
- Each subject is graded 1–7, with 7 being the highest grade.
- These grades are also used as points (that is, 7 points for a grade 7, 6 points for a grade 6, and so on) in determining if the diploma can be awarded.
- TOK and the EE are graded A–E, with A being the highest grade. These two grades are then combined in the diploma points matrix to contribute between 0 and 3 points to the total.
- CAS is not assessed but must be completed in order to pass the diploma. See section A2.2.2.
- The overall maximum points from subject grades, TOK and the EE is therefore 45: ((6 × 7) + 3).
- The minimum threshold for the award of the diploma is 24 points. If a candidate scores less than 24 points, the diploma is not awarded.
- The additional requirements for the award of the diploma are as follows.
- CAS requirements have been met.
- There is no “N” awarded for TOK, the EE or for a contributing subject.
- There is no grade E awarded for TOK and/or the EE.
- There is no grade 1 awarded in a subject/level.
- There are no more than two grade 2s awarded (HL or SL).
- There are no more than three grade 3s or below awarded (HL or SL).
- The candidate has gained 12 points or more on HL subjects. (For candidates who register for four HL subjects, the three highest grades count.)
- The candidate has gained 9 points or more on SL subjects. (Candidates who register for two SL subjects must gain at least 5 points at SL.)
- The candidate has not received a penalty for academic misconduct from the final award committee.
- A bilingual diploma will be awarded to a successful candidate who fulfills one or more of the following criteria.
- Completion of two languages selected from the studies in language and literature subject group with the award of a grade 3 or higher in both languages
- Completion of one of the subjects from the individuals and societies, or sciences subject groups in a language that is not the same as the candidate's nominated studies in language and literature language
- Attainment of a grade 3 or higher in both the studies in language and literature language and the subject from individuals and societies, or sciences subject groups
- The failing conditions for the May 2025 session:
- CAS requirements have not been met.
- Candidate’s total points are fewer than 24.
- An N has been given for theory of knowledge, extended essay or for a contributing subject.
- A grade E has been awarded for one or both of theory of knowledge and the extended essay.
- There is a grade 1 awarded in a subject/level.
- Grade 2 has been awarded three or more times (HL or SL).
- Grade 3 or below has been awarded four or more times (HL or SL).
- Candidate has gained fewer than 12 points on HL subjects (for candidates who register for four HL subjects, the three highest grades count)
- Candidate has gained fewer than 9 points on SL subjects (candidates who register for two SL subjects must gain at least 5 points at SL)
- There is no limit to the sessions in which to satisfy the requirements for the award of the IB Diploma.