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The International Baccalaureate (IB) was founded in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland, by a group of international educators who sought to create a standardized and inclusive curriculum to cater to the needs of globally mobile families, especially diplomats, businesspeople, and expatriates.
Initially, the IB offered only the Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 16 to 19. The founders envisioned a curriculum that would foster international-mindedness, intercultural understanding, and critical thinking, while maintaining high academic standards recognized by universities worldwide.
In the 1990s, the IB expanded to include younger age groups. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) was launched in 1994, followed by the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in 1997. The Career-related Programme (CP) was introduced in 2012 to cater to students interested in vocational education alongside academic learning.
Throughout its history, the IB has remained committed to non-profit, mission-driven principles. It has developed partnerships with universities and ministries of education worldwide to ensure alignment with national education goals while maintaining its global identity.
Today, the IB is recognized for its excellence, global reach, and emphasis on producing well-rounded, ethically grounded, and globally competent learners. With more than 1.95 million students enrolled worldwide, it continues to shape the future of international education.
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) oversees and governs the implementation of the IB curriculum. Schools must become IB World Schools to offer any of the four IB programmes. This status is granted after a rigorous authorization process that includes staff training, curriculum alignment, infrastructure evaluation, and mission compatibility.
Schools maintain their IB status through periodic evaluations every five years, during which they are assessed on compliance with IB standards and practices, teaching quality, and curriculum delivery. Only authorized schools can present students for IB examinations.
Affiliation provides schools with access to:
IB is affiliated with major international educational organizations and enjoys recognition from ministries of education, national examination boards, and global universities.
Universities around the world value IB qualifications for their academic rigor, holistic assessment methods, and the strong profile of graduates. Some institutions offer college credit or advanced standing for high scores in IB Diploma subjects.
Affiliation with the IB also enhances a school’s reputation, demonstrating its commitment to global education, inquiry-based learning, and student-centered pedagogy.
IB examinations occur annually, typically in May (main session) and November (for some southern hemisphere schools). Assessments are based on a combination of internal assessments (IAs) and external examinations.
Internal assessments are marked by teachers and moderated by external IB examiners. They include:
External exams involve written papers and are graded by trained IB examiners around the world. Each subject is graded on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest.
The Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and CAS components collectively contribute to 3 additional points, making the maximum possible 45 points for the Diploma Programme.
The Career-related Programme (CP) uses a similar model, integrating career study assessments with academic components.
All exams are criterion-referenced, ensuring fairness and objectivity in student performance evaluations. The results are globally benchmarked and trusted by leading higher education institutions.
IB assessments are known for emphasizing conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and effective communication, rather than rote memorization.
To earn the IB Diploma, students must:
Failure in any core component (EE, TOK, or CAS) may disqualify the student from earning the Diploma. Students must also avoid academic dishonesty and meet all submission deadlines.
Students who do not fulfill all criteria may still receive individual IB Course Certificates for successfully completed subjects.
The maximum score is 45 points (6 subjects × 7 points + 3 core points). A score above 40 is considered exceptional and is recognized by top universities worldwide.
For the Career-related Programme (CP), passing requires completion of:
IB’s flexible yet rigorous system ensures a fair representation of students’ academic and personal growth.
