Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is IB?

The IB Program is recognized as a world‐class college preparatory program. Students are challenged to become independent inquirers through a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes the global nature of learning. The IB philosophy encourages students to become knowledgeable, inquirers, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, courageous, balanced and reflective individuals.

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968 as a non-profit educational foundation. International Schools got together to create the program intended to help internationally mobile students prepare for university through internationally standardized courses and assessments. Now, the IB works with 3,698 schools in 147 countries to offer IB program to approximately 1,151,000 students.

2. What is the difference between IB education and other curriculums?

The purpose of IB is to produce global citizens who are lifelong learners. The IB programme is concept based and in tune with the current real world scenarios. It has a broader spectrum of subjects that lead to all-round development. IB examinations test a student’s conceptual understanding, not their rote memory and speed. There are no formal examinations till the Middle Years Programme (Class 10).

The focus of the IB pedagogy is on ‘how to learn’ rather than ‘what to learn’. There are no prescribed textbooks; students learn from a variety of first hand and second hand sources such as subject experts, authors, global community etc. The IB programme may use the local curriculum as a base. For example, Hindi can be offered as a second language in the IB Diploma Programme.

3. What are the advantages of an IB education?

IB World Schools (the schools authorized to offer all three IB programmes) are subject to a strict accreditation process monitored by the IB, ensuring that schools provide a high-quality of education.
IB teaching methods and curriculums are completely research-based and drawn from the best educational practices from systems around the world.
IB students develop a sense of the world around them and their responsibility to it.

4. How does IB education foster a student’s personal and social-emotional development?

IB education promotes the development of a list of behaviors that is collectively known as the IB learner profile. IB education supports children to become inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, well-balanced and reflective.

5. Is IB recognised in India? What about global recognition?

IB is an academically challenging programme with rigorous standards that ensures universities and colleges around the world recognise it. Furthermore, IB Diploma Programme is rated on par with CBSE, ISCE, and other state boards by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is equivalent to CBSE’s 10+2 qualification and Middle Years Programme is equivalent to grade 10 Indian boards.

6. Do IB teachers receive special training?

All IB teachers receive professional development in IB’s approaches to teaching and approaches to learning from certified IB workshop leaders. This is a requirement for IB World Schools implementing the IB programmes.

7. Does IB have specific syllabus or books?

IB schools do not focus on learning by rote or following a set of predefined textbooks but rather learning and understanding the concepts being taught in classes. The students are provided free access to whatever resources they may require and the courses and assessment are designed to maximize understanding of the course.

8. What are the various programmes in IB?

The PYP or Primary Years Programme is designed for students aged 3–12 (preschool and primary grades).

The MYP or Middle Years Programme spans students aged 11–16.

The DP or Diploma Programme (DP) and Career related Programme (CP) make up the last two years of high school, intended for students aged 16–19.

9. How can I, as a parent, support my child?

Help them with their self management (organizational) skills by assuring that their homework is done (check their homework planner)
Inquire into what they are learning and communicate your knowledge
Support what they are learning in school by helping them at home (example: when they learn to read the clock at school, ask them to tell you what time it is at home)
Support classroom learning through family field trips
Reflect on their portfolio together

10. How can I learn more about the IB?

Attend school meetings and events regularly.
Get in touch with the programme coordinators
Visit the IBO website

11. Are there external assessments in IB?

There are no external assessments after completion of PYP.

From 2016, IB has introduced an optional eAssessment model for the final year of the MYP. The eAssessment provides a balanced and age-appropriate strategy that schools can use to validate student achievement. Students demonstrate their understanding and skills through classroom performance, onscreen final examinations and a personal project conducted over a period of time. Students who undertake the eAssessment will receive IB Course Results and the IB MYP Certificate.

The Diploma Programme uses both internal and external assessments.

The external assessments in DP include: