IB Diploma Requirements

In order to get an IB Diploma

  • You need to take 3 Higher Level (HL) classes and 3 Standard Level (SL) classes. 

    • Higher Level classes are two years long (Literature, Language & Literature, Chemistry, History, Film, Art, and Theater are all HL classes)

    • Standard Level classes are one year long (French, Spanish, Psychology,Sports, Exercise & Health Science, Math Analysis, Math Applications are all SL classes)

  • For each class, you need to complete all of the assessments.  Your final score for each assessment will be from 1 - 7 (failing to excellent)

  • You need a total of 24 points to get the IB Diploma.

  • Thus, 24/6 = an average of 4 out of 7 for each course.

  • 12 of these points must come from your 3 HL classes.

  • The maximum amount of points you can earn from exams is 42

In addition, you will need to complete

  • Theory of Knowledge (TOK). You will get an A, B, C, D, or E for this class. 

  • The Extended Essay (EE) (a research paper on an academic subject of your choice). You will get an A, B, C, D, or E for this class.

  • Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS). About one activity and reflection per month with one larger project within the two years. This is pass/fail based on meeting the learning outcomes.

Based on how well you do on the TOK and EE assessments, you can earn bonus points toward the DP. However, you cannot fail TOK, EE, or CAS and get the IB Diploma. A perfect score for the IB Diploma is thus 45 points.  However, remember that you only need 24 points to get the IB Diploma; no one is expecting perfection.