Is the IB an Exam You Need to Excel in Consistently?

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Basic Information About the IB

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an internationally recognized educational program that provides a pathway to universities worldwide. It is offered in around 150 countries and over 5,000 schools.

The IB consists of four educational programs, with the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) for students aged 16-19 being one of the most rigorous. The IB DP includes three core elements (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service) and six subject groups (language, social studies, science, math, arts, etc.). It is a demanding two-year program.

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1) Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

• TOK encourages students to reflect on the nature of knowledge and how it is acquired and used.
• The course involves discussions, essay writing, and presentations, helping students develop critical thinking and metacognitive skills.

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2) Extended Essay (EE)

• The EE requires students to conduct independent research on a topic of their interest from one of the six subject groups, culminating in a 4,000-word academic essay.
• The process spans over a year and involves at least 40 hours of work, concluding with a viva voce (reflection session) with a supervisor.
• The EE enhances students' research and academic writing skills, providing excellent preparation for university.

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3) Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

• CAS encourages students to engage in a variety of extracurricular activities.
• It comprises three strands: Creativity (arts and creative thinking), Activity (physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle), and Service (volunteering and community service).
• The balanced engagement in these areas promotes personal development and a well-rounded lifestyle.

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Consistent Effort is Key for Success in the IB Program

Occasionally, students express concerns like, "I'm struggling in my first year of the IB, but I plan to work harder from now on!" While this is commendable, achieving a standard university admission might be challenging if the first year's performance is not strong.

Many students from IB schools in Korea, such as NLCS Jeju, Branksome Hall Asia, and Dwight School Seoul, proceed to universities in the US. Completing an IB program often leads to admissions in universities in the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore, whereas an AP program is more aligned with admissions in the US due to matching timelines.

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The IB exams are held in two sessions: May and November, with results released in July and January, respectively.

Before the Final Score is released, typically at the end of the first year or the beginning of the second year, teachers provide a predicted score based on students' performance and internal assessments.

The IB Predicted Score is crucial for university applications. Hence, maintaining good relationships with teachers is vital as the predicted scores are subjective.

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The Impact of Predicted Scores on UK vs. US University

Admissions If applying to UK universities, a Conditional Offer can be received based on the Predicted Score. This offer implies that admission is contingent on maintaining the predicted performance until the Final Score is released.

Most UK universities, except Oxbridge, finalize admissions by January, requiring submission of the Final Score by then. If rejected based on the Predicted Score, a Final Score will not overturn the decision, highlighting the importance of the first year in the IB DP.

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For US university applications, the IB DP schedule is less advantageous as most applications close before the Final Score is available, with many early decision deadlines in early November.

Therefore, students often submit Predicted Scores and might not include the Final Score, emphasizing the importance of GPA and SAT scores. This explains why consistent effort throughout the IB DP is crucial.

The IB DP requires sustained effort across subjects, making early and consistent preparation essential to avoid last-minute stress.

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