What is the IB? A complete guide to the International Baccalaureate
What is the International Baccalaureate (IB)? An overview of the four IB programmes, how the Diploma Programme works, its six subject groups, the DP core, scoring out of 45, and who it suits.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a globally recognised education framework run by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), taught in over 5,000 schools across 160+ countries. When people say "the IB" they usually mean the two-year, pre-university Diploma Programme (DP). In reality the IB is a continuum of four programmes spanning early childhood to the end of secondary school. This guide explains what the IB is, how the Diploma Programme is structured and scored, and who it suits.
The four IB programmes
- PYP (Primary Years Programme): ages 3-12, an inquiry-based primary curriculum.
- MYP (Middle Years Programme): ages 11-16, an interdisciplinary middle-school framework.
- DP (Diploma Programme): ages 16-19, the two-year pre-university diploma — by far the most widely known IB programme.
- CP (Career-related Programme): ages 16-19, a career-focused pathway offered in fewer schools.
How the Diploma Programme works
DP students take one subject from each of six groups: studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies (economics, history, psychology...), sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, ESS...), mathematics (AA or AI) and the arts or a second elective. At least three subjects are taken at Higher Level (HL) and the rest at Standard Level (SL). Alongside the six subjects sit three core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service).
Scoring: out of 45
Each of the six subjects is graded 1-7, giving a base of 42 points. The TOK and Extended Essay combination adds up to 3 bonus points, for a maximum of 45. A diploma requires a minimum of 24 points plus completion of the core and no failing conditions. For a full breakdown see our guide on how IB diploma scoring works.
What makes the IB distinctive
The IB rewards skills and inquiry over rote content. Exam questions are built around command terms (evaluate, discuss, explain...) and marking measures the ability to apply knowledge to new contexts. Internal Assessments (IAs) — coursework marked partly in school — count for roughly 20-30% of each subject, so a grade never rests on a single exam day. Compared with A-Levels (deep but narrow) and AP (flexible, course-by-course), the IB combines breadth, a compulsory research component and the core.
Who is the IB for?
The IB rewards students aiming for competitive universities who can manage a heavy writing and research load and strong time management. Students who prefer to specialise deeply in a few subjects may find A-Levels a better fit. Whatever the subject, targeted IB tutoring is most valuable at the IA and final-exam stages.