The system used for internal purposes during the course is that employed by the International Baccalaureate
Organisation in the award of the Diploma. Each of the six subjects studied is graded on a 1-7 scale as follows:
| Grade Description |
| 7 |
Excellent |
3 |
Mediocre |
| 6 |
Very Good |
2 |
Poor |
| 5 |
Good |
1 |
Very poor |
| 4 |
Satisfactory |
Award of the Diploma
The IB Diploma will be awarded to candidates who in the examinations obtain a total points score of 24 points or more.
| This total must be achieved in conformity with the following provisions: |
| a. |
Higher level subjects: in principle the candidate should achieve a
Grade 4 or above in each Higher level subject. Nevertheless, ONE Grade 3 (but not a Grade 2, nor a Grade 1)
will be acceptable if compensated by Grade 5 or above in another subject offered at Higher level. |
| b. |
Standard level subjects: results of subjects offered at this level must not include:
1. A Grade 1
2. More than ONE Grade 2 |
| c. |
Overall results: this must not include
1. More than three Grade 3's
2. More than one Grade 3 if there is a Grade 2 at Standard level. |
Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay
In Theory of Knowledge, written work completed during the course is graded externally. Presentations in
class are assessed at St. Clare's. Extended Essays are graded externally.
| Each is graded on one of five bands: |
| Band A |
Work of an excellent standard |
| Band B |
Work of a good standard |
| Band C |
Work of a satisfactory standard |
| Band D |
Work of a mediocre standard |
| Band E |
Work of a poor standard |
Arriving at a Total Points Score
The total number of bonus points awarded is determined according to the following matrix.
|
Theory of Knowledge |
| Extended Essay |
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| A |
+3 |
+3 |
+2 |
+2 |
+1 |
| B |
+3 |
+2 |
+1 |
+1 |
0 |
| C |
+2 |
+1 |
+1 |
0 |
0 |
| D |
+2 |
+1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| E |
+1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
F |
For example, a candidate who achieves level B for Theory of Knowledge and level C for the Extended Essay
will be awarded one bonus point. Candidates who achieve level E for both Theory of Knowledge and the Extended
Essay will be awarded F for their bonus score. The award F is a failing condition for the Diploma.
The combination of points for subjects and bonus points means that the maximum possible points score for the
Diploma is 45.
Internally Awarded Grades
During the course, work is graded on the IB system and the grades form part of the student's internal record.
These internally awarded grades appear on the transcripts issued at regular intervals throughout the course.
These internal grades form the basis of the predicted grades for university applications and for the IB Organisation.
| Internal grades are awarded as follows: |
| a. |
Test Grades - awarded on the basis of performances in the tests held in November and March
of the first year and November of the second year. |
| b. |
Course Grades - awarded at the end of each term on course work done during the term. They represent an
average grade for oral and written work actually produced by the student. |
| c. |
Term Grades - an overall grade for both course work and test or exam performance. |
| d. |
Exam Grades - for performance in year examinations and 'mock' examinations. |
Transcripts
These give a record of grades achieved during the course, along with activities taken. They are produced at the end
of each term, and sent to parents with the reports. They are suitable for sending to universities e.g. in the United
States.
