Home / International Baccalaureate
01 — Basics
The IB Diploma Programme, often referred to as the international baccalaureate, is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16 to 19. At VIII PALO it is delivered in years 3 and 4 of secondary school, after the two-year preDP preparatory stage.
The term “international baccalaureate” does not refer only to the final examinations. The IB DP is a complete educational programme that combines the study of six subjects with the development of research skills, critical thinking, communication, independent planning and responsibility for one’s own learning.
Assessment covers both the examinations at the end of the programme and the essays, projects, research, oral presentations and other tasks completed during the two years. Some components are marked directly by IB examiners, others by the school’s teachers and then moderated by the IB.
02 — Candidate profile
The IB Diploma Programme may be the right choice for students who:
Starting the programme does not require final decisions about a future field of study. It does require informed subject choices, readiness to accept feedback, meeting deadlines and following the principles of academic honesty.
03 — Changing school
The IB Diploma Programme at VIII PALO is also an attractive option for students who, after two years at another secondary school, decide that their earlier profile, teaching style or school environment does not match their needs and ambitions.
Students can join the first year of the IB DP, i.e. year 3 of secondary school, after completing the first two years of secondary education or an equivalent stage. There is therefore no need to start secondary school again or to repeat years 1 and 2.
Changing school at this stage can mean the start of a new, more consciously chosen chapter of education: with an individual set of subjects, most of them taught in English, and a stronger emphasis on independence, research work and preparation for university.
Admission of an external candidate depends on their previous results, language preparation, readiness to meet the demands of the programme and the possibility of arranging a valid set of subjects available in a given year group.
04 — History
The IB Diploma Programme was created in 1968 as the first programme offered by the International Baccalaureate. Its aim was to give students a balanced education, to make it easier to move between countries and education systems and to support international understanding.
Since then the programme has grown into a global education system delivered by state, private and international schools all over the world.
VIII PALO was authorised by the International Baccalaureate in January 2011 and operates as IB World School no. 006265.
Teaching of the IB Diploma Programme began in the 2011/2012 school year. The first examination session for VIII PALO students took place in May 2013. Since then, successive year groups have prepared here for the IB diploma and for applications to universities in Poland and abroad.
05 — Benefits
The programme develops the skills needed in higher education: finding information independently, analysing sources and data, writing longer papers, formulating research questions, building arguments and presenting the results of one’s own work.
Students take six subjects of their choice from different fields, three or four of them at Higher Level. This keeps a broad general education while allowing them to go deeper into the areas that matter most for their interests and further plans.
The final result does not depend on a single exam. Over two years students prepare research papers, projects, oral presentations, experiments, analyses or portfolios — depending on the nature of the subjects they have chosen.
The IB diploma is widely recognised by universities around the world. Every year more than 4,500 universities in over 110 countries and territories receive the results of IB candidates. Detailed requirements, expected subjects and minimum scores are set individually by each university.
In Poland the IB diploma is recognised by law as a document confirming secondary education. It also allows students to take part in admissions to Polish universities. Each university and degree programme sets its own rules for converting results and its own required subjects, so these should be checked before choosing SL and HL courses.
06 — Structure
The IB Diploma Programme consists of six chosen subjects and three compulsory core elements:
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) develops the ability to reflect critically on knowledge, on the ways it is justified and on the role of evidence, language and different perspectives.
The Extended Essay (EE) is an independent research paper of up to 4,000 words, written under the guidance of a supervising teacher.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) covers creative pursuits, physical activity and community engagement. CAS is not graded, but completing it is a condition for receiving the diploma.
Detailed information about the six subject groups, SL and HL levels and the courses available at VIII PALO can be found on the School offer page.
07 — Scoring
Grading scale for each subject
Points from six subjects
Extra points for TOK and EE
Highest possible score
Each of the six subjects is graded from 1 to 7, giving a total of up to 42 points. Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay can add a maximum of 3 further points. The highest possible score is therefore 45 points.
To receive the diploma a student needs at least 24 points and must meet the remaining conditions set by the IB, including the completion of all core elements of the programme.
Admissions
IB World School 006265
VIII Private Academic Secondary School in Kraków
IB Diploma Programme
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