The IB Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a rigorous two year programme designed to prepare students aged 16 to 19 to succeed in their university studies and life beyond, by creating life-long learners who will become effective and efficient local and global community members. This is achieved by addressing students’ intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being.

IBDP graduates are given the tools to successfully study at universities all around the world, often with advanced credit. The programme equips students with a sense of preparedness, self-confidence, research skills and time-management skills; in addition to understanding the world around them and their responsibility towards it.

The curriculum

Diploma Programme students study six subjects (three at standard level and three at higher level) over two years

and complete three additional core requirements.

 



The Subject Courses and Levels Offered at CHS:

The subject courses offer a breadth of knowledge and understanding in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, the sciences, mathematics and the arts.

DP courses are offered at higher level (HL) or standard level (SL) and are chosen according to the needs, abilities and requirements of the IB and the Ministry of Education.

SL courses ensure students are exposed to a range of disciplines and HL courses allow students to spend more time with subjects they are more interested in by

exploring options in addition to the SL core curriculum. In this sense, all DP courses, regardless of whether they are SL or HL, are integral to the programme.

The IBDP Core:

* Theory of Knowledge (TOK): Theory of knowledge develops critical thinking, where students inquire into the nature of knowing and deepen their understanding of knowledge as a human construction.

* Extended Essay (EE): The extended essay requires students to engage in independent 4,000-word essay research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the DP subjects they are studying. It introduces students to the demands and rewards of independent work

* Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): CAS helps students develop their own identities in accordance with the ethical principles embodied in the IB mission statement and the IB learner profile.

It involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies throughout the DP. Students complete a wide variety of extracurricular, community service and athletic options to fulfill this requirement.

 

IBDP Assessment

Students take written examinations at the end of the programme, which are marked by external IB examiners.

Students also complete assessment tasks in the school, which are either initially marked by teachers and then moderated by external moderators or sent directly to external examiners.

External assessments, which take place in May, form the basis of the assessment for most courses, because of their high levels of objectivity and reliability.

They include: essays, structured problems, short-response questions, data-response questions, text-response questions, case-study questions and multiple-choice questions.

Meanwhile, Internal assessment includes: oral work in languages, laboratory work in the sciences, investigations in mathematics and artistic exhibitions.

The grades awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). Students can also be awarded up to three additional points for their combined results on TOK and the EE.

The diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance across the whole programme and to satisfactory participation in the CAS requirement.

The highest total that a DP student can be awarded is 45 points. Assessment is criterion-related, which means student performance is measured against specified assessment criteria based on the aims and objectives of each subject’s curriculum, rather than the performance of other students taking the same examinations.

How Colleges and Universities View the Diploma Programme

The DP is internationally recognized as representing one of the highest standards in university preparatory education.

Many colleges and universities have recognition policies on how they weigh it in admissions, advanced standing, college credit and scholarships.

International Baccalaureate (IB) student are distinctive and will bring a unique set of attributes to whatever university or college that they ultimately attend.

These high demand qualities include:

* Knowing how to do independent research

* Demonstrating a foreign language skill

* Contributing a global perspective to current events

* Giving back to the communities through volunteerism and community service

* Understanding the language, history and arts of diverse cultures, and approaching problems from multiple perspectives

* Having above-average time management skills and being well-prepared for the demands of university-level coursework.

* Having the ability to think critically and deeply to analyze situations and explore solutions.

 

The IBDP and Ministry of Education Equivalency

The diploma is equalized to the Jordanian General Secondary Education (Tawjihi) Certificate in either the science stream or the arts stream based on the following:

  • * Students must pass at least 6 subjects
  • * At least 2 of the six subjects must be at HL
  • * Mathematics and one science at either SL or HL must be passed
  • * Arabic language at either SL or HL must be passed for Jordanian and Arab students
  • * For full diploma students the minimum sum of their three HL subjects must be 12
  • * The passing mark for HL is 3/7 and for SL 2/7. If a student does not reach the passing mark for HL, it could be counted as a SL subject

 

Science Stream:

 

  • * Two of the six subjects must be at HL from Group 4 or one Group 4 subject at HL and Mathematics at HL.
  • * All students (diploma and course) must take TOK, CAS, Religion and Jordanian History.
  • * Minimum total of 21/42.

 

Art Stream:

 

  • * Two of the six subjects must be at HL from Group 3 or one Group 3 subject at HL and one language subject at HL or two language subjects at HL.
  • * All students (diploma and course) must take TOK, CAS, Religion and Jordanian History.
  • * Minimum total of 21/42.

 

Jordanian General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihi) percentage grade equivalency:





CAS