<p>hey guys, ill be starting the two year IB program next fall and I'm wondering about a couple of things:</p>
<p>1) anyone have any helpful advice for getting through the program?
2) how much does completion of the diploma help in the college admissions process for an international student looking to study in the US?
3) what are the highest scores one can get? (overall and individual class-wise)
4) what exactly are the exams and when does one take them?</p>
<p>thanks a lot!!!!!!</p>
<p>
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1) anyone have any helpful advice for getting through the program?
[/quote]
Procrastinate and you will regret it. Learn good BSing skills.
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2) how much does completion of the diploma help in the college admissions process for an international student looking to study in the US?
[/quote]
Being in the IB program helps. The Diploma doesn't, except for credit/placement.
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3) what are the highest scores one can get? (overall and individual class-wise)
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The highest score on an exam, which is composed of both internal (25%) and external (75%) factors, is a 7. The highest total score is 45, which would consist of 6 7's and the three extra points from the TOK essay and Extended Essay.
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4) what exactly are the exams and when does one take them?
[/quote]
The exams are intended to test your knowledge of material through its application. Unlike AP exams, IB exams rarely ask for regurgitation, and multiple choice is limited to a section of science exams. Standard Level exams are taken in May of your junior year, and Higher Level exams are taken in May of your senior year. Higher Level exams also contain "Options," of which your school usually teaches you 2-3; these go into greater depth about a particular aspect of the subject.</p>
<p>Kemet's advice/explanation is pretty good, the only thing I would want to amend is:</p>
<p>"Standard Level exams are taken in May of your junior year, and Higher Level exams are taken in May of your senior year."</p>
<p>While one cannot take HL exams (well you can <em>take</em> them, but you must retake them senior year for credit, and since they're two year courses, few people are ready take take them after junior year) earlier than senior year, you are also only allowed to use up to 2 SL exams from junior year. Since a diploma usually involves 3 SL subjects (though you can have 4 HL/ 2 SL, as I do), people generally take at least one additional SL subject senior year.</p>