IB recognition resource library

Guides about the IB

What is an IB education?
The IB learner profile

Guides for Diploma Programme (DP)

DP: A guide for universities

DP: A guide for universities (Arabic)

Guide to curriculum review and development in the DP

Guide to assessment in the DP

DP standard level and higher level courses

Increasing access to the DP

Guides for Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Guide to the MYP

IB MYP course results and IB MYP Certificate

Guides for Career-related Programme (CP)

CP higher education guide

CP information for university admissions officers

CP admissions officer letter
CP guide for employers
CP core guide

Please read our regional recognition policies for universities below.

Overview
Australia
Canada
India
UK
USA

Find MYP subject briefs by subject catergory below.

• Arts [580kB] 
• Design [580kB] 
• Individuals and societies [580kB] 
• Interdisciplinary learning [570kB] 
• Language acquisition [580kB] 
• Language and literature [580kB] 
• Mathematics [580kB] 
• Personal project [580kB] 
• Physical and health education [580kB] 
• Sciences [580kB] 

DP subject briefs: COVID-19 adaptations for May 2021 and November 2021

As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the IB has decided to make appropriate adaptations to May 2021 and November 21 assessments, whilst maintaining the coverage of learning objectives for each subject. Therefore, the tables in each of the Subject Briefs below  which state the Marks, Weightings and Examination Lengths for a normal session will not apply for these two upcoming exam sessions. We have therefore created this reference document, covering all subjects, which summarises:

• adjustments made to examination times for components that have been adapted for May and November 2021
• modified marks and weightings, where appropriate and applicable, for components adapted for May and November 2021.

To ensure the continued quality of subject-specific and programme-wide student outcomes, all weightings have been carefully evaluated to ensure equity and reliability for grade award.

Where there have been no adaptations in a subject, the established guide marks and weightings have not been changed. For subjects that do have adaptations for M21/N21, these principles have guided the determination of weightings:

• They are proportional to the M21/N21 adaptations within each subject.
• The necessary balance between externally and internally-assessed components, including both examinations and coursework components, has been accounted for.
• Differentiation between standard and higher level (SL/HL), where appropriate, has been maintained.

As a result of the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the IB has decided to make appropriate adaptations to May 2022 and November 2022 assessments.

The adjustments are the same to those in May 2021 and November to provide a consistency of approach for schools and also universities.

The only exception is where subject curriculum is being examined for the first time, e.g. Economics HL/SL. Information on these adaptations can be found here and for those subjects supercede 2021 adaptations. The document should be read in conjunction with the link above in the 2021 section.

For more information about our DP subject briefs, please click the links below for SL/HL.

Diploma Programme (DP) subject briefs: SL & HL

School-based Syllabus

An SBS is a DP course that has been proposed and developed, in close collaboration with the IB, by an IB World School that has completed at least two examination sessions. An SBS provides an opportunity for a school to develop a course that is not otherwise offered by the IB and that meets the particular needs of their students. An SBS must be officially approved by the IB before it may be offered by a school.

• Art history
• Astronomy
• Brazilian social studies
• Classical Greek and Roman studies
• Food science and technology
• Marine science
• Modern history of Kazakhstan
• Political thought
• Turkey in the 20th century
• World arts and cultures

Read more about our alumni testimonials here.

Guide for international students applying to Australia

Guide for international students applying to Canada

Guide for international students applying to Germany

Guide for international students applying to Hong Kong

Guide for international students applying to the Netherlands

Guide for international students applying to the UK

Guide for international students applying to the USA

Stanford University video series

Meet university admissions officers from institutions accepting IB students from around the world. They discuss their perspective of the IB and how prepares students for university success

View university testimonials on Vimeo and YouTube.