The IB Diploma Programme at BELS
The IB Diploma Programme is portrayed in the shape of a hexagon with the six academic areas around a core. Diploma students are required to do a minimum of six subjects, one subject from each of the six subject groups represented on a hexagon. Students choose one subject from each of subject groups 1 to 5, thereby ensuring breadth of experience in Languages, Humanities, the Experimental Sciences and Mathematics.
Group 6 represents the Arts subjects but in recognition that some specialization will be needed for certain university courses, it is possible to elect to take a further subject from Groups 2, 3 or 4 instead of taking the Arts. At least three must be at the Higher Level with the remaining at the Standard Level. Higher Level courses cover 240 hours of teaching time while standard level subjects cover 150 hours over the two year period.
In addition students must fulfil the requirements of the three compulsory components that lie at the core of the hexagon: the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS).
The Core of the Hexagon: CAS, TOK and the Extended Essay
To gain a Diploma, students must complete the CAS, TOK and Extended Essay components. This is where the IB comes into its own: it is not just about narrow academic disciplines. The Extended Essay is not timetabled (see below), but there is an allocation for TOK and CAS.
(CAS) Creativity, Activity and Service involves participation in community service and for example, plays, productions and sports. Students are expected to document 150 CAS hours during their 11th& 12th grade years.
Students demonstrate the quality and breadth of their achievements outside of the classroom in the three areas. The TOK (Theory of Knowledge) course is the glue that holds the IB together. It requires that students develop as thinkers over the course and then write an essay as well as a presentation.
The Extended Essay is an original, fully annotated work of 4000 words (maximum).
What is the IB Mission?
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme?
The IB Diploma Programme is a curriculum designed for well-motivated 16-19 year olds in which they study six academic subjects in addition to complementing a number of “core’ requirements. It is a pathway to the world’s finest universities. The course was initiated in 1968 but has been gathering momentum as schools and universities world-wide recognize the strengths of such a holistic education.
Source: IBO.org
BELS and the IB Diploma Programme
All students in grades eleven and twelve are required to participate in the IB programme. Students must take examinations in six IB subject areas, as well as additional requirements of three compulsory components.
Students will also complete their Turkish National Examinations as well as the IB Diploma. Students must successfully pass the Diploma Programme in order to qualify for their High School Diploma. In order to pass the IB Diploma, students must fulfill of the following criteria:
- Achieve a minimum of 24 points (maximum points score for the Programme is 45) plus successfully complete all Core sections – CAS, TOK and the Extended Essay.
- Achieve at least 12 points in their three HL subjects with a minimum score of 3 per subject
- Achieve a minimum score of 2 in each of their three SL subjects
OR Achieve a minimum of 28 points on their Diploma.
What is special about IB assessment?
- Diploma Programme assessment includes both final examinations, which are externally graded and internal assessment undertaken by the teacher to IBcriteria and then externally moderated by the IB.
- All 4,000 examiners are ‘quality checked’ through a process of moderation.
- The IB undertakes random inspections of schools during exams.
- Diploma Programme assessment – principles and practice – available on ibo.org
IB Results 2012 – 19
| Diploma Pass Rate | BELS | Worldwide |
| 2019 (55 students) | 100% | 80% |
| 2018 (32 students) | 100% | 82% |
| 2017 (32 students) | 100% | 78% |
| 2016 (28 students) | 100% | 79% |
| 2015 (43 students) | 97.7% | 80% |
| 2014 (46 students) | 100% | 80% |
| 2013 (58 students) | 98.3% | 79% |
| 2012 (55 students) | 82% | 80% |
|
Average IB Score |
BELS | Worldwide |
| 2019 | 33 | 29 |
| 2018 | 34 | 29 |
| 2017 | 34 | 30 |
| 2016 | 34 | 29 |
| 2015 | 34 | 30 |
| 2014 | 35 | 20 |
| 2013 | 34 | 29 |
| 2012 | 32 | 30 |
n.b 2012 was the inaugural year for the DP Programme at BELS
Which Diploma subjects are offered at BELS?
Group 1: Language A
First language courses including the study of selections of world literature.
World Literature in Turkish (HL/SL), English Language and Literature (HL), English Literature and Performance (SL)
Group 2: Language B, and Ab Initio Language
Second modern language courses are for various levels of proficiency.
German B (HL / SL)
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Turkey in the Twentieth Century (SL),
Economics (HL / SL)
Group 4: Experimental Sciences
Biology (HL/SL), Chemistry (HL/SL), Physics (HL/SL), Computer Science (HL/SL)
Group 5: Mathematics Mathematics (SL)- Mathematics-Calculus (HL)- Mathematics Analysis and Aproaches (SL-HL)
Group 6: The Arts
Visual Art (HL/SL)
DP students studying IB Science at BELS
- 100% BELS teachers have received recent and up to date IB training
- 90 % BELS teachers are registered IB examiners
- 3 BELS Administrator serves on the IBEN team
For more information on the IB Diploma programme contact the programme coordinator, Dinçer Akış
E-mail: akis@bels.bilkent.edu.tr