What is the IB?
The IB, or International Baccalaureate, is a non-profit foundation that runs international education programmes. When most students say “IB”, they mean the IB Diploma Programme: a two-year course taken at 16 to 19 and recognised by universities around the world.
On this page
The four IB programmes
- Primary Years Programme (PYP), for ages 3 to 12.
- Middle Years Programme (MYP), for ages 11 to 16.
- Diploma Programme (DP), for ages 16 to 19: the one usually meant by “IB”.
- Career-related Programme (CP), also for ages 16 to 19, combining DP courses with career-related study.
In India, the DP is usually taken in the years that match Classes 11 and 12, at international schools authorised by the IB.
How the Diploma Programme works
Diploma students take six subjects, one from each of six groups, although the sixth can be replaced by a second choice from groups 1 to 4:
- Studies in language and literature
- Language acquisition
- Individuals and societies
- Sciences, including Physics
- Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (AA) or Applications and Interpretation (AI)
- The arts
At least three, and usually three, subjects are taken at higher level (HL) and the rest at standard level (SL). HL courses have more content and more teaching time: in IB Physics, for example, 240 hours at HL against 150 at SL.
The DP core
- Theory of knowledge (TOK): a course on how we know what we claim to know, assessed by an essay and an exhibition.
- The extended essay (EE): an independent research essay of up to 4,000 words on a subject of your choice.
- Creativity, activity, service (CAS): experiences and projects outside the classroom. CAS earns no points, but you must complete it to get the diploma.
How the IB is scored
Each subject is graded from 1 to 7, so six subjects give up to 42 points. TOK and the extended essay together add up to 3 more, for a maximum of 45. Most subjects combine written exams, marked by the IB, with internal assessment marked by teachers and moderated by the IB. Exams are held in May for most schools in the northern hemisphere, including India, and results come out in early July. Our guide to IB points and diploma requirements explains the passing rules.
A typical subject choice for an engineering applicant
A student in India wants to study engineering abroad. Which IB subjects make sense?
- HL: Mathematics AA, Physics and a third subject they enjoy and do well in, such as Chemistry or Computer Science.
- SL: a language and literature course, a language acquisition course and an individuals and societies subject.
- Check each university's requirements: many engineering courses ask specifically for Maths AA HL and Physics HL, with minimum grades.
Counting points
A student scores 7, 6, 6 at HL and 6, 5, 5 at SL, with 2 core points. What is the total?
- Subjects: 7 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 5 + 5 = 35.
- Core: 2.
- Total: 37 points out of 45.
IB compared with other qualifications
- Breadth: the IB keeps six subjects and the core, while A Levels usually focus on three or four subjects.
- Assessment: the IB mixes exams with internal assessment in every subject; AP is a set of separate exams.
- Recognition: universities worldwide accept the IB Diploma. In India, the Association of Indian Universities recognises the IB Diploma for admission; check each university's own rules.
See also AP vs IB and IGCSE vs ICSE vs CBSE.
How to prepare before the Diploma Programme
- Strengthen algebra and graphs before starting Maths AA or Physics: both courses assume them from the first week.
- Practise writing explanations and short reports, since every subject has an internal assessment.
- Think about extended essay topics early: the best ones grow from genuine interest.
- Read the subject guides' outlines for your HL choices, so the first term is not a surprise.
More questions
How many hours of study does the IB Diploma need?
The IB plans 240 teaching hours for each HL subject and 150 for each SL subject, plus time for TOK, the extended essay and CAS, spread over two years.
Is Maths AA or AI better for engineering?
Many engineering and physics courses prefer or require Maths AA HL. Always check the exact requirement on each university's course page.
What is the extended essay?
An independent research essay of up to 4,000 words, graded A to E. It earns core points together with TOK, and an E fails the diploma.
Do Indian universities accept the IB Diploma?
Yes. The Association of Indian Universities recognises the IB Diploma, and many Indian universities admit IB students. Each university sets its own rules, such as minimum grades or how IB grades convert to percentages, so check early.
Is there an IB exam in November?
Yes. The November session is used mainly by schools in the southern hemisphere. Most schools in India follow the May session.
Common mistakes
- Choosing HL subjects without checking what your target university courses require.
- Leaving the extended essay and CAS until the second year.
- Treating internal assessments as small tasks: they are 20% or more of most subject grades.
- Assuming Maths AI is accepted for every engineering or physics course.
Practice questions
Try each one before opening the answer.
Q1. What is the maximum IB Diploma score?
Show answer
Q2. How many subjects are taken at HL?
Show answer
Q3. Does CAS earn points?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the IB harder than CBSE or A Levels?
It is different rather than simply harder: it asks for six subjects, coursework in each and the core. Students who like breadth and independent work often do well.
Can I take IB courses without the full diploma?
Yes. Many schools let students take individual DP courses and receive course results instead of the full diploma.
When are IB exams?
Most schools, including those in India, sit the May session. A November session is used mainly by schools in the southern hemisphere.
Key takeaways
- IB usually means the two-year Diploma Programme.
- Six subjects, at least three at HL.
- Core: TOK, the extended essay and CAS.
- Graded out of 45.
- May exams, July results.