IB Diploma Program School

The aim of all IB programs is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.  IB learners strive to be:

Inquirers	They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Knowledgeable	They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance.  In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
Thinkers	They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators	They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Principled	They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Open-minded	They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring	They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
Risk-takers	They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
Balanced	They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
Reflective	They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

IB Diploma Program General Regulations

Diploma Candidates Only - Core Requirements

IB Diploma Candidates Core Requirements

 

To earn the IB Diploma, students must:  Complete course and exam requirements in six IB subjects; write an extended essay of independent research on a topic chosen by the student and guided by a faculty mentor; Complete Creativity, Activity, and Service activities (CAS); Participate in a critical thinking course called TOK.

• Theory of Knowledge (ToK) is a course for full IB Diploma candidates that challenges students to question the basis of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases, and to develop a personal mode of thought based on analysis of evidence expressed in rational argument. ToK seeks to develop a coherent approach to learning which transcends and unifies all academic subjects and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives. ToK classes at Commack High School meet one period every other day during both the junior and senior years. 
• Creativity, Activity, Service(CAS) is the part of the IB Diploma Program that requires students to engage in and on reflect on multiple experiences along side their academic studies.  The CAS requirement takes the importance of life outside of the classroom seriously and as a counterbalance to a demanding school program.   
• The Extended Essay (EE) requires IB Diploma candidates to undertake in original research and writing of an approximately 3,000-4,000 word paper.  This task offers students the opportunity to investigate a topic of their interest, choose their own mentor from our faculty and acquaint themselves with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at the university level.   Please consult the Extended Essay section on this website and Dr. Jeziorski’s (our EE Coordinator) webpage for more information regarding the EE.

Diploma Candidates - Coursework & Grading

1. IB Diploma students must complete one IB course from each of the six core curriculum groups during the course of their junior and senior year (English, Language, History, Science, Math; Elective OR a second Science OR a second Social Science) and the corresponding IB exam at the end of those courses.  (6 courses = 6 IB exams)
2. All IB course exams have an internally assessed component (completed by the teacher and an IB examiner) and externally assessed component (completed by an outside IB examiner).  Both the Internal Assessment (IA) and External Assessment (generally given in May) comprise a student's IB exam score for that course.  
3. The IB exam guidelines for IB Diploma candidates are as follows:  

1. A minimum of 3 exams, and no more than 4 exams, must be HL (Higher Level) exams. The rest will be SL (Standard Level) exams.
2. A minimum of 24 total points must be achieved combined on the 6 exams to earn an IB Diploma.  Exams are scored on a scale from 1-7.
3. The three higher level exam scores must total 12 points or higher to earn an IB Diploma. If a student takes 4 higher level exams, the best 3 HL scores of the 4 must total 12 points or higher.  Also, no higher level exam score may be lower than a 3 to qualify for the IB Diploma.
4. A student may ONLY sit for up to 2 Standard Level exams during his/her junior year.  The remainder of their exams will be competed during his/her senior year. 

4. Satisfactory completion of the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course. This includes writing a 1,600 essay (called a prescribed title) and completing a presentation.**
5. Satisfactory completion of the Extended Essay (EE). **
6. Satisfactory completion of the seven learning outcomes of Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).  

  **An “E” on a scale of A through E in either Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge will result in no IB Diploma.

Course Candidates

Students wishing to take IBDP courses and exams, but not complete ToK, EE and CAS may take one or more IB courses and exams of their choosing as Course Candidates.

• In order to receive an IB certificate for an IB course, students must complete the IB exam at the end of that course.
• IB Course Candidates must also complete all other course requirements satisfactorily, including the Internal Assessment for each IB course.
• IB courses require a commitment to the course work and preparation for the exam.

Group	Subject Area	Standard Level	Higher Level
1	Language A		English Language and Literature
2	Language Ab Initio	Mandarin Ab Initio French Ab Initio
3	Individuals and Societies		History
4	Experimental Sciences	Physics
5	Mathematics	Analysis and Approaches
6	The Arts and Electives (students may choose an extra course in another group if they wish to avoid taking one of these courses	Instrumental Music	Instrumental Music

 

IB Exams/Assessments

All classes taken by IB students involve the completion of various types of work that is sent to IB headquarters to be marked and moderated externally. This process carries with it processing fees that must be covered (at least in part) by the student. The prices (in Vietnam dong, VND) are as follows:

• Group 1-6 Exams/Assessments*: 2.600.000 VND
• TOK Assessments: 995.000 VND
• CAS Assessment: 199.000 VND
• EE Assessment: 995.000 VND

Not all Group 1-6 classes include an exam, but they do include a processing fee for the marking of the assessment work that students complete.

The exams are given based on an international schedule that is provided by the IB. Exams can be re-scheduled on a case-by-case basis, but these requests must be made by March 15th of the exam year in question.

Financial assistance is available for these exams. Please email Ms. Bui Trang for details (bui-trang@haiphong.qsi.org)

2025

Projected Exam Schedule

IB Results Services

Legalization of Results

Some countries require consular legalization of IB diploma results for their universities to accept them. More detailed information related to which countries require legalization in addition to the process itself can be found on the IB Certificates and Legalization FAQ page. During the school year in which a candidate is taking their exams and completing the diploma, requests for legalization can be made through the school. For alumni, these requests must be made independently through the IB. Requests for legalization must be made prior to June 15 during the exam year of a given candidate, lest they incur an additional fee.

• Price per each legalization for each country/consulate: 5.400.000 VND

Results Service to Universities

For each candidate, the issue of results to a maximum of six universities or admissions centres will be sent without charge providing the requests are made by 1 July. A fee for each additional results issue applies until the end of the examination session, which is 15 September for a May session. After the close of the session, a fee will be levied for each set of results that is sent, regardless of whether any results were sent before the close of the examination session. The school counseling staff will coordinate the provision of results to the first six universities of choice. After that, it will be up to the candidate to make their own enquiries to the school regarding having additional results sent. The fee associated with this process is as follows:

• Price per subject result: 40.000 VND