Can Someone Please Explain the IB Diploma?

Question

It is an option in my school. I know that you start in 11th grade. and you have to take classes from all six sections but do you have to take only one per section or two per section?? and how does that work. Also I know you have to do an extended essay and take theory of knowledge but what exactly is CAS ?? Thanks

Answer 1

It depends on what your school offers, so long as you take a total of 6 (which you continue in 12th grade). I took 2 subjects from experimental sciences (chem and bio). You may be thinking that 6 subjects seems low, but they aren't exactly the same length as your regular semestered courses. My grade 12 courses lasted the whole year to finish covering all necessary materials and allow for practice for the IB exams.

You should check with a guidance councilor about how its setup at your school. I'm certain you'll have one that takes care of IB students. As for CAS, check the link I have provided below. Its basically a requirement that you are involved in extracurricular activities.

C: activities that involve creativity

A: activities that involve action

S: activities that involve service

If you are in a club, you may have a wide variety of activities. For example, if you plan an fundraiser event you can count that under creativity and when you actually setup and host that event you an count your hours under action.  

Answer 2

So you know you need to take the IB tests from six subjects, which could be 3 HL and 3 SL or 4 HL and 2 SL. The highest score is a 7. I would definitely shoot for a 6 or a 7. The extended essay is something in which you are interested in and i believe it has to be 4,000 words. Theory of knowledge, you have to write a paper for it and it counts for you IB points. CAS is the hours that you involved in creativity, action, and service. Service is any community service activity. I highly recommend Key club.  Action is simply doing sports, exercise. Say, you walk from your house to the school. Then, you would need an adult other than your parents to confirm that. Creativity is like the hours you did in artsy work, like art club or theatrical productions. For each, you need at least 50 hours. Those should be easy. I hope this helps. Good luck.