The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, normally aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. The programme is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities.

The curriculum

IB Diploma Programme students study six courses at higher level or standard level. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose another subject from groups 1 to 5.

In addition the programme has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding.

The extended essay is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying.

Theory of knowledge is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical).

Creativity, action, service requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately.

The curriculum is modelled by a hexagon with six academic areas surrounding the three core requirements (see the picture in attachment)

Over the course of the two-year programme, students:

• study six subjects chosen from the six subject groups
• complete an extended essay
• follow a theory of knowledge course (TOK)
• participate in creativity, action, service (CAS).

Normally:

• three of the six subjects are studied at higher level (courses representing 240 teaching hours)
• the remaining three subjects are studied at standard level (courses representing 150 teaching hours).

Subjects, other than languages, are taught and examined in English

IB subjects offered in XV. gimnazija

Group 1: Language A (first language) including the study of selections from National and World Literature

                  Croatian A                                                          HL or SL

Group 2: Language B (second language)

                  English B                                                           HL or SL

                  French B                                                             SL only

                  German B                                                           SL only

Group 3: Individuals and Societies:

                  Psychology                                                        HL or SL

                  Economics                                                         SL only

Group 4: Experimental Sciences:

                  Biology                                                                HL or SL

                  Chemistry                                                           SL only

                  Physics                                                               HL or SL

Group 5: Mathematics                                                        HL or SL

                  Computer Science                                            HL or SL

Group 6: Electives:

                  Visual Arts                                                          HL or SL

Additional Electives: for students entering universities in Croatia

                  Latin - following Croatian national curriculum

                History - following Croatian national curriculum

                Croatian - for foreign students          

Theory of Knowledge & CAS Activities

Alternatively, candidates may chose instead of a Group 6 subject a second subject from Groups 2 - 5.

The Higher level (HL) classes will occupy 5 periods per week.

The Standard level (SL) classes will occupy 3 or 4 periods per week.

TOK will be taught 3 periods a week over three terms.

CAS activities will occupy one half-day per week.

In addition to completing the six subjects each Diploma candidate must meet the following requirements:

a) Extended Essay

Complete a substantial piece of independent work, under the supervision of a qualified teacher at the school in one of the subjects of the IB curriculum and submit it as an Extended Essay that meets general and subject-specific criteria.

b) Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Follow a course in TOK occupying at least 100 hours throughout the two-year period and complete an essay in the subject.

c) Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)

Engage in some form of extra-curricular activity approved by IBO. At least the equivalent of one half-day per week is available to all candidates throughout the two-year course.

Assessment

Students take written examinations at the end of the programme, which are marked by external IB examiners. Students also complete assessment tasks in the school, which are either initially marked by teachers and then moderated by external moderators or sent directly to external examiners.

Marking

Performance in each subject is graded on a scale of 1 point (minimum) to 7 points (maximum). For the IB diploma, a maximum of 3 points is awarded for combined performance in theory of knowledge and the extended essay. The maximum total Diploma Programme points score is 45.

The grading scheme in use is as follows:

                     1: very poor             : F                 : nedovoljan

                     2: poor                     : F                 : nedovoljan HL , dovoljan SL

                     3: mediocre             : D                 : dovoljan

                     4: satisfactory          : C                 : dobar

                     5: good                    : B                 : vrlo dobar

                     6: very good            : A                 : odličan

                     7: excellent              : A+               : odličan

b) The award of the final grade after IB graduation exams in each subject is the responsibility of the Chief Examiner. In every subject up to a maximum of 35% may be internally assessed and externally moderated by the Chief Examiners.

Examination session

1.     At the end of every semester candidates shall take their examinations in all subjects.  The minimum of 23 points is required to be promoted to the next grade.

2.     At the end of Grades 11 and 12, as well as at midterms, school will issue Report Cards for every student.

3.     In the May of their final year, candidates shall take their IB graduation exams that will be externally assessed.

4.     A timetable for the administration of examinations, as well as all other regulations, including examination papers, shall be established by the IBO.

5.     At the end of the Programme, after the graduation, IBO will issue Diplomas for all students who have met the conditions for award of the IB diplomas.

Conditions for award of the IB diploma:

1. All assessment components for each of the six subjects and the additional IB diploma requirements must be completed in order to qualify for the award of the IB diploma.

2. The IB diploma will be awarded to a candidate whose total score is 24, 25, 26 or 27 points, provided all the following requirements have been met.

a. Numeric grades have been awarded in all six IB subjects .

b. All CAS requirements have been met.

c. Grades A (highest) to E (lowest) have been awarded for both theory of knowledge

 and an extended essay, with a grade of at least D in one of them.

d. There is no grade 1 in any subject.

e. There is no grade 2 at higher level.

f. There is no more than one grade 2 at standard level.

g. Overall, there are no more than three grades 3 or below.

             h. At least 12 points have been gained on higher level subjects (candidates who

register for four higher level subjects must gain at least 16 points at higher level).

i. At least 9 points have been gained on standard level subjects (candidates who

 register for two standard level subjects must gain at least 6 points at standard level).

j. The final award committee has not judged the candidate to be guilty of malpractice.

3. The IB diploma will be awarded to a candidate whose total score is 28 points or above, provided all the following requirements have been met.

a. Numeric grades have been awarded in all six subjects registered for the IB diploma

b. All CAS requirements have been met.

c. Grades A (highest) to E (lowest) have been awarded for both theory of knowledge

 and an extended essay, with a grade of at least D in one of them.

d. There is no grade 1 in any subject.

e. There is no more than one grade 2 at higher level.

f. There are no more than two grades 2 at standard level.

g. Overall, there are no more than three grades 3 or below.

h. At least 11 points have been gained on higher level subjects (candidates who

 register for four higher level subjects must gain at least 14 points at higher level).

i At least 8 points have been gained on standard level subjects (candidates who

 register for two standard level subjects must gain at least 5 points at standard level).

j. The final award committee has not judged the candidate to be guilty of malpractice.

4. A maximum of three examination sessions is allowed in which to satisfy the requirements for the award of the IB diploma.

More inforamtion: www.ibo.org in General regulations Diploma Programme, and Amendments to the General regulations: Diploma Programme