The grading system in the Diploma Programme differs remarkably from the Finnish numeric grades. In general, any IB-subject is assessed on a scale of 1 – 7. The subject grade is typically made up of both internal assessment, i.e. the work done and assessed within the school and some of it moderated by external IB examiners and external assessment, such as the written assignments in languages and the final examinations. These pieces of work are assessed solely by external examiners. . All six diploma subject grades can amount to a maximum of 42 points. Up to 3 bonus points can be received from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay combined raising the maximum score to 45. The required minimum amount of points for the awarding of the Diploma is 24. A candidate must also receive at least 12 points for the HL subjects.
Predicted grades and Mock-examination period
On the 2nd diploma programme year a student can at request receive a predicted grade for any subject. Such a grade (PG) is typically needed for university applications.
The Mocks give the students an idea of the structure and practices of the Final exams. The 2nd year IB-students typically take the mocks after the winter break in early March. After the Mock-examination period the teachers submit the final predicted grades for each subject to the IB.
Deadlines
Students see the deadlines in the Assessment– calendar for First drafts and Final Drafts in different subjects. Failing to meet these deadlines results in the following sanctions:
- If the student misses the First Draft -deadline, the teacher does not comment on it anymore for upgrades.
- Missing the Final Draft deadline causes the Draft Version to be submitted to the IB.
- If the student has not delivered the Draft Version at all by the Final Version deadline, no version is submitted, which leads to no diploma.
Criteria for awarding the diploma
The following failing conditions apply:
1. CAS requirements have not been met.
2. Candidate’s total points are fewer than 24.
3. An N has been given for theory of knowledge, extended essay or for a contributing subject.
4. A grade E has been awarded for one or both of theory of knowledge and the extended essay.
5. There is a grade 1 awarded in a subject/level.
6. Grade 2 has been awarded three or more times (HL or SL).
7. Grade 3 or below has been awarded four or more times (HL or SL).
8. Candidate has gained fewer than 12 points on HL subjects (for candidates who register for four HL subjects, the three highest grades count.) or fewer than 9 points on SL subjects (candidates who register for two SL subjects must gain at least 5 points at SL).
Malpractice
If suspicion arises that a DP candidate might have resorted to violation of good practice, the candidate is first notified and he or she has a right to submit a response. After hearing the subject teacher and scrutinizing the response, the DP coordinator and the principal rule whether the allegation is still founded based on the subject teacher’s report and the student’s response. The infringement can be dealt with internally if it is detected at an early stage and the student is cooperative. The component will then not be assessed or graded but, depending on the quality of the infringement, the student is required to produce complementary material for the assessment or do the work all over again. Such sanctions are applied to first time offenders when an infringement in homework or any internal examination not leading to final grading is in question.
Should the student repeat the violation, there will be no grade for the component. Multiple violations of academic honesty automatically lead to disqualification from the course and the IB is also notified on the proceedings. In such cases it may be recommendable that the student be not allowed to continue in the Diploma Programme. The students’ parents are notified in each case.
The link here contains essential information on assessment requirements and further updates on sanctions for plagiarism, for example.