The IB Diploma Programme studies begin with the Preparatory Year followed by the Diploma Programme consisting of two academic years, IB1 and IB2. Over the preparatory year an IB-student first studies subjects from the national curriculum . However, teaching in these subjects, except for Finnish, is done in English. This means the IB-group stays together all through their studies up until the end of the IB2. The idea of the preparatory year is to accustom a student to upper secondary working methods, teching in English and interactive group work.
The duration of classes in both the Pre Year and in the IB proper is 75 minutes. The class coding system reads as follows:
Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri.
Code nine classes to be agreed on separately with the teacher.
To be transferred to the actual Diploma Programme, a Pre-Year student must complete at least 28 courses by the end of the year and pass their chosen HL-subjects with a Grade Point Average of at least 8,0. For SL subjects the GPA of 7,0 is sufficient. Exceptional requirements are applied to Mathematics and English A : An HL Mathematics choice requires a GPA of 9,0 whereas an Analysis SL Maths choice requires a GPA of 7,5 and for Applications SL a GPA of 6 is enough. A GPA of 8,5 is needed for English A language and literature -choice.
Only a failed course (grade 4) can be retaken in a retake examination session during the pre-year.
Apart from adhering to the above-mentioned criteria, a preparatory year -student must demonstrate disciplined conduct in all the school work for a transfer to the first academic diploma programme year.
Retaking the preparatory year is possible only in a case where a student faces an unexpected health condition or another force majeure -issue. This typically obligates the student to produce appropriate medical documentation on the necessity of a retake year.