IB DP FAQ

The International Baccalaureate was developed in 1968 in an effort to establish preparatory school standards that could be recognized by European universities as rigorous and effective in preparing students for higher level studies. It has been in American schools since 1980 and in Norcross High School since 1997. Its influence on American universities is supported by an IBO 2011 survey that shows IB seniors in the US are accepted into premier universities more often than the general admission pool of applicants. 

Highly motivated and academically focused students will find a rigorous and diverse educational experience in IB at NHS. The IB Diploma program is offered to eligible students who are entering their junior year of school. The program is designed to be an integrated interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses students as much on how they learn as what they learn. The course work is advanced and promotes the students intellectual, personal and social development. Students may choose to participate at the full diploma level or at the course level.

The centerpiece of the program is Theory of Knowledge (ToK), an interdisciplinary course intended to stimulate critical reflection upon the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. ToK, which is available to full diploma program students, unifies the academic subjects and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives.
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) was the first programme offered by the IB and is taught to students in eleventh and twelfth grade. As of May 2023, there are over 3,600 schools offering the DP in 160 different countries worldwide. Approximately 202,000 students tested in 2025.
 

Students who participate in the full Diploma Programme will take some subjects at higher level (HL) and some at standard level (SL). Higher level and Standard level courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at the higher level. Students must take at least three (but not more than four) subjects at higher level, and the remaining at standard level. Higher level subjects are taught over two years while standard level subjects are taught over either one or two years. Diploma Candidates must take one IB DP course in each of the six subject groups.
Any of the courses offered can be part of the IB Diploma Programme at Norcross, however only higher level courses can be taken as a stand-alone IB Course Candidate.
 

Currently, Norcross offers all of the IB courses listed below. Course subjects may change due to changes in subjects offered by the IBO and due to needs of students and staff.  

• IB Language A HL:  Literature
• IB Language B HL or SL:  Spanish I & II
• IB Language B ab initio:  Spanish I & II 
• IB Language B HL or SL:  French I & II
• IB Language B ab initio:  French I & II
• IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL I & II
• IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL I & II
• IB Mathematical Analysis and Integration SL I & II
• IB History of the Americas HL I & II
• IB Psychology SL
• IB Biology HL or SL
• IB Chemistry SL
• IB Environmental Systems and Societies SL
• IB Visual Arts HL or SL I  & II
• IB Music SL
• IB Theatre SL 
• IB Theory of Knowledge

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) uses both internally and externally assessed components to assess student performance. In IB DP courses, internal assessments in most cases are completed as part of the course work for the class and are evaluated by the teacher of the course. External assessments are scored by examiners around the school and outside of Norcross. Work for an external assessment includes May exams as well as work that is submitted to an outside evaluator, as in the case of speaking assessments for the language courses. Students submit work for assessment at the conclusion of a course, for two year courses, this is at the end of the second year. 

Externally assessed coursework, completed by students over an extended period under authenticated teacher supervision, forms part of the assessment for several programme areas, including the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) essay and the Extended Essay (EE).

Internal assessments are scored locally, but IB examiners moderate the results to ensure accuracy.

Many parents and students struggle with making the decision to take advanced level classes. What are the characteristics that the students who are successful in IB classes most often display? Students who enjoy learning subjects at a deeper level and enjoy being around peers who enjoy high achievement are well suited for the IB Diploma Program. Additionally, students who do well in the program enjoy doing activities in addition to academics, such as community service or sports. Finally, these students are well thrive when in an academically challenging environment.

Students in an IB Diploma Program course will receive assessments and grading based upon the Gwinnett County grading scale for the grade reported on a student’s transcript. 

The IB scores students using a 7 point scale, with 7 being highest and a 4 considered as a passing score. Students receive an IB grade for each Diploma Program course attempted. The final grade issued from the IB is derived from a combination of external and internal assessments. Final IB scores are issued in July of each year and determine if college credit is awarded.  

External assessment (approximately 75% of scoring)
Examinations during May of the year in which a course concludes form the basis of the assessment for most courses. This is because of their high levels of objectivity and reliability. They include:

• essays
• structured problems
• short-response questions
• data-response questions
• text-response questions
• case-study questions
• multiple-choice questions – though these are rarely used. 

Internal assessment (approximately 25% of scoring)
Teacher assessment is also used for most courses. This includes:

• oral work in languages
• fieldwork in geography
• laboratory work in the sciences
• investigations in mathematics
• artistic performances.

In order to receive the IB Diploma a Diploma Candidate’s must achieve a score of at least 24 points from their combined subject scores while also achieving certain minimum levels of performance including successful completion of the three essential elements of the DP core. 

Students can earn a maximum of 7 points in each of the six IB Diploma subjects and an extra 3 quality points for performance on the Extended Essay and in the Theory of Knowledge course.  Students must earn at least 24 total points to earn the IB Diploma out of a possible 45 total points.  

A candidate must complete the following requirements to receive the IB diploma. The list below highlights the conditions in which a diploma will not be awarded. 

1. Complete the Creativity, Activity, and Service requirements.
2. A Candidate must earn 24 or more points.
3. A student must complete all required components for the Theory of Knowledge course, the Extended Essay and all subjects.
4. A student must score a D or higher in both the Theory of Knowledge course and the Extended Essay.
5. Students must earn a minimum of 2 points for each subject. 
6. Students must not earn more than two scores of 2. 
7. Students must not earn more than three scores of 3
8. Candidates must earn 12 or more points on HL subjects (for candidates who register for four HL subjects, the three highest grades count).
9. Candidates must earn 9 or more points on SL subjects (candidates who register for two SL subjects must gain at least 5 points at SL).

Below are two sample four year plans for IB Diploma students. There are other options available. If you would like to know how the Diploma Program would work for your student, please contact our IB Diploma Coordinator, Dan Byrne (dan.bynrne@gcpsk12.org)

Sample Schedule A

Sample Schedule B

A substantial portion of this Norcross High School FAQ is derived directly from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme Materials.

Norcross’ material has been incorporated to accurately convey the official requirements, aims, and components of the Diploma Programme as mandated by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), which governs the IB Diploma Programme offered at Norcross High School.

All rights, titles, and interests in the original IB Diploma Programme Materials remain with the International Baccalaureate Organization. This Norcross High School FAQ is an in-house, local adaptation intended to supplement and contextualize the official IB guidance for our students and faculty.