Frequently Asked Questions about the IB

The following list represents the questions asked most often when discussing the IB program with students, parents, community groups and those planning to move to our area. To follow up on any of them, please contact either Asheesh Mirsa or Carlota Shewchuk, the IB Coordinators at George C. Marshall High School, via telephone (703/714-5580), fax (703/714-5596) or e-mail (asheesh.misra@fcps.edu or carlota.shewchuk@fcps.edu)

Which Fairfax County high schools offer the IB Diploma Program?

Eight Fairfax County schools currently offer the IB Diploma:

Annandale High School Lee High School
Edison High School Mount Vernon High School
George C. Marshall High School Robinson Secondary School
JEB Stuart High School South Lakes High School

Are all Internationa Baccalaureate programs / schools alike?

All certified IB diploma schools share certain features – they must provide the necessary range of subjects to allow students to complete the IB diploma, they must offer appropriately demanding coursework to prepare students adequately for IB exams and other assessments, and they must maintain a staff of trained IB teachers. These similarities among IB schools make it easier for a student to move from one state or country to another. However, there are many courses available within the IB, and each individual school chooses how many and which ones to offer. Most IB schools in the US offer the subjects which fulfill their respective state and local graduation requirements, and as many elective subjects as their student enrollment will permit.

Can I attend an IB school if my base high school does not offer the program?

Yes – the IB is not a “magnet” program in Fairfax County, so a family residing within the County can apply for Student Assignment to an IB school, provided the student intends to complete the full IB Diploma (rather than to take only selected IB courses for Certificates.) Preferably, the student and parent(s) will have met with the IB coordinator prior to initiating an application for Student Assignment to determine whether the IB Diploma is an appropriate choice and to decide upon a plan of studies. An application for Student Assignment can be obtained at the Guidance Office or the Main Office of any Fairfax County school, or from the IB office at IB schools. An important consideration to take into account in making the decision for Student Assignment is that bus transportation cannot be provided.

Will I be required to take an entrance examination to qualify for the IB program?

No – at Marshall, as at all Fairfax County IB schools, entrance in the IB is determined by open enrollment. That is, students – together with parents, teachers, the guidance counselor and IB coordinator – make the decisions about entering the IB program. However, since IB courses require a very high level of academic commitment on the part of students, we ask that they will have demonstrated prior success in challenging classes, such as GT, honors or Pre-IB before attempting IB subjects.

Then, how do I enroll in the IB?

Students planning to pursue the full IB Diploma need to meet with the IB coordinator in addition to making this known to their guidance counselor. We encourage one or both parents to be present for the IB conference as well. The ideal time for a Marshall student to meet with the IB coordinator is during the second half of grade 9; students who are not Marshall-based, but want to transfer to our school should schedule a conference during the second half of grade 8. Students who want to take individual IB classes for Certificates do not need a conference with the IB coordinator, but should discuss decisions about which – and how many – IB courses to attempt with parents and counselors.

Since IB courses do not officially begin until grade 11, should I wait until then if I wish to be Student Assigned to an IB school?

No – there are many reasons for beginning the Pre-IB years – grades 9 and 10 – in an IB school: Several Pre-IB subjects have been written especially to prepare students for the IB; course sequences are different in most IB schools to ensure that the student can meet all necessary State and County graduation requirements in addition to the IB diploma; Pre-IB classes introduce the analytical approach to each subject that will be carried into the IB course. Another important consideration is that once beginning high school – making friends, joining sports teams, clubs and other organizations – it becomes very hard to leave and ‘start over’ in a new school.

How is the IB Diploma different from the program at Thomas Jefferson High School?

Thomas Jefferson specializes in Science/Technology and offers advanced math, science, pre-engineering and computer classes in addition to all other subjects. The IB diploma is a liberal arts program and as such, requires that students take advanced courses in literature, foreign language and history in addition to mathematics and sciences. (One of the most obvious international features of the IB is certainly the demand of a high level of proficiency in a foreign language, requiring five or more years of study.)

Although the IB does not allow a diploma student to ‘opt out’ of any particular subject area, a certain amount of specialization is permitted in that a student can choose to take an additional course in an area of academic strength as an elective. The Extended Essay required of IB diploma candidates presents another avenue for a student to pursue research into an area of particular interest.

Speaking of foreign language … can I substitute Latin for one of the modern languages in the IB?

Yes - Beginning in 2003 ‘classical languages’ were included with modern languages in ‘Group 2’ of the IB diploma curriculum design. IB students should plan to take four or five consecutive years of Latin, beginning either in grade 8 or grade 9.

Are IB teachers specially trained?

Yes – IB teachers start out by attending training seminars offered through the IB North America offices. Following that, they periodically receive updates and notification of curriculum changes from the IB Curriculum Center. (All IB teachers have a say in curriculum decisions about IB courses.)

IB teachers at Marshall have two additional ways of staying current with their subject and colleagues: there is an On-line Curriculum Center connecting them with IB teachers and examiners around the world in their subject area, and we have an active regional network of IB schools in the Mid Atlantic states. This regional network provides opportunities for teachers to meet on a regular basis and assists them in communicating with one another electronically.

I have heard that most IB courses are “weighted.” What does this mean?

In recognition of the added difficulty and work involved in IB and AP courses, Fairfax County awards an additional .5 quality point to the student’s GPA upon successful completion of a “weighted” course. All IB subjects are weighted in their final year and many in grade 11 as well. Please check with the IB coordinator or guidance counselor about the weighting of specific classes.

Does Marshall offer AP courses in addition to the IB program?

No – at Marshall and at most Fairfax County IB high schools, AP courses and exams are not offered since the County pays the exam fees for both AP and IB tests. However, IB students may pay for and take AP Exams on their own if they wish, providing the exam schedule does not conflict with an IB test date.

What are the differences between AP and IB courses / exams?

The difficulty level of AP and IB courses does not differ significantly; both are academically demanding and require motivation and commitment on the part of the student. Many teachers who have taught both AP and IB feel that the AP examination requires students to memorize and recall a large number of specific facts; the IB exam requires students to understand broad concepts, analyze information, answer a question or solve a given problem by applying necessary or appropriate information, address an issue or problem never before encountered.

Some notable differences between IB and AP include the following:

• There is much interconnection between IB subjects, and teachers are asked frequently to work and plan collaboratively. AP courses usually stand alone, and do not rely on input from other subject areas.
• Most IB courses are two-year classes, with the exam taken at the end of the second year. AP courses are single-year classes.
• There are two levels of mastery available in IB courses and tests; there is a single AP test available for most subjects. (Two levels of difficulty are available in AP Calculus – the "AB" test and the "BC" test.)
• The content of some courses differs, reflecting the international nature of the IB and the US-based approach of the AP.
• The format of the respective examinations is different. IB tests are essay-based and AP tests have a large number of multiple-choice questions.
• IB teachers have some input into each student’s test score by means of the Internal Assessment portion of the course, usually about 20% of the final mark. This teacher input is moderated, to ensure that the same standards apply worldwide. AP students’ scores are determined by the AP exam alone.

Can I pay to take an IB Exam if I am not a student in an IB school?

No – the IB requires that a student be enrolled in an IB school and in an IB class in order to register for an IB exam. A minimum of 150 classroom hours is necessary to take a Standard Level (SL) exam and a minimum of 240 hours to take a Higher Level (HL) exam. Additionally, the IB teacher will be required to score and submit a specific piece of the student’s work, which accounts for a percentage of the total score.

Do American colleges “favor” either the IB or the AP?

No – colleges realize that students normally attend a high school offering one program or the other and that a good score on either exam is a likely indicator of success in college. However, prior to the 1990’s the IB was relatively rare in US public schools, so some smaller US colleges may not be as familiar with it as they are with the AP. This issue has largely disappeared among competitive universities and is diminishing rapidly nationwide now that more and more high schools offer the IB. Most universities publish their recognition policies on their websites.

Do I get college credit for taking an IB subject?

Not automatically - any credit or advanced standing awarded by a college or university is dependent upon a number of factors. The obvious first considerations are the policies of the specific college/university the student has decided to attend and the score the student has received on the IB exam(s). Other determinations include the IB subjects/examinations that were taken, the level of the examinations, the student’s college major, etc.

Is there any advantage to taking IB courses if I plan to attend college or university within the US? On the other hand, can I begin college abroad without the IB Diploma?

American colleges and universities certainly look for students who have taken academically rigorous courses in high school in preparation for doing college work. Both IB and AP courses provide more challenging experiences, and are necessary for consideration by top universities. To answer the second part of your question, if a student has not completed the IB diploma, foreign universities in general do not recognize a US high school diploma alone as adequate for admission. They often require an additional year or two of academic preparation before accepting an American student.

What is CAS?

CAS is the acronym for Creativity / Action / Service – the extra-curricular component of the IB diploma. At the outset of the junior year, each diploma candidate will design an individual plan that includes opportunities for personal enrichment (Creativity), physical activity (Action) and reaching out to others less fortunate in the community and/or around the world (Service.) As part of its commitment to life-long learning, the IB feels these activities are important in the development of the whole person, and has included CAS as part of the diploma to ensure that you challenge yourself in ways other than your academics endeavors.

Once I begin the IB Diploma, can I record the sports, clubs and service activities I already do as my CAS activities, or do I have to do additional things?

Nearly all extra-curricular activities you are already involved in will count toward your 150-hour CAS project. Remember, too, that many activities outside of school – such as those in scouting or with church youth groups – are ideal as well. In addition to the IB coordinator, most IB schools have a designated CAS facilitator to help you organize your CAS activities and to answer questions you may have about your individual CAS plan.