1.
Won’t failure to obtain an IB Diploma for a
candidate be a blow to his/her self
confidence?
Certainly a failure of the IB diploma
program will be a blow to a
student’s self confidence. However
we work very hard with the
teachers learning support team and
guidance team to ensure that this
does not occur. We track students
closely throughout the program and
monitor academic progress, if any
indications arise that a student will
not achieve at a required level we
intervene to rectify the situation.
2.
Is there a “mentoring” or program for
students with poor organizational skills
(besides nagging parents)?
Yes - we have a peer helper scheme
that is designed to offer support
from the students themselves (as
well as the nagging parents). We
also have regular ‘kid-talk’ session
where the teachers discuss
progress and make
recommendations about support
(either through peers, learning
support team or guidance)
3.
If a student is weak, is there any support
from ISM?
There is a whole raft of support
levels for all students at ISM. We
work very hard to ensure all
students are fully supported
through the home room advisor
system, the learning support team,
the guidance team department and
the IB office. It is however
incumbent upon the student to
seek out support. As described
above we have a referral system in
place as well in order to ensure that
students who may be struggling do
not ‘fall through the gaps’.
4.
What is the role or significance of the IB
program in relation to an application to a
local university?
Our resident expert in this field is
Jasmin Andres and she can be
found in the guidance office. She
acts as our liaison with local
universities and she is well worth a
visit if you are considering a local
higher education destination.
5.
When do the students start applying to
We recommend that students
different universities in the US and the UK?
considering early action or decision
in the US have all applications
completed by mid November of
senior year. UK applications need to
be completed by 15th October
through UCAS for medicine, Vet
science, Oxford and Cambridge
(www.ucas.com) all other UK
applications we recommend to be
complete by the end of November.
All other US applications and
Canada should be completed and
submitted around this time as well.
The only elements of the IB that are
graded in a letter format are the
Theory of Knowledge and extended
essay. These combine to produce
up to 3 extra points but are
compulsory. See the matrix and
explanation of the failing condition
here. However an ‘E’ in either
component can endanger the
diploma. An ‘E’ grade in both means
the student fails the diploma.
6.
Can you have an F and still pass?
7.
What happens if my daughter decides to
change a subject to another subject, from HL
to SL? Until when is the deadline?
We allow two weeks at the
beginning of the Junior year (Grade
11) for students to initiate changes
in their schedules. There is an
additional two weeks of flexibility
where staff may recommend
changes to schedules. All changes
are made through the guidance
department and must be agreed by
the IB coordinator. However we are
keen that students change as early
as possible in order to minimize
disruption and the pressures
encountered by trying to ‘catch –
up’ missed work.
8.
Does it help more to do SAT and IB diploma
together? For international students (USA)
do they need to get TOEFL also with the IB
diploma?
If students are applying to colleges
in the USA we would recommend
that students sit the SAT tests as a
supplement to their IB diploma.
This is arranged through the
guidance office. Some colleges will
also require an English language
test such as TOEFL but this is not
universal so it is important to check
on the requirements of any course
or college being considered early
enough to fulfill these
requirements. If you are applying to
a college and hold a non-English
speaking passport (e.g. Philippines)
we recommend a TOEFL exam is
taken in the summer between
junior and senior years in
preparation for the college
application process.
9.
Is it possible to drop diploma and get
certificate at Grade 12?
Yes. Final registration takes place in
the November of the senior year. It
is possible to drop from the full
diploma to certification or partial
diploma until then. Once
registration has occurred we can
still make changes but there are
significant penalty fees that are
incurred.
10. Time management – What does ISM do to
control use of computers. While computers
are an important tool, it tempts students to
misuse.
I agree that computers, whilst being
an extremely powerful tool in the
academic life of students, they also
pose a mighty powerful distraction.
We aim to help management of this
issue through our information
literacy program which also
encourages students to reflect
upon their work and study habits.
However, we are merely offering
advice and guidance and once the
student sits at their own machine
this is a difficult issue to actually
control but we recommend that
parents are vigilant and mindful of
the issue.
11. How does the IB score compare to the 4point GPA?
Our GPA system has a weighting
applied for IB subjects. The details
are published in the High School
planner (page 4). In brief all IB
Higher Level subjects are subjected
to a +0.5 weighting per semester
and senior year Standard level
subjects are also given a + 0.5
weighting. There is however a cap
at 3 Higher level subjects and math
Studies is not weighted.
12. Assessments - The assessments which are
given 1-7 points: are the tests standardized
and come from IB; when are they given (12th
grade?)
All IB subjects are comprised of a
combination of internal
assessments which follow clear IB
guidelines and assessment criteria.
These are externally moderated by
IB examiners. However there are
also standardized end of course
exams that are set and marked by
the IB and its examiner team. These
follow a global schedule (May 2012
is available here) and are conducted
under strict regulations that are set
by the IB.
13. When should students take the SAT2 in
relation to the IB schedule?
The recommendation is that SAT /
SAT2 exams are taken between mid
second semester of the junior year
and finished by November of the
senior year. Visit the college board
website for more information here.
14. How does IB diploma prepare students to do
better with their SAT scores?
The IB provides a rigorous
education that includes English,
Math and problems solving. All are
key elements of the SAT. However,
we do not teach to the SAT exams
directly. If you are planning to take
these exams you must register
through the guidance office. For
more SAT information you can visit
the College Board website here.
15. Are AP exams of any use for US university
admission for IB diploma students?
They can be, but this depends upon
the chosen subject or college at
which the student is choosing to
study. However, the only subject
that we actually teach at an AP level
is US History. We will support other
AP courses and our teachers will try
to cover key AP elements where
they align with the IB curriculum.
An example is our HL math course
where the IB will cover about 75%
of the AP requirement for calculus
and teach in an order that
facilitates access to the AP for those
students who wish to take it. Some
additional information on the AP
and IB issue can be found here.
16. What happens if a student feels
overwhelmed or falls behind?
There is a whole raft of support
levels for all students at ISM. We
work very hard to ensure all
students are fully supported
through the home room advisor
system, the learning support team,
the guidance team department and
the IB office. It is however
incumbent upon the student to
seek out support. As described
above we have a referral system in
place as well in order to ensure that
students who may be struggling do
not ‘fall through the gaps’.
17. Is IB only popular / preferred in the US
University system?
Certainly not… the IB diploma is as
its title suggests ‘International’ in
nature and globally recognized as
an excellent pre university high
school curriculum. The IB gives
details about university recognition
in a global sense on their website
here. However from our student
population the IB provides
advantageous admissions
opportunities in the UK, Canada
and Australia.
18. How does the school help the student to
decide which college to apply? Or which
undergraduate course?
The guidance team is the first port
of call for any questions / decisions
about the university / college
application process. One of their
primary roles is to assist and guide
students through the research and
application process that is
necessary in the transition to higher
education. We have a
comprehensive library of college
preparation material from a global
perspective.
19. CAS hours in summer?
20. What is the eligibility to qualify for IB
diploma?
A student can acquire credit for CAS
hours completed from any time
during their IB diploma. However
the hours must be verified in some
manner by a supervisor / manager.
Visit the ISM CAS site here for more
details about the CAS program at
ISM and how to complete the
requirements.
At ISM we have an open door policy
for the diploma program. However
there are certain pre-requisites for
some courses at diploma level. It
should also be noted that the IB
diploma is not the best program for
all students. During the course
selection process in grade 10 we
spend a great deal of time providing
advice and guidance to all students
as to the best academic program
for them.
21. How is the IB certificate viewed by US
universities?
Many US colleges give credit for
subjects for which students have
successfully achieved an IB grade.
Usually they must score a 5 or
higher for full credit. This varies
from institution to institution so it is
best to check with the colleges
themselves or the guidance team to
verify or clarify the specific
situation.
22. Are some IB subjects ‘better’ than others?
No… the only difference is between
the Higher and Standard level at
which they are studied. Higher level
subjects demand more breadth and
depth of knowledge and usually
require additional assessment
elements.
23. If IB is considered a preparation for student’s
degree programme, why don’t universities
offer them exemptions on their program
duration?
Most colleges do give course credit
at degree level, especially in the
first year for successful IB qualified
students. Again this depends upon
the institution but it is possible to
get full year exemptions in some
circumstances.
24. Where do we have to start from to find a
good university for our children? And how
early do we have to start looking for it?
The guidance team is the first port
of call for any questions / decisions
about the university / college
application process. One of their
primary roles is to assist and guide
students through the research and
application process that is
necessary in the transition to higher
education. We have a
comprehensive library of college
preparation material from a global
perspective.
In terms of when to start… the
answer is probably ‘NOW’ in terms
of research and the formal
application process will take place
in the first semester of the senior
year.
25.
The only subject that we actually
teach at an AP level is US History.
We will support other AP courses
and our teachers will try to cover
key AP elements where they align
with the IB curriculum. An example
is our HL math course where the IB
will cover about 75% of the AP
requirement for calculus and teach
in an order that facilitates access to
the AP for those students who wish
to take it. Some additional
information on the AP and IB issue
can be found here.
Can the IB students still take the AP exams?
Is this advisable?
26. Most universities recommend AP rather than
IB. Can you explain and clarify this?
Certainly in the US the AP is a far
more widely taught curriculum than
the IB (though the IB numbers are
rising fast). Therefore many US
colleges have a recommendation
guideline geared towards the AP
system. However, the IB is
perceived as an excellent college
preparation curriculum and is
increasingly preferred especially at
more selective institutions. You can
see a number of university
perspectives on my presentation to
parents PowerPoint.
27. IB acceptance in US universities is good; but
what about the rest of the world, UK? EU?
28. Does the IB diploma automatically replace or
waive the admission tests like SAT in some
universities? If yes, which countries?
The IB is extremely well regarded in
the UK and there is a wealth of
evidence and commentary to
support this assertion. The best way
to assess this is via the UCAS
website which manages all UK
university applications.
Most Canadian and Australian
universities do not require the SAT
if the applicant has completed the
full diploma, Generally UK
universities do not require the SAT
at all. Most US colleges require the
SAT in addition to the IB diploma.
29. Those who fail the IB, can they retake the
exams?
Yes they can. There are some
restrictions however, and details
about these and the process can be
found here.
30. Our 11th grader has over 300 hours of
community service from her previous school.
She is concerned that it is not valued, how
can we help her realize the importance of
community service is not just the time. She
felt that number of hours is stressed here at
ISM.
A student can acquire credit for CAS
hours completed from any time
during their IB diploma. However
the hours must be verified in some
manner by a supervisor / manager.
Visit the ISM CAS site here for more
details about the CAS program at
ISM and how to complete the
requirements.
31. Please give us the direct contact person and
telephone number for future IB questions.
My name is Mike Relf and I am the
IB coordinator here at ISM. My full
contact details are available on the
blog here. The best way to get in
touch is by email at
relfm@ismanila.org if you would
rather phone my direct line is +63 2
840 8673 or you can find my office
in the HS guidance section room
1066.
32. Please explain how 1-7 correlates to grades.
Our child is very concerned about her GPA
dropping here at ISM.
How the IB grades are related to
the GPA is described on page 4 of
the student planner. However
owing to the academically rigorous
nature of the IB courses they are
weighted as detailed below. In brief
all IB Higher Level subjects are
subjected to a +0.5 weighting per
semester and senior year Standard
level subjects are also given a + 0.5
weighting. There is however a cap
at 3 Higher level subjects and math
Studies is not weighted.
33. How to deal with kids who took higher level
subject against the advice of the counselors?
We work hard with students and
their teachers in grade 10 in order
to ensure that they are placed in
the correct classes and appropriate
levels during their IB diploma years.
However at times there are
students who make choices against
our advice. In these cases we will
monitor progress closely and may
require there to a parent signed
waiver.
34. Maths (HL) is a weak point in ISM history.
Why? What is the solution?
I think this is a question based upon
myth and rumor rather than reality.
This year (and for the past few
years) the Math HL performance
was outstanding, in fact it was more
than a full grade above the world
average for the subject and was
one of ISM’s top performing IB
subjects!
The essay titles are set by the IB
and can be found here for the May
2012 cohort and here for the May
2013 cohort.
We keep our entire past A and B
grade essay collection in the High
School media centre. There are also
many past essays and guides on the
high school portal. There are so
many title suggestions available it
would be impossible to cover
sufficient here to make the answer
meaningful. The students are
encouraged to think of a title / area
of study and discuss it with their
supervisor. For more EE details of
the process you can see the EE kick
off presentation here.
35. What are some examples of TOK essay
topics?
36. Please give some examples of extended essay
subjects.
37. How do you help students identify their EE
topic?
The students are encouraged to
think of a title / area of study and
discuss it with their supervisor. For
more EE details of the process you
can see the EE kick off presentation
here. Before they choose we have a
set of departmental EE sessions
that students are encouraged to
attend. They also are given time in
the new Info lit and ToK schedule to
address the EE.
38. Why such a focus on US universities? Not
everybody plans for this.
Agreed but the majority of our
students have a US focus when
considering universities. There is a
great deal of information about
other universities in the section on
question 17.
There is ongoing assessment in all
high school classes. However those
that are IB based follow IB
assessment protocols wherever
possible in order to best prepare
students for the final exams. Also it
must be remembered that internal
assessments play a part in IB
subjects and these will be carried
out at different times throughout
the two year period. See the key
dates document for details.
39. How is progress toward the diploma assessed
throughout the two years?
40. Is there a time in the school year when the
students are particularly busy?
41. How much time an IB student needs for
homework?
The IB is a demanding program in
terms of both academic rigor but
also time management. We have
produced a key dates calendar to
help manage that time pressure
and I recommend that you use the
calendar to check deadlines and
expectations at different times
throughout the year.
Our homework philosophy is set
out in the student planner. At HL
there should be an expectation of
1.5 to 2 hours per subject per week
as a guideline. In SL subject there
should be significantly less.
However, at certain times of the
year these requirements may
increase for example during the
Internal assessments.
42. In Grade 12th, when is the due date for EE?
43. Is there a minimum point per subject to get
diploma or is it just total points of 24?
The best thing to check here is the
key dates calendar… but for the
current seniors it is 18th January
2012
There is a slightly more complex
formula for failing the IB diploma
than merely the 24 points required
as a minimum. The full details of
failing conditions can be found in
the full IB diploma guide here.