Friends School
Ramallah/El-Bireh
FBS
Friends Boys School (coeducational secondary campus)
P.O. Box 66, Ramallah, Palestine
Phone: 00972-22956230
Fax: 00972-22956231
Director of the Friends School
Joyce Ajlouny
E-mail: joyce@palfriends.org
Principal of the School
Mahmoud Amra
E-mail:amra@palfriends.org
IB Coordinator
Luai Awwad
E-mail: la510@palfriends.org
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at
the Friends School – Ramallah/El-Bireh
Most of the material presented in this handbook was taken from the IB Organization (IBO)
publications. For more information you can visit the IB Organization (IBO) web site at:
http://www.ibo.org. For further inquiries specific to the Friends School, contact IB Coordinator,
Luai Awwad at la510@palfriends.org. Phone: 00972-22956230
The Philosophy of the IB Diploma Programme:
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is designed for the last two years of school. The
curriculum of the program is represented by six academic areas (six subject groups) where Diploma
Program candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups. Instead of
a group 6 subject, a candidate may offer an additional subject chosen from group 3 or group 4. At
least three, and not more than four of the six subjects are taken at higher level (HL), the others at
standard level (SL). All students are encouraged to engage in the full program. Those who decide to
take fewer than 3 HL subjects are awarded a certificate instead of a diploma. This is allowed in the
IB program. Certificate students are treated the same as diploma students regarding assessment of
each subject. HL courses represent 240 teaching hours, and require a greater depth of study across a
broader range of content in the subject. SL courses require 150 hours. Most subjects in the six
subject groups are available at both HL and SL.
The Six Academic Areas or the Six Subject Groups
1- Group 1: First language or language A1: It enables students to deepen their understanding of the
literature of their mother tongue culture. Language A1 courses are available at both higher and
standard level.
2- Group 2: Second modern language: The aim of studying a second language is to provide an
understanding of other cultures through the study of other languages. This group consists of a broad
spectrum of modern languages at different levels. These levels are:
a- Language A2: The language A2 courses are designed for students with an already high
level of competence in the target language. The language A2 courses are available at both
higher level and standard level.
b- Language B: Available at both higher level and standard level. They are intended for
students who have had some previous experience of learning the language.
c- Language ab initio: The language ab initio courses are language learning courses for
beginners who have no previous experience of learning that language. Language ab initio
courses are available only at standard level.
3- Group 3: Individuals and Societies: The nine subjects offered in this group are history,
geography, economics, philosophy, psychology, social and cultural anthropology, business and
management, information technology in a global society and Islamic history. Subjects in this group
are available at both higher and standard level.
4- Group 4: Experimental Sciences: The five experimental sciences offered in this group are
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems and Design Technology. Subjects in this
group are available at both higher and standard level.
5- Group 5: Mathematics: They are Mathematics HL, Mathematics SL, mathematical studies SL
and further mathematics SL. Also, Computer Science (HL/SL) is a subject in group 5.
6- Group 6: The Arts: The subjects in group 6 are Visual Arts, Music and Theatre Arts. They are
available at both higher level and standard level.
Subjects Offered at FBS
Group 1:
Arabic A1 (HL/SL), English A1 (HL/SL)
Group 2:
English A2 (HL/SL), English B (HL/SL), Arabic A2 (HL/SL), Arabic B (HL/SL),
Arabic ab initio SL
Group 3:
Economics SL, Islamic History SL, Business and Mangement SL
Group 4:
Chemistry (HL/SL), Physics (HL/SL), Biology (HL/SL)
Group 5:
Mathematics HL, Mathematics SL, Mathematical Studies SL
Bilinguial Diploma
Bilinguial diplomas are awarded for:
1- language A1 taken together with a language A2 or
2- group 3 or 4 subject or extended essay taken in a language other than the candidate’s
language A1.
Additional Requirements
Diploma Programme candidates meet three requirements in addition to the six subjects. They are:
1- Extended Essay, EE: Each Diploma candidate must undertake original research and write an
extended essay of about 4000 words as a result of research done by him in one of the academic
subjects offered in the program. Each student will be assigned a teacher to supervise and guide his
work all through the whole experience. Extended Essays can be done in one of the following
subjects:
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Arabic A1
Arabic B
Biology
Business and management
Chemistry
Computer science
Design technology
Economics
English A1
English B
Environmental systems
Geography
History
Human rights
Information technology in a global society
Islamic history
Mathematics
Music
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Peace and conflict studies
Philosophy
Physics
Politics
Psychology
Social and cultural anthropology
Theatre arts
Visual arts
World religions
2- Theory of Knowledge, TOK: It covers topics such as nature of knowing, sources of knowledge,
the role of language and areas of knowledge. In TOK, each diploma candidate is required to:
a- submit an essay (1200 - 1600 words) on one of ten titles prescribed by the IB
Organization,
b- make a presentation of approximately 10 minutes to the class,
c- and complete a written self - evaluation report.
3- Creativity, Action, Service (CAS): CAS is intended to provide experiences for students to
develop self-confidence and willingness to help others. By participating in theatre productions,
sports and community service activities, young people are encouraged to share their energies and
develop awareness and concern about others and develop the ability to work cooperatively with
others. A minimum of 150 hours during the two years is required.
At FBS, certificate students participate in the TOK course and the CAS program through school
based assessment. This means that their participation in these two courses is assessed only by the
school and not by the IB. The Ministry of Higher Education at the Palestinian National Authority
required this condition for certificate students.
Assessment in the IB Program
The grade awarded to the student in each subject is the sum of his performance in Internal (worth 20
to 25 %) and External (worth 75 to 80 %) Assessment.
1- External Assessment: It is the examinations taken by diploma candidates at the end of the twoyear course of study. All examination papers are taken by candidates under the normal strict
conditions prescribed by the IBO, with a fixed time limit, in the absence of any external resource or
communication with other candidates, and with no prior knowledge of the questions. The
examinations are conducted in the school and invigilated by teachers of the school. The nature of
the examination questions varies considerably from paper to paper and from subject to subject.
Multiple choice questions are used in some subjects, but short answer questions, structured
questions, extended response questions, essay questions, data analysis questions, text analysis
questions and case study questions are all used where appropriate. Examination sessions are held in
May and November each year, with results published in early July and early January respectively.
Examinations are assessed by worldwide examiners led by chief examiners.
2- Internal Assessment: It includes pieces of work and tasks produced by students as part of the
course of study. Such tasks include world literature assignments in language A1, written
assignments for language A2, essays for TOK, Extended Essays, presentation for TOK, oral exams
for languages, commentaries for economics, math assignments for math courses, lab reports for
group 4 subjects, etc. Most of these tasks are assessed by teachers and checked through the
sampling of work from every school. If necessary, the teacher's marking is adjusted by moderators,
who ensure that a common standard is applied across all schools. Still, some of these tasks are
conducted and overseen by teachers, but are then marked by examiners outside the school such as
the EE.
The Grading System in the IB Program
The grading system used by the teachers and the outside examiners is criterion-referenced.
Assessment in the Diploma Program is criterion related, which means that each student’s final
subject result is determined by the level of their performance as measured against a published set of
criteria. These criteria describe the level of achievement expected for the award of each grade.
Award of the Diploma
Each subject is graded on a scale from one point (the lowest) to seven points (the highest). Since
each diploma student takes six subjects then the maximum grade that can be a warded to a
candidate is 42. In addition, there is a maximum of three points available for combined performance
in the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. Thus, the maximum possible score is 45 points.
The minimum score needed to gain the diploma is 24 points, provided that certain conditions are
met. These conditions are:
a- The IB diploma will be awarded to a candidate whose total score is 24, 25, 26 or 27 points,
provided all the following requirements have been met:
1- numeric grades have been awarded in all six subjects registered for the diploma
2- an approved program of CAS has been completed
3- grades A (highest) to E (lowest) have been awarded for both Theory of Knowledge and
an extended essay, with a grade of at least D in one of them
4- there is no grade 1 in any subject
5- there is no grade 2 at higher level
6- there is no more than one grade 2 at standard level
7- overall, there are no more than three grades 3 or below
8- at least 12 points have been gained on higher level subjects (candidates who register for
four higher level subjects must gain at least 16 points at higher level)
9- at least 9 points have been gained on standard level subjects (candidates who register for
two standard level subjects must gain at least 6 points at standard level)
b- The IB diploma will be awarded to a candidate whose total score is 28 points or above, provided
all the following requirements have been met:
1- numeric grades have been awarded in all six subjects registered for the diploma
2- an approved program of CAS has been completed
3- grades A to E have been awarded for both Theory of Knowledge and an extended essay,
with a grade of at least D in one of them
4- there is no grade 1 in any subject
5- there is no more than one grade 2 at higher level
6- there are no more than two grades 2 at standard level
7- overall, there are no more than three grades 3 or below
8- at least 11 points have been gained on higher level subjects (candidates who register for
four higher level subjects must gain at least 14 points at higher level)
9- at least 8 points have been gained on standard level subjects (candidates who register for
two standard level subjects must gain at least 5 points at standard level)
Tawjihi Equivalence
The Ministry of Higher Education at the Palestinian National Authority grants the equivalence of
the IB certificate or the IB Diploma with the Palestinian general secondary certificate (Tawjihi)
provided that the student meets the following conditions:
1- The student should have finished the high school in any country according to the conditions of
the educational authority at that country.
2- One Subject Taken at Higher Level and five subjects taken at Standard Level is enough for The
Ministry of Higher Education at the Palestinian National Authority.
3- To receive the equivalency of the Tawjihi / Science Stream, the student must pass the IBO exams
in the following subjects:
a-
Arabic language and a foreign language from groups 1 and 2
b-
A subject from group 3
c-
A science subject from group 4
d-
Another science subject from group 4 instead of a group 6 subject
e-
A math subject from group 5
f-
One of the two science subjects or the math subject should be at Higher Level
g-
Additional requirements through school - based assessment (This means that for these
subjects The Ministry of Higher Education does not require a certificate from the IBO.
A certificate issued by the school is enough):
I- Theory of Knowledge
II- Religion
III- Physical Education
IV- CAS
4- To receive the equivalency of the Tawjihi / Art Stream, the student must pass the IBO exams in
the following subjects:
a- Arabic language and a foreign language from groups 1 and 2
b- A subject from group 3
c- One of the two languages or the subject from group 3 should be at Higher Level
d- A subject from group 6 or another subject from group 3 instead of the group 6 subject
e- A science subject from group 4
f- A Math subject from group 5
g- Additional requirements through school - based assessment (This means that for these
subjects The Ministry of Higher Education at the Palestinian National Authority does
not require a certificate from the IBO. A certificate issued by the school is enough):
I- Theory of Knowledge
II- Religion
III- Physical Education
IV- CAS
5- Obtaining 21 points out of 42 points is enough for The Ministry of Higher Education at the
Palestinian National Authority.
6- The passing grades for HL subjects are 3-7, and for SL subjects, 2-7. If a student sits for two or
more HL subjects, the additional subjects will be treated as SL subjects regarding the passing
grades.
Results and College Entry
IB graduates gain admission to selective colleges and universities throughout the world. Students
with strong IB examination results may also receive advanced standing or course credit, depending
upon the policy of the institution they are attending.
Teacher Training and Syllabus re Evaluation
The syllabus in each subject is re evaluated every seven years by experts from the IBO in this
subject and by the IB teachers (from all over the world) of this subject. Due to this re evaluation,
many improvements over the syllabus are introduced each time. Each IB teacher should attend a
workshop in his subject. The workshop is organized by the IBO and ran by experts from the IBO in
each subject.
Country Information
There are currently IB World Schools in 124 countries. The IBO works with universities in many
more countries. For each of the 124 countries the IBO maintains a page of information
(http://www.ibo.org/country) about the IB World Schools in that country, university and
government recognition of the IB program and other useful data.
Birzeit University
The IB Diploma is recognized as an admissions qualification for entrance to Birzeit University after
the student makes an equivalence of the IB Diploma by the Ministry of Education and they specify
the branch of the stream of study: scientific or literary. Birzeit University uses the following scale:
7 = 100%, 6 = 95%, 5 = 85%, 4 = 75%, 3 = 65%, 2 = 55%, 1 = 45%
The bonus points are not regarded, as the average could rise to 100%.
The Ministry of Education in Jordan
The Ministry of Education in Jordan grants the equivalence of the IB certificate or the IB Diploma
with the Jordanian general secondary certificate (Tawjihi) provided that the student meets the
conditions. These conditions could be viewed at http://www.moe.gov.jo/arabic/ass.html.
The University of Jordan
The IB Diploma is recognized as an admissions qualification for entrance to the University of
Jordan after the student makes an equivalence of the IB Diploma by the Ministry of Education in
Jordan and they specify the branch of the stream of study: scientific or literary. The University of
Jordan uses the following scale:
7 = 100%, 6 = 95%, 5 = 85%, 4 = 75%, 3 = 65%, 2 = 55%, 1 = 45%
The bonus points are not regarded, as the average could rise to 100%.