What is the IB Diploma Programme?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is a two-year pre-university qualification taken by many Singapore students. Students study six subjects — three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level — plus a compulsory core of three elements, and the diploma is scored out of 45 points.
Key facts
| Subjects | 6 (typically 3 HL + 3 SL) |
| Core | Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, CAS |
| Max score | 45 points |
| Passing score | 24 (with conditions) |
| Session in Singapore | Mostly November |
Six subjects across six groups
IB students choose one subject from each of six groups: Studies in Language & Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts (a sixth subject can be taken from another group instead of the Arts). This breadth is a defining feature — students keep a language, a humanity, a science and mathematics throughout.
Higher Level vs Standard Level
Of the six subjects, students take three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). HL subjects are studied in more depth and over more teaching hours; SL subjects are narrower in scope. The HL choices usually signal a student's intended university direction. Our HL-vs-SL guide covers how to choose.
The core: EE, TOK and CAS
Three compulsory elements sit at the centre of the diploma. The Extended Essay (EE) is an independent, ~4,000-word research piece. Theory of Knowledge (TOK) examines how we know what we know, assessed by an essay and an exhibition. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is a portfolio of experiences beyond academics. Together EE and TOK can earn up to three bonus points.
How the IB is scored
Each of the six subjects is graded from 1 to 7, giving up to 42 points, plus up to 3 bonus points from the EE and TOK combination — a maximum of 45. A score of 24 is generally required to pass, subject to conditions across HL/SL and the core. The blend of grades, independent research and breadth is what universities read into an IB transcript.
The IB in Singapore
Most Singapore IB World Schools sit the November examination session, with results released around the new year (a minority sit the May session, with July results). Internal coursework — IAs, the EE and TOK — is completed across the two years, so the workload is spread, not concentrated only at the final exams.
Frequently asked questions
How many subjects does an IB student take?
Six — one from each of six subject groups — with three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, plus the compulsory core (EE, TOK, CAS).
What is the maximum IB score?
45 points: up to 42 from the six subjects (7 each) plus up to 3 bonus points from the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.
What score do you need to pass the IB?
Generally 24 points, subject to conditions across Higher and Standard Level subjects and the core requirements.
Which IB session do Singapore schools sit?
Most Singapore IB World Schools sit the November session, with results around the new year; some sit the May session.
More IB guides
BrainBuzz publishes plain-English guides on the IB core, subject groups and exam technique. Browse the blog for more.
Read more guides