IB Terminology
External assessment
Some assessment tasks are conducted and overseen by teachers without the restrictions of examination conditions, but are then marked externally by examiners. Examples include essays for language A and theory of knowledge, and extended essays. Because of the greater degree of objectivity and reliability provided by the standard examination environment, externally marked examinations form the greatest share of the assessment for each subject.
Final exam
The IB final exams take place during May of the last year of the IB. Final exams are usually divided into two of three different papers. The questions are in English except in language exams. In most of the subjects the exams are divided across two different days. Therefore the student may have, for example, Biology Paper 3 in the morning and Finnish Paper 1 in the afternoon. Usually the time allocated for each exam paper is fairly short and it requires the student to have good concentration and answer technique. These skills are practised especially during the MOCK exam periods.
If needed, it is possible to retake IB final exams either in the May or November exams. The student is allowed to have altogether three attempts for the diploma. These attempts need not be during consecutive examination sessions.
Group IV project
In group IV subjects (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) a Group IV Project is, together with laboratory work, an internal assessment requirement. The aim is to complete a combined unit of group work of these subjects. In this project the students study a chosen topic from the point of view of each subject and document the outcome.
IB
Tampereen lyseon lukio is a member school of International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) which is a non-profit educational foundation based in Switzerland. It is a private, non-governmental organization recognized by the Council of Europe and has consultative status with UNESCO. IB is led by the director general who is the chief executive officer overseeing the organization’s work from Geneva. A network of regional offices provides services to member schools. There are more than 3 500 IB schools all over the world offering the IB Diploma programme and following its educational philosophy.
Internal assessment
In nearly all subjects at least some of the assessment is carried out internally by teachers, who mark individual pieces of work produced as part of a course of study. Examples include individual oral commentaries in language subjects, student portfolios, class presentations, practical work, mathematical explorations and the exhibition in Visual Arts.
Levels: higher and standard
Higher Level subject comprises 17 study units and a Standard Level subject 10.4 study units.
Theory of knowledge (TOK)
Theory of Knowledge is 7.2 stydy units in length and it is divided throughout the two IB years. The interdisciplinary TOK course is designed to provide coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across disciplines and encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives. TOK course assessment is based on an essay and oral presentation.