Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

What is the IB?

The IB is an international non-profit educational foundation founded in 1968. Today it includes 3668 schools from 146 countries worldwide and is considered an internationally recognized educational system. The diploma awarded at the end of the IB Diploma programme allows students to enter the leading universities of the world without additional entrance examinations. The IB implements 4 educational programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) is for students aged 3 to 12, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) is for students aged 11 to 16, the Diploma Programme (DP) is for students aged 16 to 19 and the IB Career Certificate, again for students aged 16 to 19, is the newest offering of the IB.

 

What is the Diploma Programme?

The Diploma Programme is an academically challenging two-year programme for students aged 16 to 19 (11^th and 12^th grades). At the end of the second year the students take their final examinations organized by the IB and are awarded either a diploma or a certificate that allows them to enter a number of world universities without entrance examinations.

 

What are the advantages of an IB student?

The IB DP is the best educational programme for those who intend to get a higher education at the leading universities of the world.

The programme is aimed at developing well-rounded, international-minded students who are well aware of national and international values, are developed physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. These values are acquired by different methods. The students are provided with all favorable conditions for gaining profound and excellent knowledge. That is why the diploma awarded at the end of the programme is recognized by a number of world leading universities and gives students an opportunity to get scholarships for studying abroad.

 

How does the IB system work in Armenia?

Armenia joined the IB world schools in 2011. Quantum College was the first school in Armenia to become a member of the IB system and to be authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme. In spring, 2013 the Anania Shirakatsi Academy was authorized to implement the IB Primary Years Programme. The third school to become a member of the IB is Dilijan Internationl School, which was authorized to offer the IB DP in authumn, 2013.

 

The IB at Quantum College: our first graduates

Quantum College which became an IB World School in 2011 gave its first graduates in 2013. The first 12 IB DP graduates of Armenia showed excellent results with their average grade exceeding the world average for about 5 points, which allowed some of our brilliant students to get a higher education at leading universities abroad.

 

Who can study in the IB?

Anyone who is well-rounded, motivated, has a profound knowledge of English and is good at mathematics, natural and/or social sciences can become an IB student.

 

Which is the instruction language of the IB?

All the subjects within the framework of the IB system are taught in English.

 

Who teaches in the IB?

Our IB teachers are highly qualified professionals with a number international workshop and professional development certificates. Many of our teachers are qualified IB examiners. We also have teachers invited from abroad.

 

What are the subject groups of the IB DP?

The IB Diploma Programme includes 6 subject groups and the three components of the DP Core: the Extended Essay (EE), the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS).

 

Which are the assessment criteria?

There is a 7 scale grading system for each subject and the maximum grade for the core components is 3. The maximum total points gained from the final exams is 45.

 

What graduation certificate do the IB graduates get?

The IBDP graduates get an Armenian State Graduation Certificate alongside with the IB diploma which allows them to enter world leading universities without additional examinations. To get an IB diploma a minimum of 24 points is required.

 

In which case will the candidate fail to get a diploma?

In case of not gaining the minimum of 24 point the graduate gets a certificate instead of a diploma. Like the diploma, the IB certificate is accepted by a number of world universities as well, although these universities are not the world leading ones.

 

Which universities recognize the IB diploma?

The IB diploma is recognized by more than 1800 universities in 75 countries worldwide. The students who provide the minimum grade threshold required by the university, enter it without additional examinations.

 

What is the Pre-IB?

The preparatory courses (Pre-IB) are a unique bond between RA Secondary Education programmes and the IB curriculum. They are meant for students of 8^th, 9^th and 10^th grades. The courses allow students to get acquainted with the IB DP subjects, provide them with knowledge of English that meets the IB requirements, prepare them for individual research work, CAS projects and so on.