The International Baccalaureate is one of the most widely recognised international education systems in the world. It's designed not only to prepare students for university, but to develop critical thinking, research skills, and independence. And unlike many programmes, it spans the entire school journey — from nursery to the final diploma.

The three stages of IB

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PYP — Primary Years Programme
Ages 3–11 · Grades 1–6
Learning through inquiry, curiosity, and exploration. Students connect subjects together rather than studying them in isolation. No external exams — assessment is internal and ongoing.
→ Emphasis on understanding and curiosity
🧑‍🎓
MYP — Middle Years Programme
Ages 11–16 · MYP 1–5
Developing academic skills and applying knowledge. Students study a broad range of subjects and complete a significant Personal Project in MYP 5. Optional external eAssessment at the end.
→ Transition from exploration to structured learning
🎓
DP — Diploma Programme
Ages 16–18 · DP1 and DP2
The most academically demanding stage — and the one universities evaluate. Students take 6 subjects (3 at Higher Level, 3 at Standard Level), write an Extended Essay, study Theory of Knowledge, and complete CAS.
→ Combines breadth and depth — the gold standard for university entry

The three core components of the Diploma

Beyond the six subject exams, every IB Diploma student must complete three additional requirements — and these are what make IB genuinely different from other programmes.

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EE — Extended Essay
4,000-word research paper
Students choose a topic, formulate a research question, and conduct independent research — similar to a mini university thesis. Supervised by a teacher but independently written.
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TOK — Theory of Knowledge
How do we know what we know?
A course about the nature of knowledge itself. Students explore how knowledge is constructed across disciplines. Assessed through an essay and an exhibition/presentation.
🌱
CAS — Creativity, Activity, Service
Life beyond the classroom
Students engage in creative activities, physical activity, and community service throughout the two years. Not graded, but must be completed to receive the diploma.

How IB scores work

IB assessment is not based on exams alone — the final score combines multiple components, all externally moderated to ensure consistency across schools worldwide.

How the 45-point score is calculated
6 subjects × up to 7 points each
42 points
Extended Essay + Theory of Knowledge (combined)
up to 3 points
Maximum total score
45 points

What is a good IB score?

The global average IB score is around 30 points. Here's how scores map to academic levels:

Score Level What it means
24 Minimum pass Minimum required to receive the Diploma
30 Good Global average — solid foundation for most universities
35 Strong Opens doors to competitive universities worldwide
38–40 Very strong Expected for top UK and European universities
42–45 Exceptional Top 1–2% of IB students globally

What do universities expect?

Top UK universities (Oxford, Imperial, UCL) typically require 38–40+, with 6–7 points in relevant Higher Level subjects. Top US universities look at the overall academic profile — strong predicted scores (often 38+) matter, but so does the rest of the application. Requirements vary significantly by subject and university, so always check individual entry requirements.

Important: Not all students who study IB receive the full Diploma. To earn it, students must reach minimum total points, pass required subjects, and complete EE, TOK, and CAS. Students who don't meet the full requirements may receive individual subject certificates instead.

How to evaluate an IB school

Not all IB schools are the same — being an authorised IB school says nothing about the quality of results or teaching. Here's what to look at:

1
Average IB score
The global average is ~30. A strong school averages 34–36; a top school 38+. Schools Reviews shows verified average scores where available — look for these in school profiles.
2
Score distribution — not just the average
Ask how many students score 40+ and how many are near the minimum. Averages can be misleading if a large portion of students barely pass while a few pull the number up.
3
Diploma completion rate
What percentage of students who start the DP actually receive the full Diploma? A high average score with a low completion rate is a red flag.
4
Subject options and Higher Level availability
Can the school offer the HL subjects your child needs for their target university programme? Smaller schools may have limited HL options.
5
Teacher experience with IB
IB-trained teachers and experienced EE supervisors make a significant difference — especially for the Extended Essay and internal assessments.
6
Academic support and university guidance
Strong IB schools provide writing support, exam preparation, and dedicated university counselling — ideally starting from DP1, not just in the final year.
Looking for IB schools in Portugal? We show verified IB average scores on school profiles where data is available. Browse IB schools in Portugal →