How to Get Into the IB Program? | Clastify
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How to Get Into the IB Program?

By Roxanne

January 10, 2025

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The IB Diploma Program is a rigorous pre-university program aimed at students between the ages of 16-19 and is highly regarded by colleges and universities worldwide. If you are interested in doing this program, you may be wondering how to get in. This post is here to help clarify how to get into the IB program. 

 

 

How to Get Into the IB Program?

 

 

 

Unlike college admissions, there is no standardized procedure to get into the IB program - i.e. you do not need to apply directly to the IB and wait to receive an admissions decision. Instead, you need to apply to IB World Schools directly. The decision to be admitted to the school and hence to the IB program depends on the admissions committee at the respective IB World Schools you are applying to. This is important especially if you are switching schools to pursue the IB program. You may need to submit report cards from your previous high school and take an admissions test before you are admitted. 

 

 

Transitioning to the IB Program in Upper Years

 

 

However, some schools offer IB in their upper years of education (eg: American curriculum till grade 10 and IB in grades 11-12). In this case, the student does not need to apply to the IB World School if they are already in this school from lower grades as they will automatically be moved to the IB program in the upper years of high school. 

 

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Choosing Between Regional Curriculum and IB

 

 

However, there may be some schools in which IB is offered alongside the regional curriculum even in upper years (eg: both IB and American curriculum are offered in grades 11-12), and admission to IB is only given to those who apply and have high grades. In this case, it is up to the student to choose whether they would like to continue in the regional curriculum or switch to the IB program. If the student decides to switch to IB, they need to make sure they meet the grade requirements as outlined by their respective school. 

 

 

We hope this guide has helped you understand how to get into the IB program. For more help with IB content, you can browse through our library of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify, as well as other guides available on our blog.

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