If You're New to the IBDP, Here's What You Need to Know

If You’re New to the IB Diploma Programme, Here’s What You Should Know...

October 10th, 2025

Every so often I get emails from teachers who are curious about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Some are applying for jobs at IB schools.

Others are just interested in what makes this curriculum unique. And almost all of them ask the same thing:

“What exactly is the IB Diploma Programme?”

It’s a fair question. I grew up in Ohio in the 1980s and 1990s, and back then nobody had ever heard of IB. I was an AP kid. So when I first came across IB in my teaching career, I assumed it was just another version of Advanced Placement.

I was wrong.

The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) isn’t just a set of advanced classes. It’s a full programme, with its own philosophy, structure, and requirements. It has different roots, different methods, and very different desired outcomes.

So, if you’re new to IB, or you just want to sound like you know what you’re talking about at your next job interview, here’s a clear overview.

A Little Bit of History

The International Baccalaureate was created in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968. Its original purpose was practical...

To give children of diplomats and globally mobile families a standardized high school curriculum that would be recognized by universities all over the world.

But from the start, it was about more than just academics.

The IB was built on a philosophy of international mindedness. It sought to prepare students not only to enter higher education but also to understand the interconnectedness of the world and to act responsibly within it.

That’s why its mission statement talks about developing “inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people” who “help to create a better and more peaceful world.”

When you look at the IB through that lens, the structure of the programme makes sense. It’s not just about grades. It’s about shaping students into thoughtful, reflective, and engaged global citizens.

The Big Picture - The Four Main Tasks of IB Students

Every IB Diploma student takes on four main tasks:

Take six IB courses
Complete the Theory of Knowledge course
Write an Extended Essay
Engage in Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS)

That’s their life as IB students. Let’s look at each piece a little closer.

Task 1: Take Six IB Courses

Students choose six subjects, one from each of these groups:

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
Group 2: Language Acquisition (a second language)
Group 3: Individuals and Societies (history, economics, geography, etc.)
Group 4: Sciences
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts (or a substitute from another group)

Three of the six must be taken at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL).

Don’t think of HL as “harder” and SL as “easier.” In most subject areas, Economics is a good example, HL just means more content. That’s all.

Task 2: Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

This is often the most misunderstood piece of the IB puzzle. I’ve taught it for years, and let me clear one thing up right away: TOK is not philosophy class.

TOK is about how we know what we know.

Students explore the sources of knowledge that shape their beliefs—whether those come from science, culture, religion, intuition, or personal experience—and then reflect on how reliable those sources are.

The goal is what I like to call creating “beautifully flexible minds.” Minds that can take in new information, weigh it thoughtfully, and adapt their thinking without fear.

Along the way, students must complete two required tasks:

The TOK Exhibition, where they choose three objects and connect them to one of the IB’s prescribed prompts, showing how TOK ideas appear in the real world.

The TOK Essay, where they select one of the IB’s prescribed titles (topics) and write a 1,600-word essay exploring it with real-life examples and clear reasoning.

When TOK is taught well, students love it.

Task #3: The Extended Essay

Every IB Diploma student writes a 4,000-word research paper.

This is called the Extended Essay (EE), and it gives students a chance to dive deep into a subject they care about. It could be economics, biology, history, literature, or even something more niche.

The EE is meant to mirror the process of academic research: framing a question, conducting investigation, organizing evidence, and presenting a structured argument.

Each student is assigned a supervisor (usually a teacher in that subject) to mentor them through the process. Done well, the EE is one of the most rewarding parts of the IB—it pushes students to think and write like young scholars.

Task #4: Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS)

CAS is the part of IB that makes the programme holistic. It requires students to grow outside of the classroom.

Creativity might mean art, music, writing, or any project that involves imagination.

Activity involves physical exertion, whether that’s athletics, hiking, dance, or anything active.

Service is about contributing to the community through meaningful engagement.

Students also complete a CAS Project, a collaborative effort that lasts at least a month. This could be anything from running a school play to organizing a charity fundraiser.

CAS reminds students that their education is not only about grades and exams—it’s also about becoming thoughtful, active members of their communities.

Why It’s Different

So why is IB different from AP or A-Levels?

Because it is not just about taking advanced courses. It is about weaving together a set of experiences—academic, personal, and reflective—that shape the student as a whole.

IB Diploma students are constantly managing a full plate: six courses, an Extended Essay, a TOK Exhibition and Essay, ongoing CAS projects. They are juggling deadlines, learning time management, and stretching themselves in multiple directions.

It’s a lot. Imagine being 17 years old and having all of this on your plate. But here’s the thing: they do it. And in the process, they grow into adaptable, resilient, and curious young adults.

My Take

I’ve taught IB for years, and both of my own kids graduated from the Diploma Programme. I can tell you it’s like no other high school curriculum.

It demands a lot of students, but it also gives back just as much. It helps them think critically, reflect deeply, and connect their learning to the world around them.

At its best, the IB keeps its promise: to develop “beautifully flexible minds.”

And that’s why schools all over the world continue to embrace it.

See you next week.

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities...

Book a Custom Training for Your IB Faculty - If your school would like a tailored training on the updated Extended Essay guidelines, we’d love to help—onsite at your campus or live online—just send me an email at [email protected] and we’ll work together to make it happen.

Effectively Supervising the New Extended Essay in Any Subject Area - November 8th, 2025 - This focused and practical workshop is designed to help teachers confidently navigate the updated Extended Essay framework for the Class of 2027. Together, we’ll explore what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how to effectively guide students through both the Subject-Focused and Interdisciplinary pathways.

Brad Cartwright

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