2011 IB Diploma Programme Results Again Show no Grade Inflation

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International Baccalaureate

11 Jul, 2011, 08:00 GMT

GENEVA, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Results for the May 2011 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme examination session were issued on Tuesday 5 July. Approximately 41,000 diplomas were awarded globally with over 90 students worldwide achieving 45 points - the highest total a Diploma Programme student can obtain.

The pass rate of the full diploma in 2011 is 77.75% and Director General Jeff Beard highlighted that "The IB's unique assessment model is criteria-based and designed to ensure a high level of both validity and reliability. As a result, IB diploma pass rates remain consistent year-on-year and are not subject to the grade inflation trends seen with other educational systems." 

The pass rates for the past 5 years are:

Pass rate per examination session

May 2007    78.78%

May 2008    79.02%

May 2009    78.71%

May 2010    78.06%

May 2011 (preliminary figure)    77.75%        

The preparation of exam papers and mark schemes begins at least 18 months before the examinations. The session reaches its climax in June with about 50 grade award meetings, each one led by a Chief Examiner. Around 270 examiners attend the grade award meetings to establish grade boundaries in each subject, enabling us to issue full and accurate results on 5 July.

Approximately 111,500 Diploma Programme candidates sat exams in the May 2011 examination session, an increase of 8% over May 2010. This session, staff in the Assessment Division will have liaised with around 7,000 examiners, received and processed two million raw marks and issued half a million grades.

 

About the International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate is a not-for profit foundation, which offers three high quality and challenging educational programmes for a worldwide community of schools. For over 40 years, IB programmes have gained a reputation for their high academic standards, for preparing students for life in a globalised 21st century, and for helping to develop the citizens who will create a better, more peaceful world. The IB currently works with over 3,280 schools in 141 countries.  http://www.ibo.org

For press information, contact: tim.nettleton@ibo.org