The actual IB programme differs from the national curriculum in the number of subjects (six subjects) and in that their teaching is not clearly organized in courses. Therefore the exams are held in different manner. There are two exam periods (Mock- exams) during the school year. Also the working methods (working in groups, preparing essays, doing investigations/ laboratory works, giving presentations etc.) require active participation and motivation from students.
IB subjects are selected during the spring term of the Pre- IB year. The students choose their programme of the six subjects to be studied over two years, from the following:
Group 1: Language A1 (best language; Finnish, English self- taught)
Group 2: Language A2 or B (second best language; English, Swedish, French)
Group 3: Individuals and Societies (history, psychology, philosophy)
Group 4: Experimental Sciences (biology, chemistry, physics)
Group 5: Mathematics (HL, SL Methods or Studies)
Group 6: Electives (possibility to choose another subject from group 3 or 4 or another language)
The student chooses one subject from each group. These subjects form the IB Diploma. The student must have at least three (but no more than four) higher level subjects and two or three standard level subjects. Higher level subject equals 8,5 courses and a standard level subject 5 courses.
In addition to these subjects the students study the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and they have to complete the CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) which is an experimental component of the diploma. The aim of the CAS programme is to educate the whole person. TOK is a course that examines the origins and validity of various forms of knowledge. The aims of the course are to gain an understanding of what it means to know something and to develop the critical thinking.
The students are also required to write an Extended Essay of some 4000 words. The Extended Essay is an in-depth study of a limited topic chosen from one of the subjects of the IB Diploma Programme. The essay permits student to deepen his/ her programme of study.
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