International Baccalaureate – Subjects
The International Baccalaureate offers a wide range of subjects, divided into six main categories. This structure allows students to individually tailor their curriculum to their interests and future, including those related to university education. Each student, from the subjects offered by the institution, must choose at least 3 subjects at the Higher Level (HL), with the option of selecting up to 4 subjects at this level. Among the required subject groups are:
- Studies in Language and Literature – In this group, students study their native language or another language they know well—in our country, Polish is most chosen, which is a compulsory subject for Polish students. The program includes literature analysis, studying various texts, and developing advanced writing and communication skills.
- Language Acquisition – Students learn a new foreign language or continue learning a language they have previously mastered at an intermediate or high level. The goal is to develop communication skills, understand cultural context, and achieve broad language proficiency.
- Individuals and Societies – Subjects in this group focus on studying human behaviour, societies, history, and cultures. Choices include subjects such as psychology, geography, history, business management, global politics, philosophy, or economics. Students analyse various aspects of contemporary environments and acquire research skills.
- Sciences – Exact and natural science subjects, such as biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS), or Design Technology. Students develop scientific thinking skills, learn experimental techniques, analyse data, and learn to apply theory in practice.
- Mathematics – In the IB program, students can choose mathematics at two levels of advancement: Analysis and Approaches (for students with a more analytical approach to mathematics) and Applications and Interpretation (for students who want to apply mathematics in practical contexts, such as statistics or modelling). Students learn not only to solve mathematical problems but also to understand how mathematics affects the world around us.
- The Arts – The last group includes artistic subjects such as visual arts, music, theatre, or film. Students can choose one of these subjects if they are interested in developing creative skills, artistic analysis, and the practical production of works of art. Instead of art, they can decide on another subject from Group 3 or 4.
Depending on the student’s preferences and plans, almost any of these subjects can be taken at the Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). Students must choose one subject from each group, except for The Arts, which can be replaced by another subject from Group 3 or 4. As part of educational counselling, our mentors are happy to assist in selecting subjects that will fully utilize the student’s potential and help them get into their dream university.
What is the IB Diploma?
The IB Diploma is a program that combines a wide range of subjects with demanding projects and final exams. In the IB program, students choose subjects from six main groups and obtain credits from three integral elements of the program: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service).
Unlike traditional curricula, the IB Diploma emphasizes a holistic approach to education—students must develop their skills not only in specific subjects but also in areas such as independent thinking, analysis, and presentation of their work results. IB tutoring provides valuable support in facing the challenges posed by this intensive program.
Internal Assessments
Internal Assessments (IA) are mandatory projects for each subject in the IB program, taking on various forms depending on the discipline:
- Oral work in languages
- Fieldwork in geography
- Laboratory work in the sciences
- Investigations in mathematics
- Artistic projects
It is very important to choose an appropriate topic and formulate a solid research question, properly prepare materials, and conduct thorough literature research. Fitting into the assessment criteria—which differ for each subject and can change with curriculum updates—is also essential.
Working on Internal Assessments can take a considerable amount of time and effort. Therefore, it’s crucial to start early and plan your work effectively to operate efficiently.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
TOK is an interdisciplinary course aimed at developing critical thinking and reflection on the nature of knowledge. Students ask questions like: “How do we know what we know?” or “How to interpret available information in the context of a given problem?” and explore how different ways of knowing (such as reason, emotions, sensory perception, or language) influence our understanding of the world.
The primary goals of TOK are to reflect on what knowledge is and how we acquire it, as well as to understand how different fields of science generate and develop knowledge. This course also teaches critical thinking and looking at problems from various perspectives. As part of TOK, students must write an essay of up to 1,600 words (TOK Essay) on a selected topic and prepare a presentation of three objects (TOK Exhibition), which can be interpreted in the context of predetermined themes.
Extended Essay (EE)
The Extended Essay is an independent, long-term research project that students undertake on a topic of their choice related to one of the IB subjects. The essay has a maximum of 4,000 words and serves as preparation for producing future academic papers at university. The aim of the EE is to develop research skills, academic writing, and independent project management.
EE topics can encompass a wide range of fields—from literature and history to natural and social sciences. It is also an excellent opportunity for students to delve into their interests, which will help them make decisions when choosing future studies.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – Creativity, Activity, Service
CAS encourages students to engage in projects that develop their creativity, physical activity, and social engagement. It is an attempt to connect learning with real life, where students not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also learn how to influence the world around them.
CAS is an extremely important element of the IB program, which helps students develop social skills, empathy, and civic responsibility. The program requires regular participation in CAS activities over two years, and students document their engagement and reflections on the experiences gained. CAS only requires a pass and is not graded separately. Nevertheless, students must demonstrate activities from each of the categories: creativity, activity, and service.
- Creativity requires involvement in creative activities, such as art, poetry, music, or personal projects.
- Activity, in turn, is an opportunity to maintain a healthy lifestyle, for example, by taking up a new sport.
- Finally, Service is a chance to do something for the local community in the field of unpaid charitable work, which often allows one to acquire new skills.
How to Prepare for the IB Diploma After a Regular High School?
For students attending traditional high schools, taking the IB Diploma is possible but can prove to be a challenging endeavour. The IBDP (IB Diploma Programme) itself is a two-year cycle (equivalent to the last two years of high school in the Polish system), which allows for a change after the second grade (though this may involve changing schools, as only some institutions offer the IB program) and starting preparations for the International Baccalaureate.
This program differs significantly from typical teaching in Polish schools, and IB tutoring turns out to be the most effective way to catch up on differences and understand the specifics of this process.
At Tuteer, we offer support at every stage of learning—we introduce students and help them get acquainted with the new program, choose appropriate higher-level subjects, and prepare for exams. It’s worth noting the significantly wider range of subjects to choose from—we have access to fields such as economics, Global Politics, or psychology. Thanks to our experienced tutors, students who decided to take the International Baccalaureate after a regular high school can count on support tailored to their individual needs. Those who are still undecided are invited to consultations, where we will gladly explain what the entire curriculum entails and what its advantages are.
Prepare for the IB Diploma with Tuteer’s Help
Students who take the IB Diploma often face challenges previously unknown to them. IB tutoring at Tuteer is a guarantee of support from an experienced team that assists in fully understanding the material and effectively preparing for exams. Our tutoring is conducted flexibly, supporting students in effective time management and making the most of the opportunities offered.
If you want to succeed in the International Baccalaureate, contact Tuteer. We offer professional IB tutoring that will help you acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. Choose quality, flexibility, and experience—meet our tutors and ensure the best support in preparing for the IB Diploma.
Why Is It Worth Using IB Tutoring at Tuteer?
Choosing the right tutoring is the key to success in the IB exam. At Tuteer, we offer comprehensive support for students who wish to achieve the highest results in the International Baccalaureate. Our IB tutoring is conducted by experienced tutors who not only know the program perfectly but also can adapt proven and effective teaching methods to the individual needs of the student.
Classes are held online, providing full flexibility and the ability to adjust the schedule to students’ daily obligations. IB tutoring at Tuteer includes not only help in mastering selected subjects and support before the exam but also comprehensive advice in developing the projects and tasks required within the program.
Our priority is the success of our students. We offer full support at every stage of learning—from choosing subjects, through project preparation, to intensive preparatory courses before the final exams.