October 2011

The IB Senior year Registration Extended Essay Internal Assessments calendar College Applications Preparing for the mock exams in December More Internal Assessments Preparing for the May exams During the exams Keeping going Finishing up

Registration Sept 26 – Oct 7 Registration for May 2012 exams Oct 19 Payment deadline to Business Office (Adjusted: when school opens) IB Seniors will have registered for subjects and received an invoice for the examination fees. Individual examination schedules distributed in November General examination schedule on ISB IB blogISB IB blog

Extended Essay (Diploma only) Students working on EE February – October Due date: October 31 st (adjusted: reopening day) EE calendar on IB blog Supervisor meetings throughout essential for authentification for IB Graded A to E – E will receive no diploma Significant contribution to college applications

First semester Internal Assessments All examinees must completed the necessary internal assessments Internal assessments contribute to the final examination score Students must keep to the deadlines set, including being present for oral presentations as arranged by teachers There is an IA calendar for students on the IB Blog Teachers and the Coordinator have deadlines that must be met in order for the work to reach the examiners on time

College applications Priority in first semester Balancing workloads of apps and school work – the importance of keeping to deadlines and being organized Making the most of the IB scores in the application: predicted grades required by UK, Canada, Australian and many US colleges Advice from counselors Increased interest in students taking the diploma and certificates

Preparing for the December ‘mocks’ End of semester assessments – written examinations using IB questions from previous papers Great practice for the real thing! Students will find out from teachers about mock exam content Reading and reviewing strategies vary from student to student Mock exam environment – MPB, IB protocols for testing Feedback from exam papers – very useful learning tool, not to be wasted/discarded!

Second semester: internal assessments Main ‘season’ for internal assessments so it’s a busy time Some of the work continued from first semester so not new but needs to be completed by a known deadline Organized so avoid last minute ‘pile up’ of work to be completed – deadlines are firm as teachers have to process and complete important paperwork and met their deadlines Orals in English and World Languages are recorded and assessed. Attendance on designated day is essential. All work or samples sent to examiners – samples chosen by the IB system not by the school

Preparing for the May exams Recommend low level prep in Winter break Discuss strategies for review –what works for you? Plan for gradual building January - May Curriculum work finished by March Review in class (throughout 2 nd sem and in April) – don’t depend on this being the only review necessary Past exam papers used by teachers Review sessions with teachers April Most difficult time – college acceptances, senioritis, etc. Released from classes after April

Before and during the examinations Most difficult time – college acceptances, senioritis, peer pressure, etc. Know your exam schedule (fridge copy?) Sufficient sleep, no late night cramming Feeling prepared Be on time or even a little early for examinations (cannot admit candidates after 30 minutes of starting) Quiet study place – self discipline needed to avoid distractions (chat, SMS,etc.), good prep for college!

Keeping going… Most difficult time – college acceptances, senioritis, etc. Parents can support here – finishing line is graduation after the exams! Conflict of interests – friends with few or no exams, social events, etc. Need support at this time Once finished, return to school for any non-IB senior exams (IB certificate) and then for graduation/end of year orientations (all seniors)

Finishing up…results!!! Receive a packet of necessary paperwork in March which will include: 1. Access PIN code for results – students will info to school so they have a permanent record 2. Form for release of results to university – very important this is submitted on time If predicted grades were required on college app this is essential!! 3. Envelope for mailing address for diploma or release form for pick up 4. Calendar for end of school activities

June 4: Graduation and beyond!! Keep copy IB details and PIN code for checking results for the summer July GMT IB sends official results to college, not ISB, from July 6 onwards (Electronic or snail mail depending on arrangements made by college with IB) IB sends official diplomas and certificates to ISB in late August – will be mailed or held for collection according to previously submitted instructions

Thanks for coming! Jayne Lund