What is IB DP Physics?

What is IB DP Physics? A brief introduction for students starting the course

IB DP stands for “International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme”

The Diploma Programme is a two-year high school programme for students aged 16 to 19.

It is similar in some respects to the A-Levels in the UK and the AP program in the US.

Many international schools are accredited by the International Baccalaureate organization to deliver the IB Diploma Programme.

If your school offers this programme, you can take Physics at Standard or at Higher Level (SL and HL for short).

At Standard Level the total number of teaching hours is about 150 and at Higher Level is about 240.

These durations include the theory, the practical work, an individual scientific investigation called “Internal Assessment” (or IA for short) and a collaborative science project.

At the end of the two-year course, examinations are held in May or November, depending on your location.

All students take two papers. The difference between SL and HL is the duration of each paper.

Paper 1 consists of multiple-choice questions and data analysis questions. It is 1 h 30 minutes for SL students and 2 hours for HL students.

Paper 2 consists of short-answer and extended-response questions. It is 1 h 30 minutes long for SL and 2 h 30 minutes for HL

The final grade is based on the exam grades (80%) and the Internal assessment score (20%).

IMPORTANT NOTE: This video is not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Baccalaureate organization.