Class of 2020 celebrates International Baccalaureate results

With Covid-19 making for an unprecedented final examination and assessment period this summer, international and independent schools are releasing results from the first of this year’s formal qualifications.

A young woman graduate, wearing a mortar board and holding her diploma, takes a selfie
This article was updated on 17 August 2020, to reflect upgraded IB results. While results from the postponed summer session of GCSE, iGCSE and A Levels exams due in August, 174,355 students in 152 countries receive news of their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) studies this week.Students, parents, independent and international schools will be celebrating the fact that May 2020's IB student cohort achieved an average DP score of 29.90 points (of a possible 45). This is an increase on last year’s average of 29.62.The IB pass rate also increased to 78.75 per cent of candidates passing in May 2020 compared with 77.16 per cent in May 2019.
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'Every IB student should be proud of their achievements'

Dr Siva Kumari, Director General at the International Baccalaureate (IB), said: "I would like to share my heartfelt congratulations with all 2020 Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme graduates for their efforts over the last two years.“An IB education has always been about more than results and, this year, students have had to deal with a level of global disruption that has never been experienced before. Every IB graduate should be proud of their achievements, not just in reaching this milestone, but in the great flexibility and commitment they have shown in overcoming such obstacles.“We know that the IB has prepared them to be better learners for life — to be better, more critical thinkers, better at formulating excellent questions and finding the answers, and better suited to adapting to our ever-changing world.”

Why choose the IB?

The number of entrants to the IB programme has grown by 18% over the past five years because of its academic reputation and international transferability. Students study a wide range of subjects up to diploma level. The IB focuses on each student as a whole person, which means that its programmes address not only intellectual development but also social, emotional and physical progress.For relocating families, the IB diploma programme offers the reassurance of a standardised and externally assessed qualification wherever it is taught in the world, which makes it a great choice for those moving frequently.

How were this year's IB candidates assessed?

This year’s May cohort results are based on students’ coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigour and quality control measures built into the programmes. This means that the May 2020 cohort will be awarded a Diploma or Course Certificate that truly reflects their standard of work, says the International Baccalaureate Organization.Paula Wilcock, Chief Assessment Officer at the International Baccalaureate, said: "The IB community has collaborated under extraordinary circumstances to keep students front and centre of our decision making. I would like to thank teachers, administrators, examiners, parents, and of course students for enabling us to issue students with a grade which is reflective of their work."

International and independent schools announce their 2020 IB results

Among the schools announcing their results are Marymount London, Kent College and the International School of London. 
Marymount IB results
At Marymount, for the third year in a row, the graduating class achieved a 100% pass rate in the IB Diploma with an average score of 37 points. This places them in the top 15% of students worldwide, with 28% of Marymount London students scoring 40 points and above (which is higher than A*A*A*A* at A-level); an achievement typically attained by only 5% of students worldwide. Half also achieved 38 points and above. 
Director of Admissions, Mary Burke Tobias, said: "Marymount London is very pleased to share its outstanding 2020 IB results. With a pass rate of 100%, an average score of 37 points (28% > 40 points and 50% > 38 points) and 41% of the class receiving a Bilingual Diploma, these open-minded graduates have been recognised for their leadership and critical thinking skills by top-tier UK and international universities. Marymount has never been more ‘Proudly IB’. Well done, Class of 2020—we cannot wait to watch you take the world by storm!"Top IB scores were also unlocked at Kent College with an average of 35 points. Translated into UCAS (university entrance) points, this is similar to the number of points awarded for straight As at A level and likely to place Kent College among the top IB schools in the UK again this year.Kent College students have benefited from daily scheduled interactive lessons delivered remotely, using Google Classroom and Google Meet throughout the lockdown. These sessions included elective activities for years 11 and 13, once they had completed the work for their exam courses, as well as online sports coaching, choir rehearsals and dramatic performances. The International School of London also saw great success for its students. Paul Morris, Deputy Principal and  IB Diploma Coordinator, comments: "International School of London is pleased to congratulate the IB Diploma class of 2020. In most unusual times they have achieved their potential: with a 100% pass rate the class average of 33 points exceeds the 2019 IBO world average significantly. "Fully 15% of students achieved 40 or more points, again comfortably exceeding the IBO world average, and at the time of writing our highest scorer with 44 points is waiting to see if an examiner's enquiry will award him the single mark that will make that total the maximum possible 45 points."We continue to take pride in achieving world-class outcomes with an inclusive IB Diploma offering where this year 78% of our Diplomas awarded were bilingual, testifying to ISL's commitment to diversity and internationalism." 

ACS International Schools congratulate their students and staff on IB results

ACS International Schools in Cobham, Egham and Hillingdon, UK, and Doha, Qatar have also scored great success in this year's IB results despite the coronavirus pandemic. The cohort of 108 students studying the IB Diploma at ACS Cobham this year achieved a 93% pass rate, with an average point score of 34, which equates to an equivalent of 3 A*’s at A levels.Barnaby Sandow, Head of School, ACS International School Cobham, comments: “We are enormously proud of this year’s cohort of IB students for all of their hard work, their academic excellence, and their sheer resilience in the face of the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus."Similarly high marks were also awarded at ACS International School Egham — the only school in the UK to offer all four IB programmes — where students achieved a 35-point average. Jeremy Lewis, Head of School, ACS Egham, comments: “On behalf of all of the staff at ACS Egham, I would like to congratulate our 2020 cohort celebrating their IB results."At ACS International School Hillingdon, students secured a 34-point average. Martin Hall, Head of School, ACS Hillingdon, comments: “I would like to express well-deserved congratulations to all of the ACS Hillingdon students receiving their results today. The class of 2020 has worked extremely hard and, throughout the past few turbulent months, they have shown nothing but ingenuity, resilience and dedication to their studies and their community."At ACS International School Doha, its 21-strong IB cohort achieved a 100% pass rate, with students securing places at top universities around the world and in Doha. Robert Cody, Head of School, ACS Doha, comments: “We are so proud of our students and staff as they work through the DP results for our students.  I want to thank the students for all the effort and hard work over the past two years.  The year 2020 continues to throw challenges your way and you continue to be upbeat and resilient.  The Class of 2020 is an amazing group of students and I can’t wait for you to have an impact on the larger world."
Students at ACS Doha
Students at ACS Doha

The British School in the Netherlands also recorded excellent IB results: the students’ average point score in IBDP was 34.5. This is in line with their results over the last few years and, given the very challenging circumstances this year, represents very good outcomes for the school and compares very favourably with the 2019  worldwide average point score of 29.6. Eight of The British School in the Netherlands students, almost a quarter of the cohort, scored 40 points or more (maximum IB points score is 45), putting them in the top 7% of students worldwide. The student who studied for the IB Careers-related Programme successfully achieved their award – maintaining the school's 100% record in this qualification.Thirteen students also received a total of fourteen IB Individual Subject Certificates. All of these students achieved very strong results and will use these qualifications to help them on to their university destinations.IBDP students have secured places at a range of universities including The University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrew’s, Technische Universiteit Delft, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, Universiteit Leiden, Universiteit van Amsterdam and Bocconi University, Milan. One student has achieved a place on the ultra-competitive Marine Biology and Oceanography course at the University of Southampton. The IBCP student is heading to Rotterdam University of Applied Science to study International Business.

TASIS England Celebrates Success in Exams and University Acceptances

TASIS The American School in England’s academic offerings include Advanced Placement (AP) courses developed by the American College Board and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). Both provide well-defined pathways to university. The School is extremely proud of the exam results achieved during this challenging year for all students.This year’s IBDP candidates achieved an impressive 98% pass rate and an average point score of 35, considerably higher than the world averages of 77% and 29.9, respectively. In addition, 22% of the students received a bilingual IB diploma, which reflects the School’s Mission to “nurture intellectual curiosity and embolden each learner to flourish as a principled, open-minded, and compassionate member of a global community.”Members of the TASIS England Class of 2020 gained acceptance to a wide range of colleges and universities throughout the world; the extensive list includes 255 institutions located in 18 countries. Over 85% secured places in their first-choice university or college and the graduates’ accomplishments include 61scholarship offers. Of the 107 TASIS England graduates, 96% intend to continue their studies in the autumn and have chosen to attend 65 different institutions – 35 in the US, 20 in the UK, and 10 located in other countries including Canada, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, and Spain.A total of 31 students will move on to 20 universities that are ranked in the top 100 of the Times Higher Education 2020 World University Rankings. The class also includes students who will go on to serve their country after studying at the US Coast Guard Academy and the US Naval Academy, as well as talented artists and performers who will attend the University of the Arts London, The New School, Parsons School of Design, and the New York Film Academy.
TASIS England drive by graduation

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