Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is an IB core component which is like philosophy. Students will need to think about knowledge questions, which focus on understanding and answering questions about the nature of knowledge and how we know what we know. Students will also explore the different Areas of Knowledge (AoKs) and Ways of Knowing (WoKs).
There are 2 assessment modes:
Exhibition: This is a visual representation of your TOK understanding, and this will showcase your engagement with TOK themes and concepts. Students will need to choose 3 objects and one of the 35 IA prompts, writing a commentary to show how these 3 concepts manifest themselves in the real world.
Essay: Students will need to write a 1600-word essay on a prescribed title, showing their ability to critically analyse and reflect on knowledge.
How students can understand TOK:
- Students should understand the ways of knowing: sense perception, reason, emotion, language, faith, intuition, imagination, and memory. Each WoK has limitations and advantages. Students should try to weave these WoKs in their various examples.
- The Areas of Knowledge are natural sciences, human sciences, the arts, and ethics.
- Students need to think about how their own beliefs influence their interpretation and understanding of events in their lives.
- Students will need to think critically about how they come to form opinions and beliefs on any given topic.
- Students will need to examine how they evaluate evidence they encounter to make informed decisions which are based on rational thought processes.
- When someone or something makes a knowledge claim, students will need to think about the source of the claim. What makes a reliable source? Which ways of knowing are more reliable than others?
Theory of Knowledge is a valuable skill because it makes people think deeper about what they know. It is often not about what you know, but how you know it. Students should read examples of what makes a good TOK essay and exhibition before attempting their own. Students who need help with TOK should consult their TOK teacher.
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As the name suggests, the IB Chemistry Clinic does not only fix a student’s grades - it helps students with critical components of the IB Programme, namely the Internal Assessment (IA) which is worth at least 20% of a student’s grade and their Extended Essay (EE) in Chemistry. The IA and EE are a non-negotiable part of the Chemistry curriculum - without them, students will not be able to graduate with an IB Diploma.
However, there are many difficulties associated with conducting experiments for the IA and EE - many replications are required and the standard for the final deliverable - the research report - is high. Students need to undertake statistical testing and present their final results coherently and concisely.
Although the IB school provides mentors for the EE and teachers at school can guide students through their IA, attention to each student is often limited in a classroom setting and many students are left to figure things out by themselves. This results in difficulty completing internal deadlines on time, especially when a student needs to juggle all their 6 subjects and the additional components of the IB, along with their CCAs and other commitments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to get a 7 in IB?
With time and effort, students who know the syllabus well and are well-prepared and have well-written assignments will easily get a 7 in the IB.
Is IB harder than A Levels Singapore?
The A Level exam is more difficult than the IB exam, but IB involves the Internal Assessment (IA) which features independent research which could be harder than the A Level exam.
Is 43 in IB a good score?
An IB score of 43 is an excellent score.
What is the hardest IB subject combination?
One of the hardest IB subject combinations is PCME, which involves HL Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, along with SL Economics.
What IB score is needed for Harvard/Oxford?
The minimum IB score for Harvard and Oxford is 40 points out of 45 points.
Is 28 a bad IB score?
The average IB score throughout the years has ranged between 28 to 30 points. All students need to score a minimum of 24 points across 6 subjects to be awarded an IB diploma.
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