Why IB Course Preparation?

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At Oxford University Press, we have been publishing in cooperation with the IB for over a decade – developing innovative print and digital classroom resources that meet the diverse needs of teachers and learners across the world. For greater insight into these needs, we undertake formal research, conduct school visits and attend conferences in order to listen to as many IB teachers, coordinators and school leaders as we can.

During these conversations, we are often asked about support for students stepping up to the IB Diploma Programme from pre-16 studies. We hear that, for many students, the challenges associated with embarking on this rich and rigorous course of study can feel immense.

To facilitate this transition, we have devised an IB Course Preparation series, with resources in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology and Economics – each text directly linked to our bestselling DP Course Books, and designed to thoroughly prepare students to meet the demands of the IB Diploma Programme.

Each text offers clear, practical support for pre-DP students – consolidating subject knowledge and skills, and clarifying the unique features and expectations of the IB approach.

The resources are ideally suited to students who are about to embark on the IB Diploma Programme, and who have no previous experience of IB courses at pre-16 level.
They can be used as a course of self-study, or as a classroom text – either within an intensive, pre-DP course, or as part of an extended induction to the IB Diploma.

They are designed to be flexible, and adaptable to your unique needs – providing students with an extra phase of support at this crucial stage in their academic journey, and setting them firmly and confidently on their DP path.

1. Learning the IB approach

We appreciate that it can be tricky to get to grips with the IB way of doing things: How do you integrate concepts, or test skills? What do ATL and TOK mean? What do the assessments look like? Covering these fundamental elements of the IB pedagogy can take up valuable time at the start of the first year of DP, and put progress on hold. We decided to devote the first part of each Course Preparation resource to introducing the DP course structure and approach – including an overview of assessment components and key IB-specific terminology. In doing so, we clarify expectations and build familiarization with the IB approach before students officially begin the course – giving them a significant head-start.

2. Building a baseline of knowledge

No one would argue that managing a group of students of differing abilities, from different schools, who have followed different pre-16 curricula, and acquired varied levels of knowledge, is a challenge. With plenty of content to cover in the two years to come, working from an uneven starting point can feel like an uphill struggle. To tackle this issue, we have dedicated the majority of each Course Preparation resource to a thorough review of fundamental pre-DP subject knowledge and key terms, with plenty of accompanying activities and helpful summaries – ensuring that all learners begin their DP course with the same solid foundation of understanding.

3. Introducing key skills

The Diploma Programme is not just about knowledge acquisition. To truly thrive, DP students should come prepared to draw on a sophisticated skill set – critical thinking, independent inquiry, conceptual understanding – and progress can quickly stall if students aren’t confident in these key areas. We have embedded skills-based activities throughout each Course Preparation resource – facilitating targeted training in inquiry, critical thinking, mathematical and practical skills, and giving all learners the competencies needed to succeed in the DP classroom.

Next steps

For more information on how our IB Course Preparation resources could benefit your students, contact your regional education consultant, or pre-order free online evaluation copies.

Meet the author team

“The main challenge faced by IB students is the transition from the general, largely descriptive school science to the more rigorous, problem-based approach to chemistry and other Group 4 subjects adopted in the IB Diploma Programme. To bridge this gap, I have tried to present the material in a clear and logical manner, with the aim to show that almost any aspect of chemistry can be understood rather than memorised, and used as a stepping-stone to more advanced concepts. This book will help students to develop a systematic approach to learning and at the same time provide all the necessary background for successful and stress-free study of chemistry at the IB level.”

Sergey Bylikin
Author of IB Science Course Preparation: Chemistry

“IB Science Course Preparation: Biology is a resource designed to support students who are planning to join the biology course in the Diploma Programme. This book helps students gain some understanding about the fundamental concepts needed in the biology Diploma course in addition to acquiring some math and practical skills which are essential when conducting practical work, the internal assessment and the extended essay. The book illustrates links to some IB resources such as nature of science, approaches to learning and theory of knowledge. Using this book will help students become better prepared before joining the biology diploma course. The book is carefully laid out, with ideas presented in a simple and easy way, so that it can be used by all students around the world.”

Marwa Bkerat
Author of IB Science Course Preparation: Biology

“Moving to the IB Diploma Programme from the Middle-Years Programme, IGCSE or a national qualification is demanding for all students. I have written this book to ease this transition for those beginning their study of IB Diploma physics. Although early material in the course may be superficially familiar to students, the Programme will demand broader insights as their skills and knowledge develop; the book aims to help them to develop these Diploma-level perspectives. There are worked examples and questions included to help them consolidate their understanding. Many of the mathematical and practical skills required during a physics Diploma course are also covered. Finally, there is a chapter devoted to helping the students to develop their study skills to levels appropriate to Diploma level and beyond.”

David Homer
Author of IB Science Course Preparation: Physics