The IBDP Core

The IBDP Core

The Core is a unique aspect of the IB Diploma Programme. It is made up of three student-centered subjects; Creativity, Activity Service (CAS), the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE). All three components of the Core need to be completed to a satisfactory level in order for students to receive the Diploma.

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)

With its holistic approach, CAS is designed to strengthen and extend students’ personal and interpersonal learning whilst providing further opportunities for students to develop their IB Learner Profile attributes. Students are required to complete a number of experiences and at least one project covering the three strands and the seven outcomes.

CAS aims to develop students who:

  • Enjoy and find significance in a range of CAS experiences.
  • Purposefully reflect upon their experiences.
  • Identify goals, develop strategies and determine further actions for personal growth.
  • Explore new possibilities, embrace new challenges and adapt to new roles.
  • Actively participate in planned, sustained and collaborative CAS projects.
  • Understand they are members of local and global communities with responsibilities towards each other and the environment.

Extended Essay (EE)

The EE is a compulsory, externally-assessed piece of independent research into a topic chosen by the student and presented as a formal piece of academic writing. The EE is intended to promote university-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity while engaging students in personal research. This leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured writing of up to 4,000 words in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned, coherent and appropriate manner.

Students are guided through the process of research and writing by an assigned supervisor who specialises in the discipline they will focus on. For example, a student who is looking to complete their EE within the History discipline is paired with the IB History teacher. All students undertake three mandatory reflection sessions with their supervisor, including a short interview, or viva voce, following the completion of the EE.

EE topics may be chosen from a list of approved DP subjects—normally one of the student’s six chosen subjects for the IB diploma or the world studies option. World studies provides students with the opportunity to carry out an in-depth interdisciplinary study of an issue of contemporary global significance, using two IB disciplines.

Students complete a 4,000 word essay for the successful completion of EE, which is externally assessed. The EE contributes to the student’s overall score for the Diploma through the award of points in conjunction with TOK.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

The TOK course plays a special role in the DP by providing an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature, scope and limitations of knowledge and the process of knowing. In this way, the main focus of TOK is not on students acquiring new knowledge but on helping students to reflect on, and put into perspective, what they already know. 

TOK underpins and helps to unite the subjects that students encounter in the rest of their DP studies. It engages students in explicit reflection on how knowledge is arrived at in different disciplines and areas of knowledge, on what these areas have in common and the differences between them.

All students study the Core Theme of Knowledge and the knower, which provides an opportunity to reflect on themselves as knowers and thinkers, and on the different communities of knowers to which we belong.

Students are also required to study two optional themes from the following five Ways of knowledge (WOKs):

  • Knowledge and technology
  • Knowledge and language
  • Knowledge and politics
  • Knowledge and religion
  • Knowledge and indigenous societies

In addition, students are required to study the following five Areas of knowledge (AOKs):

  • History
  • The human sciences
  • The natural sciences
  • The arts
  • Mathematics

Students complete the Internal assessment (33%) component, which is the TOK Exhibition and the External Assessment (67%), which is the TOK Essay on one of six prescribed titles.

AssessmentA maximum of three points are awarded according to a student’s combined performance in both the EE and TOK. These points will contribute to the total IB score achieved.