17 September 2020

COVID-19 (coronavirus) updates

As we continue to monitor the situation for members of the IB community who are impacted by COVID-19 (coronavirus), we will update this page with developing news and actions that are being taken to support and protect our community. We understand that the situation for many is very difficult at present and wish to offer our empathy and support during this time.

Last update: 17 September 2020, 15:00 CET

Topic links:

May 2020 Diploma Programme/Career-related Programme assessment, learning and teaching | Information for November 2020 examination session | Information for May 2021 examination session | Middle Years Programme (MYP) eAssessment | Learning and teaching | Primary Years Programme (PYP) | Recognition | Authorization and evaluation | Travel and events

This mark highlights the most recent changes.

May 2020 Diploma Programme/Career-related Programme assessment, learning and teaching

May 2020 DP/CP examination session

Our students, their well-being and their progression in future stages of life have been at the forefront of our thinking as we respond to this extraordinary pandemic.

As an organization, it is critical for us to ensure that the options we provide for our IB community, students and teachers are fair and compassionate during these difficult circumstances. We want to thank you for your patience and consideration. As a result, the IB with considerable advisement from stakeholders across the globe including schools, students, universities and official bodies have tried to determine the most responsible and ethical way forward.

The IB put into place the following actions:

The DP and CP examinations scheduled between 30 April and 22 May were no longer held.





The students were awarded either a diploma or a course certificate which reflects their standard of work. The achievement was based around the students’ coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor and quality control already built into the programmes.

You can find out more about the awarding model for May 2020 here.

All COVID-19 related resources Links to all COVID-19 (coronavirus) related news, resources and inspiring stories from our global community coping with remote learning. Visit our COVID-19 microsite

May 2020 DP/CP results update

Following the release of results on 5 July 2020, the IB listened carefully to our IB community. Students' health and their progression are important to us as we continue to face the COVID19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Our review and analysis of the detailed information submitted by schools offered invaluable insights, leading the IB to evaluate and recommend grade adjustments, where applicable, that we believe are fair to all students in the May 2020 session.

You can read more about the grade adjustment for May 2020 Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme here.





Results Review Request

Since the grade adjustments were announced on 17 August 2020, the IB has paused review cases at this point to give schools the opportunity to review and reflect on the adjusted grades and discuss with their students.

The IB has written to all schools with result review requests to detail the next steps-students can contact their coordinator to discuss options once they have reviewed their adjusted results.





Enquiry Upon Results (EUR)

For those students who have already received an IA grade change as a result of a completed EUR, the IB has used the revised IA grade when awarding the revised final grade.

The IB has paused open EUR requests where the grade was increased by the grade adjustments. We will continue any EUR for students whose grade has not been changed. If a school had an EUR in progress for a student that has had a grade uplifted, the EUR will automatically be cancelled and refunded.

If you would still like to pursue an EUR after reviewing the new results coordinators can contact support@ibo.org. The deadline for EUR requests is 15 September 2020.

How were the May 2020 DP/CP results calculated?

The May 2020 awarding model is not an alternative to the examination session, but our best estimation of how students would have performed had they taken the examination. Each subject has its own design of coursework and final examinations, and we ensured that the model developed for each subject/option/level/time zone was the best possible model for the calculated mark for each student. The awarding model had three components:

Student coursework– Examining all student work rather than only moderate aims to maximize the confidence that every student will receive a fair mark overall, by the IB having seen at least one piece of work from every student.





Predicted grade – All students received the same weighting for their teacher delivered predicted grades.





School context – For each subject in each school, a unique factor was created based on historical prediction data, and the same school factor was applied to every student in that school for that subject/option/level. This factor used historical data to model the predicted grade accuracy as well as the record of the school to do better or worse on examinations compared with coursework.

Will students be able to appeal their results?

Each student has the opportunity to go through an Enquiry Upon Results (EUR) or appeals process, as they would under usual circumstances in previous exam sessions. In addition to the usual request for appeals process, in this exceptional session the IB is providing a new service to work with schools to review outcomes of extraordinary cases. There are three priority areas for review: (i) candidate level discrepancy (ii) subject level discrepancy (iii) whole cohort discrepancy. Further details on the May 2020 review of outcomes for extraordinary cases can be found here.

The deadline for schools to submit review requests is 14 August 2020. Schools wishing to re-activate requests following on from the ‘May 2020 review of outcomes’ update referenced above must let us know by 31 August 2020.

My Category 1 enquiry upon results was completed with a change to the coursework grade, but no change to the final grade. I have since received a revised final grade in that subject. Will I be charged for the EUR?

No, schools will not be invoiced for Category 1 EURs completed under these circumstances. There is no need for schools to contact the IB to request a refund, the EURs will be automatically removed from the invoicing process.

Can I retake the exam if I am unhappy with the result?

Yes, students will be able to retake in a future session.

Will the IB refund fees for DP/CP (including exam fees and inquiry upon results fees), adjust the registration fee rules, or cancel alternative venue requests?

Schools pay IB Assessment fees per subject for each student in return for comprehensive assessment and support. You can see the full list of services schools and students receive here.

Although this year students have not sat the written examination component, they will receive assessment of student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated assessment objectives of Diploma Programme courses.

Assessment will be undertaken in line with our normal procedures and quality assurances. Student results will be based on the externally marked assessment components and overseen by independent chief examiners. Students will be receiving diploma results or certificates that reflect their standard of work. Therefore, we will not be refunding the candidate subject examination fees. Results will be released as planned on 5 July and normal results services including transcript transmission to universities and Enquiry Upon Results will be available.

Why do some students in my school have the same scaled total mark for the same subject/level, but different final grades?

The communication sent to schools by Siva Kumari on 17 August 2020 referred to students’ subject final grades increasing to be equal to the internal assessment (IA) result if the predicted grade is higher than or equal to the coursework grade, or if the predicted grade is one grade lower than the coursework grade. Please note that eligible students’ final grades have increased but their scaled total marks have stayed the same. You may notice on some reports that candidates with the same scaled total mark have different final grades. This is because of the adjustment that was made to the final grades. Examples below:

If the PG is higher than the IA grade, then the IA grade will be applied as the final grade. Example:

Predicted Grade IA Grade Current Final Grade Revised Final Grade 6 5 4 5

If the PG is the same as the IA grade, then the IA grade should be applied. Example:

Predicted Grade IA Grade Current Final Grade Revised Final Grade 6 6 5 6

If the PG is one grade point below the IA, then the IA grade should be awarded. Example:

Predicted Grade IA Grade Current Final Grade Revised Final Grade 5 6 4 6

Will the May 2020 DP and CP results certification look the same as usual?

Yes. The DP and CP results certification will look the same as usual.

Will all of the rules of eligibility for the Diploma still apply?

The usual rules for the award of the Diploma as shown in the General Regulations will apply in May 2020.

Will all of the rules of eligibility for the CP certificate still apply?

The usual rules for the award of the CP certificate as shown in the General Regulations will apply in May 2020.

Guidance on service learning, language development and personal and professional skills is provided in this document.

Can I request the legalization service for my May 20 DP/CP candidates?

Coordinators can complete late legalization requests for May 2020 candidates by emailing legalization@ibo.org , with the candidate name, session details and Country requirement. Please refer to section B7.5 of the DP Assessment Procedures/B7.7 of the CP Assessment Procedures. The legalization process will be carried out as soon as possible. The IB is reliant on third parties and embassies being open and engaged in the process and we will be monitoring the situation closely.

Can I request the legalization service if I sat DP/CP exams in November 19 or before?

The legalization service is available on a limited basis (with potential delays) for candidates who completed their IB qualification in November 19, or before. The IB is reliant on third parties and embassies being open and engaged in order to accept/process any request.

Requests from candidates from May 19 or before can be completed through the RRS.ibo.org website.





Requests from schools for Nov 19 candidates must be submitted to legalization@ibo.org.

Results documentation Certification The May 2020 Diplomas, Diploma results, Course results and Career Related Programme certificates are being dispatched to IB schools throughout September. Legalization With delays owing to COVID-19, if legalization has been requested then Legalized documents may not reach you until late October. Should you require to communicate this to your respective university, we have created a ‘Letter to universities’ document which you can download here. Transcripts If universities are registered to receive results electronically then they will automatically receive notification of grade changes. Those registered as paper format will receive an updated transcript; transcripts related to the August results adjustments have been processed and sent to institutes.

Anticipated and retake information

What happens with the grades obtained in the anticipated session (May 2019)—will the certificate reflect that the grade includes the May 2019 exams?

The grades achieved within the anticipated session will be reflected in the certificate.

I am an anticipated candidate this session, will I still receive a grade?

Yes, anticipated candidates will be treated like all other candidates this year and will be awarded a grade based on the work submitted to the IB.

If I am an anticipated candidate this session will my grade count towards my final award?

Yes, the grade you receive this session will count towards your final Diploma or Career-related Programme certificate in the usual way. As usual you will also be able to retake your anticipated subject in future sessions, if the subjects are available.

Will IB assess anticipated candidates who are registered for May 2020 with the same model that they will use to assess DP/CP and course candidates?

Yes. Anticipated candidates who take part in May 20 will be treated the same as other candidates.

I want to retake a subject in a future session, can I carry forward my May 2020 coursework mark?

Yes. Marks for coursework submitted in May 2020 can be carried forward to a future session, as long as the subject allows coursework outcomes to be carried forward to the session you are retaking in.

Will this count as a session under the three-session rule?

No, this session will not count as a session for the three-session rule for regular, anticipated or retake candidates.

Can May 21 DP/CP candidates who were registered as anticipated in May 20 take exams in November 20?

Candidates registered as anticipated in May 20 can defer to the November 20 session, as long as their subject is available. If anticipated candidates choose to keep their May 20 registration and want to improve the outcome, they will be able to retake in November 20, if their subject is available.

I have been working on preparing for my retakes over the past 6-12 months and I believe my predicted grades should have gone up. Can I change my predicted grades?

No. The IB will only consider adjusted predicted grades when verified by your school as evidenced by on-going work assessed by the school.

I have been enrolled for the last year/6-months at a school and I have been taking classes. The school has registered me for the May 2020 session and has set predicted grades for me based on my work this year. Can the new predicted grades be used for this session along with the new coursework submitted?

Yes. The school will need to verify any changes in predicted grades based on your performance in school-based work over the last 6-12 months.

How do I inform the IB that a candidate wants to defer to a later examination session?

As a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, if any DP/CP, retake, course or anticipated candidate wishes to defer their November 2020 registration to a future examination session, the Programme Coordinator must submit the request in writing (via email) to support@ibo.org.



For deferral requests related to adverse or medical circumstances, Programme Coordinators should follow the usual process and submit a 'Candidate(s) affected by adverse circumstances' (D2) using the "Adverse circumstances" link under "Contact us" on IBIS or by email to adverse@ibo.org .



No additional fee will be charged to complete the deferral. Please note, the deadline for a deferral request is 29 May 2020.



Before submitting any request for deferral, Programme Coordinators must check subject availability for the requested/intended deferred session.

What is the registration deadline for the DP/CP November 2020 session?

The first deadline to register for the subjects normally available in a November session was 15 May 2020. The late registration deadline was 15 July 2020.





The deadline to request a deferral from May 2020 to November 2020 was 29 May 2020.





The deadline to register a six-month retake for the November 2020 session is 7 September 2020.

The deadline to register for the subjects that have been newly added to the November 2020 session is 7 September 2020.

My student does not want to defer to the November exam session due to university admissions deadlines. What are my student’s options?

Students should discuss their options with their DP/CP coordinator and university admissions officers. The IB is communicating with universities globally about the current situation and will continue to do so.

I am a coordinator and I have been contacted by a candidate who has already left the school and they need me to help with their retake, what do I need to do?

You will need to verify that the candidate who was previously registered at your school has submitted new coursework.

If work that is locked in the school becomes available at a later date, can I submit it?

The school can request that the candidate’s outcome remains pending until the work can be submitted. If the work is submitted before the close of session on 15 September the candidate will be awarded a grade. The coordinator should contact IB Answers (support@ibo.org) with details of the candidate session number, subject, level and the component that will remain pending.

If a calculated mark has been awarded using the missing mark procedure, no further work will be accepted after the issue of results. If a candidate wishes to submit work it will need to be submitted in a future session, if the subject is available.

If one of my candidates is able to complete a piece of work but not at the level they have been working at all year due to COVID-19 circumstances, what should I do?

Where a candidate has completed the assessment task but believes the quality of their work is lower than it would have been had the pandemic not occurred, the IB cannot adjust their mark. This is because there is no robust approach to determine the unique impact of their situation on their mark.

As all students will have been affected by the pandemic we will adjust for this for the whole cohort in our usual grading processes.





Examiners will be instructed to ignore any issues relating to candidates completing work under COVID-19 (coronavirus) circumstances if they are unrelated to what is being assessed, for example poor quality videoing of a performance or background noise on a recording. This is in line with our usual processes.





In this situation the candidate may wish to resit the subject in a future session, if the subject is available.

Will exam papers for the May 2020 session be made available for schools to purchase in the normal way?

We will not be making exam papers for the May 2020 session available for schools to purchase. Exam papers are only available for purchase after they have been used in an exam session.

Information for November 2020 examination session

IB statement on November 2020 DP and CP examinations

We understand that while some students have returned to schools, others are continuing with remote learning. The well-being of your school’s community has been on our mind as we continue to closely monitor global circumstances as we plan ahead for the November 2020 examination session.

At this time, the November 2020 exams are moving forward for schools that are able to administer the examinations. In the event that the exam session cannot take place, the IB will use procedures to ensure students can be assessed and awarded either the Diploma, Career-related Programme certificate or course results which reflect their standard of work.

We know that schools and candidates registering for the November 2020 session will have many questions. We have developed November 2020 specific FAQs to be updated regularly on this same web page. Additionally, we will continue to be available to answer questions. If you are part of an IB World School faculty and require support, please contact support@ibo.org

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), schools are currently closed in many countries across the world. The IB is monitoring the situation closely. In September, the IB will provide schools with an online form to provide status updates as their local situation changes.

Coursework and Internal Assessments

The IB has asked schools to submit all internal coursework components, along with teacher comments and criteria marks, for all your students registered for the November 2020 session. This work will be externally assessed by IB examiners. Guidance on which coursework to upload and how to submit teacher comments is available for schools on the PRC here.

The IB has published a document which provides guidance to schools and teachers to help them support students working remotely in completing these assessments. The document contains two sections:

General guidance applicable across DP subjects



Subject specific guidance for internal and other non-examination/coursework assessment components.

The supporting guidance can be accessed on the PRC.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) related adjustment for examination components

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): During these unusual times of social distancing and lockdowns, the IB understands that completing CAS may be difficult for many students. We will still require schools to indicate a student has completed this requirement, but we will be flexible in how this looks. We have every confidence that schools will guide your students in making their best endeavours to meet CAS requirements with modifications so as not to compromise their health and safety.

Group 2: Listening component: As we recognize the challenges to prepare students adequately for the assessment of a skill not previously assessed during a period of limited teaching and learning time (and the additional challenge of delivering these assessments safely whilst maintaining social distancing) we have decided to postpone the introduction of the listening component (paper 2) for language acquisition until 2022.

How can the CP service learning, personal and professional skills course and language development requirements be met? Guidance on service learning, language development and personal and professional skills is provided in this document.

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), schools are currently closed in many countries across the world. The IB is monitoring the situation closely. In September, the IB will provide schools with an online form to provide status updates as their local situaiton changes.

IB World school educators can find Additional guidance for the completion of internal and other non-examination/coursework assessment components for November 2020 Diploma Programme subjects on the Programme Resource Centre here.

Will the IB make any changes to the November 20 exams?

In response to unprecedented disruptions to school communities, the IB has convened COVID-19 Response Teams representing the perspectives of regional educators, university recognition, global accreditation bodies as well as teaching, learning and assessment experts. These response teams are working together to ensure that decisions about the November 2020 assessment session are informed by principles of fairness and compassion to avoid putting undue stress on students during this challenging time.

While these decisions are complex given the global challenges we still face, , our aim is clear: to protect the health and safety of students, parents and teachers.



The IB will continue to update schools with timely guidance ahead of the November 2020 session. Please check back regularly for updates.

Which extra subjects have been added to the November 2020 session?

The below subjects have been exceptionally added to the November 2020 session to accommodate May 2020 students who wish to re-take and sit the exams that were cancelled in May 2020. This exceptional provision is due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic:

Mathematics HL in French





Mathematics SL in French





Mathematical Studies in French





Further Mathematics in English





Ten languages have been added to group 1 and group 2. Please see details in the table below.

The updated November 2020 exam schedule can be found on the PRC: DP here CP here



Regular registration fees apply for these additional subjects until 31 August 2020. After this date the registration window will stay open, but late fees will be charged.

Literature (HL & SL) Language and literature (HL & SL) Language B (HL & SL) Language ab initio SL Group 1 EE Group 2 EE Arabic ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Danish ✓ N/A ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Dutch ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A ✓ ✓ Finnish ✓ N/A ✓ N/A ✓ ✓ German* ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Italian ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Norwegian ✓ ✓ ✓ N/A ✓ ✓ Polish ✓ N/A N/A N/A ✓ N/A Russian ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Swedish ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

*German Lit/LAL/B/EE are automatically available in November 2020

Please note: the subjects shown as n/a were not available in May 2020 and so won’t be made available for re-takes in November 2020.

What changes will the IB make to the November 2020 exams?

As we recognise the challenges that schools are facing to prepare candidates adequately for the assessment of a skill not previously assessed during a period of limited teaching and learning time we have decided to postpone the introduction of the listening component (paper 2) for language acquisition until 2022.

What are the deadlines for upload of materials?

We are requiring all schools to upload all internal assessments (IAs) for every candidate enrolled in the November 2020 session except for the DP and CP core subjects, Language A subjects, Arts subjects and the Global Politics HL Extension Oral. For the DP and CP core subjects, Language A subjects, Arts subjects and the Global Politics HL Extension Oral, samples of IA will need to be submitted for moderation as usual. It is critical that schools start upload these as soon as possible.

All schools should enter predicted grades.

For concerns regarding any specific subject coursework completion and/or uploading please contact support@ibo.org .

What is the registration deadline for the DP/CP November 2020 session?

The first deadline to register for the subjects normally available in a November session was 15 May 2020. The late registration deadline is 15 July 2020.





The deadline to request a deferral from May 2020 to November 2020 was 29 May 2020.





The deadline to register a six-month retake for the November 2020 session is 7 September 2020.

The deadline to register for the subjects that have been newly added to the November 2020 session is 7 September 2020.

My student does not want to defer to the November exam session due to university admissions deadlines. What are my student’s options?

Students should discuss their options with their DP/CP coordinator and university admissions officers. The IB is communicating with universities globally about the current situation and will continue to do so.

If my school is unable to administer the November 2020 exams, how will grades be awarded?

Should your school be under closure due to Covid-19 an alternative grade awarding approach will be triggered, using coursework and other evidence. The IB will provide further information on the grade awarding approach prior to examinations.

Will the IB be awarding Diplomas, Career-related Certificates and course results this year?

Yes.

Will students be awarded a grade for each subject, the core and overall?

We will be awarding subject grades, Diplomas and Career-related Programme Certificates for the November 2020 session. At a subject level, students will be awarded a grade on the normal IB 1-7 scale. Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay and the Career-Related Programme Reflective Project will be awarded a grade on the normal IB A-E scale. The DP core will be awarded on the normal IB 0-3 scale. A total points score will be awarded for the Diploma, out of 45 as normal.

Will the usual passing conditions for the Diploma apply in November 20?

The usual rules for the award of the Diploma as shown in the General Regulations will apply in November 20.

Will the usual passing conditions for the CP certificate apply in November 20?

The usual rules for the award of the CP certificate as shown in the General Regulations will apply in November 20.

I am a student, and my school is closed due to COVID-19 (coronavirus)—what do I do?

If your school is closed, please contact your coordinator or head of school. The IB is communicating regularly with schools that have been impacted.

Will the IB account for the disruptions in learning and teaching due to COVID-19 in the November 2020 session?

For November 2020, the IB will use in-session mitigations to ensure fair outcomes for students. This include a range of strategies that may be implemented during the marking, standardisation and grade awarding processes. In-session mitigations are tailored to the unique circumstances of each session; the IB uses them, where appropriate, during all examination sessions. For more information please refer to Assessment principles and practices—Quality assessments in a digital age.

How will schools inform the IB if they are unable to administer the November 2020 exams due to Covid-19?

Schools will receive a short online form in early September formally requesting that you update the IB on your school’s ability to administer the November 2020 examination session safely, given your local government’s requirement. Your mandatory response will inform whether we dispatch examination materials to your school.

If schools are unable to administer exams will the IB refund fees for DP/CP (including exam fees) or adjust the registration fee rules?

Although, students may not be able to sit the written examination component, they will receive assessment of student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated assessment objectives of CP and DP courses. Assessment will be undertaken in line with our normal procedures and quality assurances. Student results will be based on the marked and moderated assessment components and overseen by independent chief examiners. Therefore, we will not be refunding the candidate subject examination fees.

Will the registration fee be refunded for N20 re-take candidates who decide to withdraw their registration after receiving revised final M20 grades?

Yes, the N20 re-take registration fee will be refunded for candidates who withdraw their registration after receiving revised final M20 grades.

What should we do if our school is not in one of the affected areas, but we do have candidates who travelled into one of the affected countries and, as a result, have been unable to return to lessons at the school?

We ask that schools with impacted candidates contact the IB’s Adverse Circumstances team at support@ibo.org.

I am unable to return to my school because of travel restrictions—what do I do?

Please contact your coordinator or head of school. There are options available for students to keep up with their education, including transferring to another IB World School or completing presentations and oral assessments virtually.

Coursework guidance

Guidance for completing coursework for each subject group

For further details about the requirements for internal assessment (IA) for each subject group, please read the IA guidance.

For further details about the requirements for DP CP ARTS (Group 6) components, please read the DP CP Arts guidance.

For further details about the requirements for Group 4, please read the Group 4 guidance

For further details about the requirements for Social Anthropology, please read the Social Anthropology Guidance.

For further details about the requirements for Career-related Programme, please read the Career-related Programme guidance.

What are the DP/CP coursework deadlines for November 20? Will they be altered if the November 20 examinations are cancelled?

The coursework deadlines for the November 20 session are as shown in the DP Assessment Procedures section A1.1/CP Assessment Procedures section A1.1. We do not intend to alter them if the November 20 examinations are cancelled.

If one of my candidates can't complete a piece of work by the deadline due to COVID-19 circumstances, should I request an extension?

If extra time would allow a candidate to complete work for a component, please request an extension. The coordinator should contact IB Answers (support.ibo.org) with details of the candidate session number, subject, level and the component that cannot be completed. Please note that we will make every effort to release the results on time, but there may be a delay to issuing results where extensions are given, which may result in a pending (P) grade on results release day.

Are students registered for November 2020 examinations required to complete CAS?

During these unusual times of social distancing and lockdowns, we understand that completing CAS may be difficult for many students. We continue to require schools to indicate a student has completed this requirement, but we will be flexible in how this looks for students. We have every confidence that schools will guide students in making their best endeavours to meet CAS requirements with modifications so as not to compromise their health and safety.

I'm concerned that my students may not be able to complete the minimum requirements of one (or more) of their Group 6 coursework components. Should I submit the work they have been able to complete?

No. For the Group 6 coursework components only work which is completed to the minimum requirements and can be assessed against all published assessment criteria should be submitted. By submitting work, the school is confirming that the work uploaded is assessment ready and is a true representation of the performance and attainment of the candidate. If the circumstances surrounding a candidate’s inability to complete work is related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the school should submit a request for consideration for the missing mark procedure to be applied.

How do I apply for consideration for the missing mark procedure and when?

The school should contact support@ibo.org to initiate this process. The request should be titled “Notification of non-submission of a Group 6 component” to ensure that it is directed swiftly to the correct recipients. The request should clearly state the name, the session number and the missing component of each candidate along with a brief explanation of the circumstances leading to non-submission. It is always in the candidate's interest to submit completed work. Therefore, this option should only be used once all other options have been exhausted. Requests should not be submitted before 15 October for the November 20 session. The missing mark procedure requires data which only becomes available at the very end of the assessment process. It is therefore unlikely that schools will be contacted with the outcome of their request until the beginning of December.

Are the assessment criteria going to be changed, e.g.: ‘will there be any flexibility in terms of the minimum number of pieces required for the exhibition of the visual arts students?

The IB will not change the criteria it assesses or the work that is required to be submitted for assessment. Where an activity is not assessed, for example, the DP visual arts or MYP personal project exhibitions, schools have discretion to pursue alternative ways of providing this experience.

How can teachers authenticate work that is being completed remotely?

Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of an IB education and should be embedded throughout the learner journey and school ethos. Teachers should follow normal procedures to authenticate work to the best of their knowledge and reiterate the importance of academic integrity with their students. The IB expects teachers to use best endeavor, but also recognizes the difficulties faced as the result of remote working. The IB will undertake additional checks for plagiarism and collusion.

It is the responsibility of the school to ensure that IB rules and regulations are adhered to. For more information on the IB rules and regulations.

Please review both:

The school maladministration penalty matrix (page 28, section 1.2)





The student academic misconduct penalty matrix (page 32, section 2.2)

Both matrices illustrate what the consequences are for instances where the rules and guidance are not followed and identified by the IB. The document also has a dedicated section for parents (page 17–18), which explains that undue assistance to their children is not acceptable.

The IB is aware of many tutoring companies across the world offering support to IB World Schools and IB candidates. Other individuals and parents can also offer face-to-face supporting services. Both cases are unacceptable as they provide students with undue assistance.

It is the school’s responsibility to follow IB rules and regulations. All IB documents are clear in what is and is not permitted in terms of support to IB candidates. IB World Schools are obliged to follow that guidance and authenticate only what is the true/genuine and unaided work of a candidate.

How can we use video conference or video calls for language oral assessments?

Due to the evolving nature of the situation for schools, the IB has re-visited this scenario and has created a policy around conducting remote oral activities without the need for physical invigilation.

Maintaining academic integrity is paramount in the completion of IB assessment and examinations. Therefore, teachers conducting any of the assessments listed above, must ensure that they are conducted in full adherence to the guidelines described in the relevant subject guides and assessment procedures when trying to replicate the conditions followed when completing such tasks in the school.

For language orals, please ensure that the principles and procedures below are adhered to:

Copy of any abstract or stimulus sent to the candidates must be clean copies



Copy of any abstract/stimulus sent to the candidates must not be previously known or discussed with the candidate





Preparation time must be supervised (remotely)





Notes taken during the supervised preparation time must be short





Notes taken during the supervised preparation time must only be consulted and not read during the recording time





The room should be free of any written material on the walls or ceilings, regardless of whether these appear related to the subject being examined (some judgement may be required regarding visual material) **





Only one blank piece of paper must be available on the candidate’s desk for note taking**

** students can be asked to show their rooms with their mobile phone cameras (walls and areas underneath their desks) to confirm that no unauthorized materials are visible/hidden.

Internet outages or technical issues during remote oral assessments

For oral assessments being conducted over Skype (or similar), it is recommended that an external recording device is used. If technical or internet difficulties occur, the recording can be paused and restarted when the issue is resolved. If a recording is paused, the teacher should explain the reason (on the recording) after restarting. Should internet outages or technical issues mean that the oral assessment cannot continue, it must be rescheduled to a later date. In this case, please ensure that a new assessment is given to the candidate(s) concerned.

How can we use virtual presentations for DP theory of knowledge (TOK), extended essay (EE) and global politics HL internal assessments if our school is closed?

To enable DP/CP students impacted by school closure because of COVID-19 (coronavirus) to complete their assignment with their teacher, the IB supports the remote completion of the reflective project, theory of knowledge, viva voce completion of the extended essay and global politics HL extension presentations, to be completed as virtual presentations using video conferencing applications, such as Skype, Zoom or similar methods.

Ideally, the teacher should set up a virtual situation that resembles the face-to-face presentation as closely as possible. The IB recognizes that presenting via video conference is a different skill to presenting in person and that the candidates may find it to be a more difficult experience. However, because of the nature of the presentation, where the quality of the student’s thinking is being assessed and not their presentation skills, this is a viable alternative in these exceptional circumstances.

When marking the presentations, the teacher is reminded that it is the subject matter that is being assessed and not to make any adjustments for poor quality connections or problems with the sound. Schools are also able to request an extension to submission dates, should this be required. A reminder that for the RP and EE, while the viva voce/final reflection may take place virtually, the student’s written summary of the meeting must still be included on their uploaded RPPF for assessment.

Please note that the remote completion of the reflective project, theory of knowledge, viva voce completion of the extended essay and global politics HL extension presentations is permitted for candidates for the M20, N20 and M21 assessment sessions.

How can we use video chat or voice calls for language orals when a candidate’s school is closed, and the candidate is in a different country with an available IB World School?

The candidate can take the oral / complete the extended essay viva voce at another local IB World School, if the host school provides a teacher to conduct the assessment and the recording is sent to the candidate’s registered school for marking.



The candidate can take the oral / conduct the TOK presentation / complete the extended essay viva voce at another local IB World School over video chat / voice call with their usual teacher conducting the assessment but a teacher from the host school must be present as an invigilator for the candidate. In this way, a candidate can do their assessment remotely with their usual teacher but without compromising examination integrity.

In neither scenario do we require any paperwork, such as an alternative venue form, to be completed nor additional notes required to be added in teacher comments. This arrangement does not need approval from the IB and can be managed by the school with no need to notify us.

Sourcing a host school to support this arrangement is the responsibility of the candidate’s registered school. We recommend using the Find an IB World School search on the public website to support your research.

We can't meet the deadlines to upload works, how can we apply for an extension?

Please contact IB Answers on support@ibo.org to request an extension. Please note that results cannot be guaranteed on the 16 December 2020 where extensions are given, which may result in a pending (P) grade on results release day.

The original deadlines apply. For internally assessed (IA) work the deadline is 20 October 2020. For externally assessed coursework the deadline is 30 October. For MYP information please navigate to the MYP section of the FAQ.

Can candidates upload Internal Assessment (IA) work that will now be externally assessed by the IB?

By default, *, candidates will be given the option to upload their Internal Assessment work (that will now be externally assessed) to the school for submission to the IB. Once uploaded by the candidate, the submission will appear in the ‘Candidate submitted, pending school upload’ status, which is visible on the eCoursework dashboard. At this stage, the school must upload the ‘Criteria marks and teacher marking comments’ document, complete the authentication process and submit to the IB for assessment.

For further information regarding uploading work to the eCoursework system, please refer to the eCoursework user guide and eCoursework user guide for candidates available on the programme resource centre.

* There is functionality within the system for a school to restrict access to candidates and upload the work themselves (this is explained in the eCoursework user guide).

Will the eCoursework screens be re-opened if work has already been submitted?

No, if work has already been submitted, then it is this work that the IB will mark. In addition, we are advising schools to upload all completed coursework as soon as they are able to.

Will all eCoursework be marked?

Yes, all submitted materials will be assessed.

Should we upload unfinished work?

No, please ask for an extension if required.

Can schools bulk upload from Turnitin?

No. The eCoursework system will be used and normal processes followed.

Do we need to enter, verify marks and enter criteria marks and comments for IA?

For components which are not being externally marked you will still need to enter, verify marks and enter criteria marks and comments in IBIS. This applies to the IA for the core, Language A, the Arts subjects and Global Politics HL Extension Oral.

What are the requirements for adding teacher annotations and criteria marks?

We will need teacher annotations and criteria marks for each piece of work uploaded. We understand that this does involve significant additional work. If this is already contained in original works this is fine, if it is not you will need to upload a separate document containing these for each student and each piece of work. For schools who are unable to meet the advertised deadlines an extension can be provided but we would be unable to guarantee results by the 16 December.

Do I need to upload a clean copy of works without teacher marking comments and criteria marks and then upload a separate document containing these?

If uploaded works contain teacher marking comments and criteria marks this is fine there is no need to upload a clean copy. The system will require the upload of a separate document but if this detail (teacher marking comments and criteria marks) is included in the original works then you will just need to upload a file stating that these are included in the original work.

Why does assessment require the criterion marks and teacher annotations? What will this be used for?

The IA tasks are designed for teacher assessment. Teachers know the level of support and guidance given to each candidate and other factors that are relevant when marking the work. The teacher marks and comments will be displayed to the examiner when they mark the work.

Can schools access the criteria marks and teacher comments that were previously entered in IBIS?

Schools no longer have access to these screens in IBIS. However, examiners will have access to this information for any coursework that was submitted before changes were made to the eCoursework upload screens.

Do we need to upload all IAs for TOK?

No. Only a sample will be required for the TOK Presentation.

Are we required to upload all language orals, or still following the moderation process?

The Language A (group 1) subjects will only require samples of the IA orals and will follow the moderation process. The Language B and Language ab initio subjects (group 2) will require all candidates’ orals to be uploaded for external marking.

Can my November 2020 candidates complete their Group 1 LIT / LAL Individual Oral Assessments and Group 2 Individual Oral Assessments remotely following the guidance laid out for May 2020 candidates?

Yes – this is acceptable. The preferred medium is Skype or a similar online platform.

For November 2020 candidates - teachers should follow the guidelines as outlined for May 2020 candidates, including remotely supervised preparation time.

Should I submit coursework which has only been partially completed due to circumstances relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus)?

If the candidate has other components within the subject that are complete then no, partially completed work should not be submitted. The missing mark procedure can be applied to this component.

If this is the only piece of work the student is submitting for this subject then yes, the partially completed work should be submitted.

In both cases you should contact IB Answers to inform them of the candidate session number, subject, level and the component that cannot be fully completed.

If a candidate can't complete a component due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) circumstances, can they still get a grade for the subject or will they get an N?

If a candidate can't complete a component due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) circumstances despite making reasonable efforts to complete it, it will be possible to calculate a mark for the missing component as long as the candidate has submitted complete work in at least one other component. The DP/CP coordinator should contact support@ibo.org with details of the candidate session number, subject, level and the component that cannot be completed. For information about the missing mark procedure please refer to pages 195-196 of Assessment Principles and Practices: Quality Assessments in a Digital Age.

How will a mark be awarded for a component which is missing due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), if the candidate has submitted complete work in at least one other component?

If a candidate cannot complete a component due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) circumstances despite making reasonable efforts to complete it, a mark will be calculated by comparing the candidate's performance on the completed component(s) with the average performance of other candidates. For more details of the missing mark procedure please refer to pages 195-196 of Assessment Principles and Practices: Quality Assessments in a Digital Age.

If one of my candidates can't complete a piece of work by the deadline due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) circumstances, should I request an extension?

If extra time would allow a candidate to complete work for a component, please request an extension. The coordinator should contact IB Answers (support@ibo.org) with details of the candidate session number, subject, level and the component that cannot be completed. Please note that results cannot be guaranteed on the 16 December 2020 where extensions are given, which may result in a pending (P) grade on results release day.

What conditions need to be met for a candidate to be awarded a calculated mark for a missing component?

The work is missing/incomplete due to circumstances relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus).





The candidate must have submitted completed work for at least one other component in the subject. If a candidate cannot submit any completed coursework for a subject, there would be no evidence on which to calculate a mark.





The candidate must have made a reasonable attempt to complete the work.





The candidate would not be able to complete the work even with an extension. For example if the work requires specialist equipment within the school and it is unknown when the school might re-open.

If work that is locked in the school becomes available at a later date, can I submit it?

The school can request that the candidate’s outcome remains pending until the work can be submitted. If the work is submitted before the close of session on 15 February the candidate will be awarded a grade. The coordinator should contact IB Answers (support@ibo.org) with details of the candidate session number, subject, level and the component that will remain pending.



If a calculated mark has been awarded using the missing mark procedure, no further work will be accepted after the issue of results. If a candidate wishes to submit work it will need to be submitted in a future session, if the subject is available.

If one of my candidates is able to complete a piece of work but not at the level they have been working at all year due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) circumstances, what should I do?

Where a candidate has completed the assessment task but believes the quality of their work is lower than it would have been had the pandemic not occurred, the IB cannot adjust their mark. This is because there is no robust approach to determine the unique impact of their situation on their mark.

As all students will have been affected by the pandemic we will adjust for this for the whole cohort in our usual grading processes.





Examiners will be instructed to ignore any issues relating to candidates completing work under COVID-19 (coronavirus) circumstances if they are unrelated to what is being assessed, for example poor quality videoing of a performance or background noise on a recording. This is in line with our usual processes.





In this situation the candidate may wish to resit the subject in a future session, if the subject is available.

If I am retaking in N20 would it be sensible to complete a new IA in case the exams are cancelled?

Yes, in the event that exams are cancelled the IB cannot base grades on a coursework result from a previous year. Therefore ,we advise all re-take candidates to have new coursework ready as you will be required to submit this coursework to the IB to be eligible to receive a grade. In principle, new coursework must be entirely different work. However, the IB recognizes that for very substantial coursework tasks (for example: the design project for design technology) this may not be feasible given the time constraints. In such cases, substantial modification of the original work is acceptable. If modified work is submitted it will be marked as new.

I'm seeing the 'You have no candidates registered for this session' on the IA mark entry screen for groups 2,3,4 & 5.

IA marks are not required to be entered in IBIS for group 2,3,4 and 5 (except for Global Politics HL extension oral), please continue to the eCoursework upload screen to upload the work.

When I click on eCoursework there is a message saying a new tab will open but nothing happens.

You may have pop-up windows disabled. Please allow pop-up windows in your browser which will correct the issue or contact support@ibo.org for further details.

Predicted grades

How should we prepare our predicted grades, and should we take into consideration the additional assessments or the fact that there won't be an exam?

Teachers should predict grades in the usual way, as though the exams were still taking place. Please refer to section B3.2.3. of the DP Assessment Procedures/B3.3.3 of the CP Assessment Procedures.

How should we predict grades this session?

Teachers should predict grades in the usual way, as though the exams were still taking place. A predicted grade should be based on all the evidence of the candidate’s work and the teacher’s knowledge of IB standards. For more information please refer to section B3.2.3 of the DP Assessment Procedures/B3.3.3 of the CP Assessment Procedures. It is important that each prediction is made as accurately as possible, without under-predicting or over-predicting the grade. Predicted grades will continue to play a role in grade awarding processes. We will monitor for changes in predicted grades this year during our quality control process by comparing the predictions in past examination sessions. Anomalies identified such as over-predicting will be thoroughly reviewed and could be treated as a potential case of school maladministration. It is the responsibility of the school to ensure that IB rules and regulations are adhered to. For further reference on possible actions taken by the IB in such cases, please refer to the publication Academic integrity.

What scale should I use when predicting grades for this session?

Teachers predicting grades should continue to use the following scales, as in any other examination session.

Grades are awarded to candidates in each subject on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest grade.





For the CP reflective project (RP), TOK and the EE, the grades are on a scale of A to E, with A being the highest grade.

Should I issue a predicted grade for all subjects?

No, a predicted grade is not required for language A: literature SL school supported self-taught candidates because students are not taught by a teacher within your school for these subjects.

Should I share the predicted grade with candidates and their parents/guardians?

Please refer to section B3.2.3 of the DP Assessment Procedures/B3.3.3 of the CP Assessment Procedures.

How do I submit predicted grades?

Please submit in the usual way. Full instructions are given in the library section of IBIS in the ‘internal assessment and predicted grade user guide’.

How will the predicted grades be used this session?

Predicted grades will continue to be used for grade award meetings when considering a subject’s grade distributions and the performance of individual candidates.

I have been working on preparing for my retakes over the past 6-12 months and I believe my predicted grades should have gone up. Can I change my predicted grades?

No. The IB will only consider adjusted predicted grades when verified by your school as evidenced by on-going work assessed by the school.

I have been enrolled for the last year/6-months at a school and I have been taking classes. The school has registered me for the November 2020 session and has set predicted grades for me based on my work this year. Can the new predicted grades be used for this session along with the new coursework submitted?

Yes. The school will need to verify any changes in predicted grades based on your performance in school-based work over the last 612 months.

Retakes and anticipated candidates

Can May 21 DP/CP candidates who were registered as anticipated in May 20 take exams in November 20?

Candidates registered as anticipated in May 20 can defer to the November 20 session, as long as their subject is available. If anticipated candidates choose to keep their May 20 registration and want to improve the outcome, they will be able to retake in November 20, if their subject is available.

I was a May 2020 candidate – can I retake subjects in November 2020?

If your school is open and is able to accommodate examinations, you can retake a subject so long as it is available in November 2020.

If your school is closed and/or unable to accommodate examinations, you will have the option to defer your entry to the May 2021 session OR submit a substantially amended piece of coursework. Please note there will be first assessment for the new courses in Group 1 (Language and Literature) and Group 5 (Mathematics) in May 2021. You should discuss your options with your coordinator.

My school is closed – can I still retake a subject in November 2020?

If your school is closed and/or unable to accommodate examinations, you will need to defer your entry to the May 2021 session OR submit a substantially amended piece of coursework. You should discuss these options with your coordinator.

Can I carry forward my coursework marks from May 2020 to November 2020?

If your school is open and is able to accommodate examinations, you can carry forward your coursework marks from May 2020 to November 2020.

If your school is closed and/or unable to accommodate examinations, you should discuss your options with your coordinator.

The options available are:

Defer your retake to the May 2021 session – please note there will be first assessment for the new courses in Group 1 (Language and Literature) and Group 5 (Mathematics) in May 2021. OR submit a substantially amended piece of coursework.

What does a substantially amended piece of coursework mean?

When new coursework is submitted, it is not sufficient for you to make minor changes to the work previously submitted. In principle, entirely different work should be submitted for assessment. However, the IB recognizes that for very substantial coursework tasks (for example: the design project for design technology) this may not be feasible given the time constraints. In such cases, substantial modification of the original work is acceptable. If modified work is submitted it will be marked as new. For more information about re-submitting work, please contact your coordinator.

What does “new coursework” mean?

When new coursework is submitted, it is not sufficient for you to make minor changes to the work previously submitted. In principle, entirely different work should be submitted for assessment. However, the IB recognizes that for very substantial coursework tasks (for example: the design project for design technology) this may not be feasible given the time constraints. In such cases, substantial modification of the original work is acceptable. If modified work is submitted it will be marked as new.

What if I don’t have time to do a new IA?

We recognize that you may not have the opportunity, time or access to resources to do a new IA; in this case you will need to defer to a future session, if the subject is available. However, we are providing this opportunity for those who are able to complete a new IA so that they can achieve a new grade this session.

How will the IB know if I have submitted coursework from a previous session?

The IB will require information and verification from the school where you were registered in your last year of DP/CP.

I want to retake in Language and Literature (LAL) HL do I have to redo both the oral and the Written Tasks?

No. You need to submit at least one new component per subject, but for this subject that can be either a new oral or new Written Tasks.

I want to retake in Global Politics HL do I have to redo both the oral and the written task?

No. You need to submit at least one new component per subject, but that can be either one of the tasks

If retake candidates do not wish to defer will the IB allow them to redo their coursework for November 2020?

Yes.

What about retake candidates who already completed their retake EE or TOK essay assessments?

EE and TOK are being marked and grades issued as normal in the DP November 2020 session.

Can I retake ToK / EE?

Yes. Both ToK and EE can be retaken in the November session.

If last session I completed the coursework but didn’t submit it, can I use it for this session?

Yes, but please ensure that it was not submitted. The IB cannot accept a re-submission.

If I didn’t submit my TOK essay last time can I submit it this November session?

No. Your TOK essay title must be selected from the list for the November 2020 session.

Can I submit my resit coursework myself?

Retake students will need to verify their submissions via the school that they attended for their studies of the Diploma Programme/Career-Related Programme. Retake candidates should contact their school to notify them that they will be retaking, if they haven’t already, and ask for them to assist with the verification process.

What happens with the grades obtained in the anticipated sessions (November 2019/May 2020)—will the certificate reflect that the grade includes the November 2019/May 2020 results?

The grades achieved within the anticipated sessions will be reflected in the certificate.

Learning Teaching general FAQs

How can we continue teaching when our school is closed?

We have developed a guidance for schools that are facing closures and quarantines due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. It contains suggestions and guidelines for online and blended learning, with further suggestions for free apps and solutions for schools that may not have online or mobile solutions in place at the time of closing.

How should online teaching and learning be managed?

During this difficult time, schools can use available means to try and make alternative arrangements for study so that students are not disadvantaged by any closures including online or remote teaching. We have produced a resource to support schools using online and blended learning. Read more about online learning planning for schools.

Any student who has not received enough teaching has the option to defer to a subsequent session for some or all the assessments, free of charge. For advice on supporting teaching and learning, please contact your IB World School Manager directly or support@ibo.org.

Can you provide guidance on the recommended instructional hours during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Pandemic?

We understand that it is challenging to meet the recommended instructional hours given the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. In light of this, the IB has published more instructional guidance (Supporting Guidance for N20 and M21) to help schools support students working remotely in completing coursework assessments.

Adverse circumstances

What is included under adverse circumstances for this session?

The usual definition of adverse applies except that in relation to the pandemic, only individual circumstances which are over and beyond the experience of other students will be included. It is also now centered on submission of coursework not the written exams.

Why is the shutdown of a school or the uncertainty and stress that has affected all students not included under adverse circumstances?

The pandemic is an adverse circumstance that has affected all schools worldwide. We will take it into account through our grade award processes. Support will still be offered to schools in situations where they face challenges, in terms of extensions and deferrals but they will not go through the adverse circumstances route. In this case schools must contact support@ibo.org.

What actions will the IB take to address individual candidates affected by adverse circumstances (as defined above)?

Most candidates will be supported through extensions. Deferral of assessment to a future examination session may be the best course of action for some students, such as where the candidate has completed very little or no coursework. There will be no charge for this deferral. Special consideration will only be considered for very severe and challenging circumstances as a last resort if the candidate cannot be supported through extensions.

What is the deadline for submitting the ‘Candidate(s) affected by adverse circumstances’ form?

The form must be received by the IB within 10 calendar days post the published coursework deadline.

What supporting documentation should be submitted with the ‘Candidate(s) affected by adverse circumstances’ form?

Where available, medical or psychological evidence must be submitted along with the request. Where there are no reports from professionals available due to the situation of the pandemic, the IB will work with schools to consider other alternative forms of evidence.

Information for May 2021 examination session

Will the IB make any changes to the M21 exams?

In response to unprecedented disruptions to school communities, the IB has convened COVID-19 Response Teams representing the perspectives of regional educators, university recognition, global accreditation bodies as well as teaching, learning and assessment experts. These response teams are working together to ensure that decisions about the May 2021 assessment session are informed by principles of fairness and compassion to avoid putting undue stress on students during this challenging time.



While these decisions are complex given the global complexity of the present context, their aim is clear: to protect the health and safety of students, parents and teachers.



The IB will continue to update schools with timely guidance ahead of the May 2021 session. Please check back regularly for updates.

Adaptations: at a glance

What has changed for Diploma Programme (DP) (CP) and Career-related Programme for May 2021?

There are adaptations to each subject group and area in the DP and CP for the May 2021 session. Adaptations consist of a range of approaches including:

Amendments to assessment components and requirements





Removal of components or requirements





The use of in-session mitigations

Some subjects or areas may indicate more than one adaptation.

Why are there changes for May 2021?

Adaptations are intended to address disruptions associated with COVID-19 (coronavirus) by ensuring more manageable, practical, achievable teaching and learning experiences in advance of the May 2021 session.

Schools and teachers are encouraged to incorporate these adaptations in their planning and delivery as appropriate to their needs and contexts. This may include, for instance, re-prioritizing time and resources to best meet the needs of their students as well as the different demands of each subject or programme area.

How were changes for May 2021 decided?

In consultation with educators, examiners and experts from each global region, the IB carefully made appropriate and targeted amendments without compromising the quality, validity and reliability of the DP and CP experience.

This approach is intended to ensure the best possible coverage of aims and objectives at a subject level while maintaining breadth and depth across both programmes as a whole.

The subject I teach indicates no adaptations. Does this mean IB is taking no action?​

For some subjects it was not possible to make advance adaptations without compromising the validity, reliability, or session-to-session comparability of the assessment. In these subjects, the IB will be applying in-session mitigations.

What are "in-session mitigations"?

In-session mitigations include a range of strategies that may be implemented during the marking, standardization and grade awarding processes to ensure fair outcomes for students. In-session mitigations are tailored to the unique circumstances of each session; the IB uses them, where appropriate, during all examination sessions. For more information please refer to Assessment principles and practices—Quality assessments in a digital age. In session mitigations are carried out by the IB.

An examination or component in my subject is not listed in the adaptations. Has it changed?

If a component is not listed in the document Updates for 2020-21 Learning, Teaching and Assessment for an examination or component, its structure, approach and objectives remain unchanged. However, weightings relative to the entire subject's assessment model may be amended to address COVID-19 (coronavirus) associated disruptions. These types of adaptations are discussed below.

Will content from a removed or amended examination be moved to another exam in the same subject?

No, exams will not be redesigned to include material from a component that has been adapted or removed.

Why hasn’t IB taken the same approach across all subjects? ​

Each DP/CP subject and component is unique and designed to meaningfully address distinct aims and objectives. As such, subjects and components consist of a variety of curriculum and assessment approaches. This variability is reflected in the range of adaptations.

This variety in design, combined with the stated objectives of our interventions above, led to the decision to take a subject-by-subject, component-by-component approach to adaptations, rather than a uniform approach across subjects or components.

Making changes in this way will not compromise the validity and reliability of that assessment and allows us to ensure assessment objective coverage at a subject level, while maintaining breadth and depth of learning across the whole programme.

Why not just run the May 2021 session as usual? ​

The unprecedented disruption to teaching and learning required intervention to allow schools and teachers to plan and deliver more manageable, practical and achievable teaching and learning experiences in advance of the May 2021 session.

Adaptations: Scheduling, weighting and logistics

Will May 2021 assessment dates and deadlines change?

Changes to any assessment-related dates including the examination schedule and deadlines will be shared with the community as soon as they are confirmed.

Will the duration of each adapted exam be changed?

Adaptations to exams may result in changes to their duration. These changes will be shared with the community as soon as they are confirmed.

Will adaptations impact the weighting of components?

Subjects with amended or removed components may have their weighting adjusted. These changes will be shared with the community as soon as they are confirmed.

Why do only some subjects have adaptations to the IA?

In taking a subject-by-subject, component-by-component approach, in some subjects the most appropriate adaptation was in an internal assessment or coursework component.

Adaptations: teaching and learning

Will new versions of subject guides by issued prior to May 2021?

Adaptations do not require re-issued guides. Teachers are encouraged to adjust their planning and delivery of subjects and components to account for the published assessment adaptations.

I’ve already taught content that won’t be assessed. How does this help me?

Some content already addressed may now no longer be formally assessed by the IB for the May 2021 session. With over 5000 schools globally who set their schedules according to their local school context, this is unavoidable. However, in giving the earliest possible notice of these changes, the IB believes that it is possible that the skills and knowledge developed will support student success and conceptual understanding going forward.

How is IB accounting for lab/studio work or sustained collaboration required in my subject? ​

The adaptations address disruptions to teaching and learning. Lab-and studio-based work as well as collaborative work were considered in the adaptations for each subject and component. Additional subject specific guidance will be issued shortly.

How will adaptations impact teaching and learning in future sessions beyond May 2021?

The IB is finalizing approaches for future sessions based on ongoing developments and disruptions. Until that decision has been made and shared with the community, schools/teachers should make their best endeavors to approach the teaching and learning as they normally would.

Additional support

Will there be additional guidance for teachers and students?

Yes, further additional guidance for teaching, learning and assessment will be published. These documents will be announced and available via the programme resource centre.

Will the current internal and other non-examination assessment/coursework guidance for May/November 2021 be updated?

While most of that guidance still applies, where an announced adaptation to the May 2021 session supersedes our earlier advice, we will publish an addendum to that guidance.

Additionally, please note that additional supporting guidance is being finalized and will be published for the following subjects:

Business management HL IA





Geography SL/HL IA





Biology, chemistry, ESS, physics, sports, exercise health science IA (both SL/HL)

Can my May 21 candidates complete their Group 1 LIT / LAL Individual Oral Assessments remotely following the guidance laid out for M20 candidates?

Yes–this is acceptable. The preferred medium is Skype or a similar online platform.

M21 candidates – candidates should submit their outline along with their chosen extract(s) / text(s) to the teacher one week prior to the recording of the assessment (as recommended in the Guide). The teacher should check that the candidate has no access to additional material other than their outline and their chosen extract(s) / text(s) prior to starting the assessment. This should include a request for candidates to show their rooms to check for visible / hidden material.

Middle Years Programme (MYP) eAssessment

2020 eAssessment examination sessions

The IB took the following actions for the 2020 May MYP eAssessment session:

May 2020 MYP on-screen examinations are cancelled, but with the option to take them in November 2020 (or May 2021).





MYP certificates were awarded, reflecting achievements from Personal Project and ePortfolio subjects.





ePortfolio and Personal Projects grades were issued.

Are the on-screen exams going to be cancelled in November 2020 as they were in May 2020?

The on-screen exams will not be cancelled in November 2020. In the event that schools are closed, and students are unable to sit exams at school, alternative tasks will be sent in lieu of each subject exam to be completed remotely. The IB has formally requested schools to update us on their school’s ability to administer the November examination safely, given your local government’s requirements. The mandatory response regarding school opening will inform whether we dispatch examination materials or triggering an alternative option should the school still be under enforced closure. Schools can contact support@ibo.org to request this alternative task.

How will the IB award the MYP certificate in November 2020?

For the November 2020 session, the MYP certificate will be awarded as per the usual requirements specified in the Middle Years Programme Assessment procedures 2020. This will also apply for any candidate who needs to take the alternative task for on-screen subjects.

Information for May 2020 session

Can I request the legalization service for my November 20 candidates?

The legalization of IB MYP certificates and/or IB MYP course results is not a requirement. However, educational institutions in certain countries may require the legalization of the IB MYP certificate or IB MYP course results document by the appropriate authority in Geneva. Should the legalization of IB MYP certificates or IB MYP course results be required, coordinators should send an email to support@ibo.org. Please refer to section 8.6 of the MYP Assessment Procedures. The legalization process will be carried out after the results are released in early February. The IB is reliant on third parties and embassies being open and engaged in the process and we will be monitoring the situation closely.

Can my students carry forward their ePortfolios and personal project grades from the May 2020 session?

Yes, students who want to retake the MYP certificate in a future session can carry forward their May 2020 ePortfolio and personal project grades. By registering for the retake session using the retake registration category, IBIS will use the higher of the May 2020 and November 2020 ePortfolio and personal project grades in the awarding of the certificate. Please refer to section B1.2 of the MYP Assessment Procedures.

Please note the May 2020 exceptional awarding conditions will not apply therefore students will need to take the onscreen exams and meet the usual passing conditions for the certificate in November 2020. Please refer to section A2.1 of the MYP Assessment Procedures.

What will the new MYP record of predicted grades document look like?

The new document will be in the style of the usual MYP documents and will contain the following information:

The IB logo and the MYP logo





The session (May 2020)





The candidate’s name





The school’s name





The on-screen subjects registered for





The predicted grades for the on-screen subjects

Will the record of predicted grades document be withdrawn if the student is unwilling or unable to sit the on-screen exams in a future session?

No, the predicted grade document will not be withdrawn if a student does not sit the on-screen exams in a future session.

Information for November 2020 session

What is the registration deadline for the MYP November 2020 session?

The first deadline to register for the subjects normally available in a November session is 20 April 2020. The late registration deadline is 20 July 2020.





The deadline to request a deferral from May 2020 to November 2020 has been extended from 15 June to 15 July 2020.





The deadline to register for the subjects that have been newly added to the November 2020 session is 7 September 2020.





The deadline to register a six-month retake for the November 2020 session is 7 September 2020.



What subjects will be available in the MYP November session?

The digital nature of MYP on-screen assessments makes it possible for the November 2020 examination session to be expanded to offer the same subject availability as May 2020. The MYP November 2020 examination schedule can be found on the PRC.

Which subjects have been added to the MYP November 2020 session?

Language and Literature: Arabic, Korean, Dutch, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, German

Sciences: Biology (in Spanish)

Registration for November 2020 will remain open and will not incur late registration fees, until 7 September.



Regular fees apply for May 2020 students who wish to retake an ePortfolio subject in a future session.

What about the MYP November session, is this impacted in any way?

At this time, we plan that the November 2020 exam session will proceed as scheduled. We are aware that some schools may be unable to sit exams due to COVID-19. In the event that schools are unable to sit exams, students will be given alternative tasks in lieu of each subject exam to complete in their remote location. The IB will formally request schools to update us on the school’s ability to administer the November examination safely, given your local government’s requirements. Your mandatory response regarding school opening will inform whether we dispatch examination materials or triggering an alternative option should your school still be under enforced closure.

Is there anything I can do to prepare my students for the alternative task to the on-screen exams?

The alternative task will be modelled off the full exam and therefore, does not require any extra preparation. As usual, engaging with the familiarization package and exposure to past eAssessments available on the PRC will help prepare your students for the digital environment of the on-screen exams.

Will we be able to submit an Enquiry Upon Results (EUR)?

Yes, schools will be able to submit EURs for on-screen examinations, the alternative task (category 1) and ePortfolio subjects and personal project (category 3).

Can my students carry forward their ePortfolios and personal project grades from the May 2020 session?

Yes, students who want to retake the MYP certificate in a future session can carry forward their May 2020 ePortfolio and personal project grades. By registering for the retake session using the retake registration category, IBIS will use the higher of the May 2020 and November 2020 ePortfolio and personal project grades in the awarding of the certificate. Please refer to section B1.2 of the MYP Assessment Procedures.

Please note the May 2020 exceptional awarding conditions will not apply therefore students will need to take the onscreen exams and meet the usual passing conditions for the certificate in November 2020. Please refer to section A2.1 of the MYP Assessment Procedures.

I have students who need to retake one of their ePortfolio subjects in November 2020, do I have to use the November 2020 partially completed unit planners or can I re-use the May 2020 ones?

For this session, it will be acceptable to submit work based on the May 2020 partially completed unit planners. The task and the work submitted must, however, be different to what was submitted in May 2020. This means that for language acquisition, teachers must create new assessments for the comprehension tasks.

If I want to improve my M20 overall result in the MYP certificate, can I take onscreen examinations in November?

Yes. The digital nature of MYP on-screen assessments makes it possible for the November 2020 examination session to be expanded to offer the same subject availability as May 2020.

Will students who do sit the November 2020 examinations be issued with a new certificate following these examinations, and if so what will happen to the May 2020 predicted grade document?

Students who sit the on-screen exams in November 2020 will receive the usual MYP results document and the MYP certificate, if eligible against the November 2020 passing conditions. Students can retain the May 2020 predicted grade document even if they receive MYP on-screen results in a future session.

MYP ePortfolio guidance

What if some students cannot complete ePortfolio and personal project due to school closures?

“Supporting guidance for N20—For the completion of the MYP ePortfolio subjects and the personal project” provides additional guidance for schools completing coursework assessment for N20 remotely due to school closures and aims to supplement the subject guides and existing teacher support material for MYP subjects.

How can the MYP Language Acquisition ePortfolio tasks be conducted?

The IB understands the challenges caused by remote completion of the MYP Language Acquisition tasks for the M20 ePortfolio. Therefore, schools are permitted to set their candidates tasks remotely and under timed assessment conditions as outlined on page 103 of the guide, if these activities are invigilated by a responsible adult. Each ePortfolio needs to contain the completed and signed Responsible Adult Invigilation Form as a coversheet when uploaded to the eCoursework portal. For guidance on completion of the interactive oral task please see the guidelines provided for the DP.

Will the ePortfolio subjects be moderated as usual?

Yes. The ePortfolios will be sampled and moderated as per the normal assessment process.

The IB has reviewed each of the MYP ePortfolio subjects according to the associated risk to the candidate in being able to complete the eAssessments and meet the demands of the assessment criteria.

Personal project: can be completed remotely from the school setting. PHE; Design; Dance; Drama; Media; Music; Visual Art: These subjects require either collaboration with other students and/or access to specialist equipment. Subjects with a performance element can be completed remotely with adjustments.

Please contact support@ibo.org to request adapted PCUPs for Arts, Design and PHE and guidance on how to assess ePortfolios that have to be completed remotely with adjustments.

What is the deadline for MYP Personal Project and ePortfolio?

IBIS ePortfolio upload screens opened on 20 July 2020 and schools have until 20 October 2020 to upload all the necessary materials.

MYP students are unable to meet their supervisors to sign off their Academic Honesty forms for the personal project. Can this be completed digitally?

Yes, students and supervisors can meet virtually for the supervision sessions, and the student and the supervisor can type their names into the Academic Honesty form as sign off.

Coursework guidance

What are the deadlines for MYP?

The deadline for coursework submission for ePortfolio and Personal Project is 20 October. Teacher Assessed Totals for ePortfolio subjects and personal project, plus predicted grades for on-screen subjects, need to be entered before 20 October, in time to allow IBIS to generate the student coursework samples to be submitted to the IB via the eCoursework portal. MYP coordinators should leave sufficient time for these administrative steps to take place prior to 20 October.

How can teachers authenticate work that is completed remotely?

Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of an IB education and should be embedded throughout the learner journey and school ethos. Teachers should follow normal procedures to authenticate work to the best of their knowledge and reiterate the importance of academic integrity with their students. The IB expects teachers to use best endeavor, but also recognizes the difficulties faced as the result of remote working. The IB will undertake additional checks for plagiarism and collusion.

Can you confirm the ‘Service as Action’ component will be awarded based on the part of the year completed?

Yes, the “Service as Action” requirement does not count hours, only the achievement of learning outcomes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we would understand that schools' and students may not be in session for a time and thus, may not be able to continue with Service as Action. In this situation, the safety of our students comes first and hopefully they have many of their learning outcomes completed, which may form the basis for the school’s final judgement.

Teaching and Learning General FAQs

Can MYP Year 4 students start the personal project now?

Yes, if schools feel that this is the right opportunity for students to begin their personal projects and can provide support to students remotely.

Are schools still required to assess all strands of all criteria at least twice for all subjects?

Although this is a programme requirement, we understand that it may not be possible this year given the extenuating circumstances. Schools have the flexibility to determine with their MYP teachers how to make professional judgements regarding their students’ achievement and how students can best demonstrate their learning if the planned summative assessments are not possible to be completed. For more detail, please refer to MYP: Meeting requirements in Challenging Circumstances.



How should schools report student achievement if some criteria have not been assessed twice?

Schools can report the levels achieved in each criterion. While schools are required to communicate student achievement in each subject group to parents, there is no MYP requirement to report 1-7 grades. For more detail, please refer to MYP: Meeting requirements in Challenging Circumstances.

Are schools still required to complete the community project?

Schools are encouraged to modify the expectations of the community project so that its completion can occur where possible. Schools might consider ways they might celebrate the process with students, such as virtual celebrations or accolades on end of the year reports. However, schools are not expected to implement the project if the current circumstances do not support doing so. The resource Service as Action in the MYP in different modes of teaching and learning offers some suggestions that may be useful as schools plan the community project.

Are schools allowed to modify the expectations of the community project so that their students can complete it remotely (and/or individually)?

The resource Navigating changing times in the Middle Years Programme on the PRC provides some guidance for managing collaboration in online, remote, mobile and blended modes of teaching and learning.

Do schools still need to ensure that all MYP students complete an interdisciplinary unit this academic year?

Although this is a programme requirement, we understand that it may not be possible in this school year given the extenuating circumstances. Schools might consider ways to adjust existing interdisciplinary units so that they can be completed during school closure, however, schools are not required to meet this requirement if the current circumstances do not support doing so.

A resource to support schools to continue to implement interdisciplinary learning has been published, this may prove a suitable alternative to an interdisciplinary unit.

We will not be able to provide 50 hours of face-to-face teaching time for each subject group this year. How should we allocate the time that we do have? While “teaching time” has generally been interpreted as time that teachers and students spend together in the classroom (as evidenced by the school timetable), we understand that it is going to look quite different while schools are in remote, online, mobile or blended modes of learning and teaching. If it is not possible to meet the requirement for 50 hours of teaching time in each subject group, schools are encouraged to consider the intentions of the requirement as they adapt to their current situation: “The MYP’s holistic philosophy of education provides the basis for a broad and balanced curriculum that includes eight subject groups.” (MYP: From principles into practice, p. 40; emphasis added). In situations where schools are using a combination of face-to-face, remote, mobile and online instruction, they should also consider which types of learning experiences are best suited to each mode. For example, it may be appropriate to devote more face-to-face teaching time to subjects that require specialized equipment or facilities. Because programme evaluation explores how schools typically implement the programme, schools can show how they meet this requirement under normal circumstances (e.g. referring to a pre- or post-COVID timetable) at the time of their next programme evaluation.

Primary Years Programme (PYP)

What is the appropriate screen time for early learners and for primary years learners?

Refer to the IB Online learning, teaching and education continuity planning for schools for guidance on managing screen time and recommended screen time for different ages.

Do students have to complete the exhibition project if the schools are closed?

We understand that many schools are using this opportunity to explore supporting students with their exhibition digitally. Schools might consider ways to celebrate the process with students, such as virtual celebrations or accolades on end of the year report. However, for students completing their final year in the PYP in May, June or July 2020, there is no requirement for schools and students to complete the exhibition process if they are under adverse circumstances.

Do schools have to complete all six units of the programme of inquiry?

For many schools, teachers can modify their planned units to accommodate the completion of their programme of inquiry. However, for the current school year, there is no requirement for schools unable to complete all six units of inquiry to do so if they are under adverse circumstances.

Recognition

Recognition: May 2020

Will universities and colleges accept the results?

The IB has provided university and college partners with clear information about the assessments that have been conducted during the student's participation in the two years of the DP and CP, and the process by which final marks were determined in this unprecedented year. We will continue to ensure the validity and the reliability of our assessment protocols.

In accordance with previous years, universities have made their decisions about their individual IB policies regarding admissions, credit granting, advanced standing, and scholarship awards. Students should contact their preferred universities directly to learn about these policies.

Will the process of obtaining a transcript change?

The IB has provided transcripts for IB Diploma, CP certificates and IB course certificates to universities through the same standard mechanisms we have in place for many years. Where grades have been updated, these too will be sent on to universities through the standard process.

Governments and universities have received the information they need to make appropriate decisions. Students should specify their preferred university with their DP or CP Co-ordinators, who will then add this information to IBIS.

Information for universities

If you are a university or college, you can now sign up for regular updates.

Will students be awarded a Diploma, numerical grade for each subject, the core and overall?

We will be awarding Diplomas and Certificates for the May 2020 session:

At a subject level, students will be awarded a grade on the normal IB 1-7 scale





Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay and the Career-Related Programme Reflective Project will be awarded a grade on the normal IB A-E scale





The DP core will be awarded on the normal IB 0-3 scale





A total points score will be awarded for the Diploma, out of 45 as normal

On what basis will students be awarded their Diploma or Certificates?

We have awarded each student a grade for each of their registered subjects using a calculation that considers their coursework marks and their predicted grade, as submitted to the IB by their school. For most components we will externally mark work that is usually marked by teachers, instead of taking samples and applying moderation. On August 17th the IB announced some adjustments to our grades, please click here for more details.

Will the transcript that universities and colleges receive look the same as previous years?

Yes. Transcripts look the same and have be sent to universities and colleges in the same way as previous years. Universities have been be sent the transcripts, including those where any grades are updated.

Will students be able to appeal their results?

Schools can access the Enquiry Upon Results and Appeals services. The IB also made available an additional review process to schools for the May 2020 session. This process is now closed to new reviews, with schools currently receiving the outcomes of the reviews.

Recognition: November 2020

Will universities and colleges accept the results?

The IB will be writing to universities in September 2020 to inform them of the changes that the IB has put in place for the November 2020 session. We will be seeking feedback on the changes, but wholly expect that results will still be accepted for admissions.

Information for universities

The IB will be writing to universities in September 2020 to inform them of the changes that the IB has put in place for the November 2020 session.

Recognition: May 2021

Will universities and colleges accept the results?

The IB will be writing to universities in September 2020 to inform them of the changes that the IB has put in place for the May 2021 session. We will be seeking feedback on the changes, but wholly expect that results will still be accepted for admissions.

Information for universities

The IB will be writing to universities in September 2020 to inform them of the changes that the IB has put in place for the May 2021 session.

Authorization and evaluation

Authorization

Remote visit webcast – Further school and IBEN support (DP and CP)

Remote visit webcast – Further school and IBEN support (PYP and MYP)

Will the cancellation of face-to-face PD events impact my Authorization timeline?

No. The IB has put measures in place to ensure that no schools are disadvantaged due to the cancellation of face to face PD events. Firstly, we are increasing the number of online PD offerings in order to support schools during this time. In considering the concerns and challenges created by COVID-19 (coronavirus) for schools and knowing that you highly value the face to face professional development experience; if you would prefer to wait until face to face professional development is once again available the IB will accept any registration for PD within the next 12 months as evidence of meeting the professional development requirements as part of the authorization process.

What happens if I have an upcoming verification visit?

Following the recommendations and decisions by the various governing bodies, the IB has been assessing the need to use remote visit protocols in order to ensure that schools are not disadvantaged by this situation. These protocols have been emailed to impacted schools. If you have not received them, please contact your Programme Relationship Manager. Please know that we have worked with our IB educators to ensure they are prepared to conduct the visit remotely. In general, all visits as part of the authorization process will remain virtual due to travel restrictions and wanting to ensure the safety of our IB community. In direct communications with impacted schools we are asking you to confirm your virtual visits within 7 days of receiving the communication. If we do not hear from you within 7 days, we will need to postpone your scheduled visit.

We know that school communities highly value face to face visits, as such we are providing schools with two options if you prefer to engage in a face to face verification visit.

If you would like to postpone your verification visit until such time that it can occur in person, we will ask you to provide three potential visit dates via an online form. The IB aims to confirm your verification visit dates as soon as possible, and no later than one month in advance of the visit.



If your school is situated in a country, state, or province in which you believe a face to face visit can occur on your current verification visit date you will be asked to contact your Programme Relationship Manager within 7 days of receiving the commu