Understanding the IB—Breaking down all of the acronyms

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a complex, complicated and confusing system at times, filled with lots of acronyms. People regularly ask what, for example, is the IB DP? And how does it differ from the IB MYP? Luckily, GNS has been an IB World School since 1996 and we’ve put together this IB lexicon of commonly used IB acronyms to help decipher your EA from your EE and ESS. 

GNS is proud to be a leading Canadian IB Continuum School as we believe that the IB equips our students with higher-level skills of inquiry, analysis and innovation, which will empower them to contribute to the world around them.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our IB coordinators:

IB Primary Years Coordinator: Leanne Giommi (Junior Kindergarten – Grade 5)

IB Middle Years Coordinator: Gina Simpson (Grades 6 – 10)

IB Diploma Coordinator: Angie Girard (Grades 11 and 12)

Information has been sourced from the International Baccalaureate Organization.

IB – International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate (IB) refers to a continuum of educational programmes that are designed to develop well-rounded students who think critically and in interdisciplinary ways.
These programmes are rigorous and academically challenging and help to prepare students for university and life. The IB Programmes are international, independent (as the organization itself and GNS are nonprofits), research-based and widely recognized around the world by thousands of leading universities.
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
We are proud to be an IB Continuum School, offering IB programmes from Junior Kindergarten all the way to Grade 12. 

DP — Diploma Programme

Grades 11 and 12 The Diploma Programme (DP) is a balanced and academically challenging programme of education with rigorous assessment. 
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a globally recognized curriculum that encourages students to take ownership of their learning and develop critical thinking skills. It also promotes intercultural understanding and respect by teaching students to question and appreciate diverse perspectives.
Students are required to study six subjects and a curriculum core concurrently over two years. The DP prepares students for success in higher education and encourages them to become active participants in a global society. The programme has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities.
Students at GNS in Grades 11 and 12 choose one of the following pathways toward graduation:
1) Full IB Diploma Programme including six Diploma courses and full involvement in the Core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service). This option results in an IB Diploma and a BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma).
2) Five to six IB Diploma Programme individual courses without involvement in the Core (see above). This option results in IB Course Certificates and a BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma).
3) Hybrid of IB Diploma Programme courses and BC Provincial courses. This option results in IB Course Certificates and a BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma).
GNS became authorized to offer the DP in 1996, and is proud to have a 94.7% 5-year pass rate (compared to the global 84% 5-year pass rate). You can learn more about the IB Diploma Programme here and read a student’s perspective on her DP experience here.

MYP — Middle Years Programme

Grades 6-10 The Middle Years Programme (MYP) provides a framework of learning, encouraging students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. The MYP emphasizes intellectual challenge, encouraging students to make connections between their studies in traditional subjects and the real world.
All GNS students in Grade 6 to 10 participate fully in the IB MYP, while also meeting the BC provincial curriculum standards in eight subject areas.
The MYP is intended to help students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to participate actively and responsibly in a changing and interrelated world. The programme focuses on the education of the whole person, emphasizing the importance of a broad and balanced education.
GNS became authorized to offer the MYP in 2004. You can learn more about the IB Middle Years Programme here. 

PYP — Primary Years Programme

Junior Kindergarten – Grade 5 The Primary Years Programme (PYP) offers an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding. It is a student-centered approach to education for children aged 3-12. It reflects the best of educational research, thought leadership and experience derived from IB World Schools.
The PYP has evolved to become a world leader in future-focused education. The PYP is an example of best educational practice globally, responding to the challenges and opportunities facing young students in our rapidly changing world.
All GNS students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 5 participate fully in the IB PYP, while also meeting the BC provincial curriculum standards. 
GNS became authorized to offer the PYP in 2007. You can learn more about the IB Primary Years Programme here.

HL — Higher Level

In the full IB Diploma Programme, Diploma Candidates take a minimum of three and maximum of four Higher Level (HL) courses. HL courses consist of 240 teaching hours, and students are expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills.
Some universities consider HL courses to be equivalent to first-year courses and may offer transfer credit if a final grade of 5, 6 or 7 is achieved.

SL — Standard Level

In the full IB Diploma Programme, Diploma Candidates take a maximum of three and minimum of two Standard Level (SL) courses. SL courses consist of 150 teaching hours, and students engage with the curriculum with greater breadth and depth than in equivalent provincial courses.

TOK — Theory of Knowledge

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is one of three essential elements that every full Diploma Candidate must complete as part of the DP Core. 
TOK is assessed through an exhibition and a 1,600 word essay. This course aims to make students aware of the interpretative nature of knowledge, including personal ideological biases—whether these biases are retained, revised or rejected.
Students are awarded a grade from A to E, and together with their Extended Essay grade, can obtain up to 3 additional diploma points. 

CAS — Creativity, Activity, Service

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is one of three essential elements that every full Diploma Candidate must complete as part of the DP core.
CAS involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies. While it is not formally assessed, students reflect on their CAS experiences, and provide evidence of achieving the seven learning outcomes.
Creativity – arts and other experiences that involve creative thinking.
Activity – physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the DP.
Service – an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student.
The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.
In order to demonstrate these concepts, students are also required to undertake a CAS Project.

EE — Extended Essay

The Extended Essay (EE) is one of three essential elements that every full Diploma Candidate must complete as part of the DP core. 
The EE is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper. This is an opportunity for students to investigate a topic of personal interest, which relates to one of their six DP subjects, or to take the interdisciplinary approach of a World Studies EE.
Students are awarded a grade from A to E, and together with their Theory of Knowledge grade, can obtain up to three additional diploma points. 

IA — Internal Assessment

In the Diploma Programme, there is one official piece of work that students must undertake under the guidance of their teachers, their Internal Assessment (IA). It is assessed by the teacher and then sent to IB examiners for moderation to ensure adherence to the global standard. 
Some examples include, but are not limited to: oral work in languages, fieldwork and laboratory work in the sciences, investigations in mathematics and artistic performances.

EA — External Assessment

In certain IB DP subjects, there are also additional assessments that students must complete under the guidance of their teachers. Teachers do not assess this work as it is sent to IB examiners for assessment and moderation.
In addition, students must sit IB DP examinations that are assessed and moderated by IB examiners. These are both forms of External Assessment (EA).
Students sit IB Exams at the end of their second DP year, in May of Grade 12.

PG — Predicted Grade

The predicted grade (PG) is the subject teacher’s prediction of the grade the candidate is expected to achieve in the subject, based on all the evidence of the candidate’s work seen throughout the two years and the teacher’s knowledge of the students and of IB standards. Predicted grades are also required for Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. 
University admission cycles typically take place before IB students sit exams. Thus, most admissions decisions are based in part on the student’s predicted grades submitted by the school. 
Also referred to as Anticipated Grades, Predicted Scores etc. 

PP — Personal Project

Middle Years Programme students in their final year (Grade 10) explore an area of personal interest over an extended period. The Personal Project (PP) provides them the opportunity to consolidate their learning and develop important skills they’ll need in both further education and life beyond the classroom. It also helps them develop confidence to become principled, lifelong learners.
The Personal Project formally assesses students’ approaches to learning skills for self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration. The project is made up of a process, a product and a reflective report.
You can see more about the 2025 Personal Project Exhibition here. 

IU — Interdisciplinary Unit

Interdisciplinary learning supports students to understand bodies of knowledge from two or more disciplines or subject groups, in order to integrate them and create new understanding.
Students demonstrate interdisciplinary understanding when they bring together concepts, methods, or forms of communication from two or more disciplines or established areas of expertise so they can explain a phenomenon, solve a problem, create a product, or raise a new question in ways that would have been unlikely through a single discipline.

ATLS — Approaches To Learning Skills

The IB Approaches To Learning Skills (ATLS) are grounded in the belief that learning how to learn is fundamental to a student’s life in and out of school. Teachers intentionally identify specific ATLS that students will develop through each unit of study. In broad terms, all IB programmes support learners in developing:
Thinking skills
Communication skills
Research skills
Self-management skills
Social skills

ESS — Environmental Systems & Societies

Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) is a Diploma Programme course offered at GNS that combines physical and biological sciences with a global issues viewpoint, to help students understand the environment and its sustainability. 
ESS is an interdisciplinary subject (not to be confused with an interdisciplinary unit), between Individuals and Societies and Sciences. This course is designed for the student that might be interested in focussing on a non-science path, but still needs to satisfy the Group 4 requirement in their IB course selections. 
This course currently satisfies the BC provincial graduation requirements for Science 11 but not Social Studies 11. ESS is recommended for students wishing to pursue Humanities and/or Social Sciences in University but is not for those planning on pursuing Engineering or Sciences.
You can read more about ESS at GNS here. 

L&L — Language & Literature 

In Language and Literature (L&L) classes, students explore the complexity of a language they are academically competent in. L&L explores a broad range of texts, develops critical thinking skills and a love for the richness of human expression. 
In the Diploma Programme, this is Group 1. The subject is frequently referred to as Language Arts or English in non-IB programs. 

LA — Language Acquisition

Language Acquisition (LA) refers to the learning of languages other than the student’s native tongue. The main emphasis is on the acquisition and use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes while, at the same time, promoting an understanding of another culture through the study of its language.
In the Diploma Programme, this is Group 2. At GNS, students have the choice of Spanish or French in the DP. 

I&S — Individuals & Societies 

In Individuals and Societies (I&S) classes, students collect, describe and analyse data used in studies of societies, test hypotheses, and learn how to interpret complex information, including original source material.
The focus on real-world examples, research and analysis is an essential aspect of the subject group. In the Diploma Programme, this is Group 3. The subject is frequently referred to as Social Studies in non-IB programs.

PHE — Physical and Health Education

Physical and Health Education (PHE) empowers students to understand and appreciate the value of being physically active and to develop the motivation for making healthy life choices. 
PHE focuses on both learning about and learning through physical activity. Both dimensions help students develop approaches to learning skills across the curriculum. PHE is taken by all students in the PYP and MYP programmes.

MB — ManageBac

GNS uses ManageBac (MB) to manage aspects of the IB programme. It is an online planning, grading, assessment and reporting platform. All families and students in Grades 6 to 12 have access to this platform.

GC — Google Classroom

GNS classes and teachers use Google Classroom (GC) to create engaging learning experiences they can personalize, manage and measure. All students in Grades 6 to 12 have access to Google Classroom. 

BB — Blackbaud

GNS uses the online student information system Blackbaud (BB) to manage student information. Teachers, coaches and trip leaders often post important information on the “Bulletin Board” of Course, Advisory (Homeform), Athletic or Activity groups on Blackbaud to alert students and parents about upcoming meetings, payments or activity/course information. All families and students have access to this system.

BCAIBWS — British Columbia Association of IB World Schools

The British Columbia Association of IB World Schools is our local Association of IB World Schools, formed to create support and community in IB World Schools across BC. GNS is a member of the BCAIBWS.

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