Introduction

The events that lead up to the issue of results for an examination session involve many IBO staff, about 4,000 examiners in a May session, a variety of external advisors and suppliers, and then, of course, there are many thousands of teachers and the candidates themselves—the crucial ingredient in the mix. The written examinations in May and November are just one aspect of a long and rigorous process over a period lasting two years for both schools and the IBO.

The assessment of a candidate’s ability in an academic subject is not an exact science and probably never will be. But every candidate can rest assured that the IBO applies procedures and checks throughout an examination session that bring quality to assessment and a well-deserved confidence in the final grades awarded.