6aVisual arts

6a.1Publications

The information given in this section of the handbook must be read in conjunction with the current Visual arts guide.

May and November 2009 examination sessions
Title of publication	Date of issue
Visual arts guide	March 2007
Visual arts teacher support material	November 2007

6a.2Summary of latest arrival dates: May and November 2009 sessions

Action	Level	To	Latest arrival date	Method/form
Submit the visiting examiner proposal	HL option A HL option B SL option A SL option B	IB Cardiff	7 October 2008/ 7 April 2009	Form 6/VAEP
Visiting examiner allocated Submit the candidate record booklets to arrive before examiner's visit to the school	HL option A HL option B SL option A SL option B	Visiting examiner	Before visit	Not applicable
First date for examiner visits	HL option A HL option B SL option A SL option B	Not applicable	10 March 2009/ 10 September 2009	Not applicable
Submit the predicted grades and marks for internal assessment	HL option A HL option B SL option A SL option B	IB Cardiff	10 April 2009/ 10 October 2009	IBIS
Submit the sample internal assessment work for investigation workbooks	HL option A SL option A	Moderator	20 April 2009/ 20 October 2009	Form 6/VACS
Submit the sample internal assessment work for studio work	HL option B SL option B	Moderator	20 April 2009/ 20 October 2009	Form 6/VACS
Last date for examiner visits	HL option A HL option B SL option A SL option B	Not applicable	25 April 2009/ 25 October 2009	Not applicable
No visiting examiner allocated Submit all candidate record booklets, portfolios and CDs (audio cassettes)	HL option A SL option A	IB Cardiff	28 April 2009/ 28 October 2009	Not applicable
No visiting examiner allocated Submit all candidate record booklets, investigation workbooks and CDs (audio cassettes)	HL option B SL option B	IB Cardiff	28 April 2009/ 28 October 2009	Not applicable
Visiting examiner allocated Submit the teacher feedback on examiner visit	HL option A HL option B SL option A SL option B	IB Cardiff	1 May 2009/ 1 November 2009	Form 6/VATF

6a.3Methods of assessment

Higher level	Standard level	Higher level	Standard level
Option A	Option A	Option B	Option B
Studio (60%)	Studio (60%)	Investigation (60%)	Investigation (60%)	External assessment
Investigation (40%)	Investigation (40%)	Studio (40%)	Studio (40%)	Internal assessment
All candidates must complete a visual arts candidate record booklet. The booklet serves as a record of the candidate's studio and investigation and is used in the moderation process of the visual arts assessment.				Candidate record booklet

In addition to the information given here, refer to section H6, the Visual arts guide and the candidate record booklet for further details.

6a.4Candidate record booklet

IB Cardiff will send candidate record booklets to schools, for completion by candidates, with the package of examination stationery. Each completed record booklet must contain:

The candidate record booklets include instructions for candidates and their teachers on how the booklet should be completed. It is essential that these are referred to. Refer also to the Visual arts guide, including the table “Quantity of work” (page 19).

The reproduction must be of sufficient quality to enable ease of moderation.

The candidate record booklets must be sent to the examiner indicated on IBIS to arrive before his/her visit to the school. The school is responsible for paying the cost of postage and any additional expenses (for example, for customs clearance).

6a.5Internal assessment

Internal assessment is a requirement for visual arts at both higher and standard level and in both option A and B. Of the total marks for visual arts, 40% is allocated to the internal assessment component at both higher and standard level. In option A the internal assessment is the investigation, in option B the internal assessment is the studio. The submission of work from five, eight or ten candidates from each option allows the IB to moderate teachers’ marks for the internal assessment component in order to achieve a common standard across schools.

The criteria for the assessment of the studio and investigation components are published in the Visual arts guide. The criteria must be applied according to whether the candidate is HL or SL, and taking option A or B. Ensure that the appropriate differentiated markbands for the level and option are used. Where there is more than one visual arts teacher teaching the course, internal standardization must take place.

On Form 6/VACS, the visual arts coversheet, enter the candidate’s total mark out of 20. Remember to use whole numbers; do not use decimals, fractions or estimates. Ensure that the total internal assessment mark as given in the candidate record booklet and on IBIS (and, in the case of candidates in the sample/s, on the coversheet Form 6/VACS) is the same.

The assessment of the investigation and studio component/s must be conducted in time to submit marks to IB Cardiff (via IBIS) to arrive by 10 April/10 October.

After making your final assessment on all candidates, identify the sample/s chosen by IBIS.

The coordinator should send the photocopies of the candidate record booklets in the sample accompanied by coversheet Form 6/VACS to the moderator allocated by IB Cardiff to arrive by 20 April/20 October. The school is advised to retain copies of the work and coversheets.

For those candidates in the sample/s note that page 1 of the candidate record booklet is for the visiting examiner’s comments and must not be included. Copies of the sample/s must be made before the visiting examiner writes his or her comments and takes the candidate record booklets. The reproduction must be clear.

The copies of the studio work for those candidates in the sample may be submitted as photographs (two per page and including captions) or as photocopies. In the case of option A, it is strongly recommended that these are in colour. In the case of option B, copies of the studio work must be in colour.

The copies of the representative investigation workbook pages for those candidates in the sample may be submitted in black and white. However, it is strongly recommended that these are in colour, particularly for option A investigation work. This is particularly important when the work on the pages is clearly referring to colour and/or media experiments relating to the use of colour.

6a.6External assessment

The assessment of higher level option A and standard level option A (studio) and of higher level option B and standard level option B (investigation), is normally conducted by a visiting examiner. Although the school proposes a visiting examiner, the allocation of a visiting examiner is determined by IB Cardiff, not the school. If an appropriate visiting examiner cannot be appointed by IB Cardiff, refer to the alternative arrangements in sections 6a.6.8 and 6a.6.9.

6a.6.1Visiting examiner

Proposals and appointment

Submit to IB Cardiff, to arrive no later than 7 October/7 April, seven months before the written examinations, the visiting examiner proposal Form 6/VAEP, irrespective of whether an examiner or alternative arrangements are to be requested.

If proposing a new examiner, please provide the applicant with the application Form 6/VAEA. (Existing IB visual arts examiners do not need to reapply.) If the school has a large number of candidates in the visual arts you may wish to propose more than one examiner.

The examiner must not have had contact with the visual arts candidates, nor be personally known to them before the official visit for the interview.

The submission of a visiting examiner proposal does not guarantee that the proposed examiner/s will be appointed.

In February/August IB Cardiff will provide a visiting examiner notification, which will indicate if a visiting examiner has been allocated.

Practical arrangements

Contact examiners to make practical arrangements only after receiving the examiner notification, unless otherwise instructed by IB Cardiff.

It is the responsibility of the school to make the appropriate arrangements for the examinations described in these guidelines. IB Cardiff is not responsible for the practical arrangements for the visits.

The examinations must be arranged for any dates between 10 March/10 September and 25 April/25 October that are mutually convenient to the school and the examiner. Obtain permission from IB Cardiff well in advance if dates outside this period are being considered. Permission will only be given if the examination cannot, for exceptional reasons or emergencies, be held between the specified dates.

If you cannot contact a visiting examiner, or the examiner is no longer willing to conduct the examination, contact IB Cardiff without delay.

Expenses

IB Cardiff reimburses the examiner for the travel expenses incurred for the school visit to conduct the examinations (that is, one return trip). Obtain permission from IB Cardiff well in advance if any additional travel expenses are likely to be incurred. Any general expenses incurred by the examiner in carrying out the assessment will also be reimbursed by IB Cardiff, but the school is responsible for paying for any necessary food and accommodation.

6a.6.2Examination schedule

Allow 30 to 40 minutes for each HL candidate to present his or her work, and 20 to 30 minutes for each SL candidate. There should be a short break between the assessment of each candidate.

Prepare a detailed schedule for the examiner, showing the order in which the candidates will be seen and interviewed.

6a.6.3Selection of studio work: HL and SL option A

Candidates must prepare an exhibition of their studio work, made during their IB Diploma Programme visual arts course, to be viewed and discussed with the visiting examiner. The investigation workbooks must be available for the examiner to see. (Refer to the Visual arts guide for further details.)

6a.6.4Presentation of work: HL and SL option B

The interview with the examiner is based on the investigation workbooks, completed by the candidates during their IB Diploma Programme visual arts course. It is not necessary for studio explorations to be exhibited, but the work done in the studio must be available for the examiner to see. (Refer to the Visual arts guide for further details.)

6a.6.5Start of the examination

The viewing and discussion of the candidates’ work must be in a room where no other activities are taking place. The examiner will ask to see the space before the examination begins and may request changes if the arrangements are not satisfactory.

Give the examiner on arrival:

Candidates must identify themselves by name and candidate session number. If a candidate is absent, give the examiner a brief explanation for the absence. Do not report to the examiner any details of special circumstances affecting a candidate.

6a.6.6Interview by the visiting examiner

The examiner will have studied the candidate record booklets before the interview and will be responsible for leading the interview with each candidate. Candidates are not expected to prepare a discourse on their work.

The interview is not expected to be a formal occasion and the examiner will try to help the candidate relax. Every attempt will be made to draw candidates out, to encourage them and give them confidence to talk about their work. (Refer to the Visual arts guide for further details.)

The examiner will expect visual rather than verbal articulation. If the language of the interview is not the candidate’s best language, he or she will not be penalized.

Supervised interview with candidates

In certain countries there are now restrictions on the circumstances in which adults have access to students in a school. For example, criminal vetting procedures for teachers and school support staff may impose limitations. Coordinators are therefore expected to comply with any local or national requirements that impose restrictions on visiting examiners having unsupervised access to candidates. In fact, it is recommended that throughout the visit of the examiner, including each candidate’s examination, a teacher accompany the examiner.

6a.6.7After completion of the examination

Sending material to IB Cardiff

The visiting examiner, not the school, is responsible for sending the candidate record booklets to IB Cardiff.

Performance of the candidates

The marks awarded by the visiting examiner and the performance of the candidates must not be revealed to the candidates or teachers. There may be a general discussion about the school’s entry as a whole and future teaching policy for visual arts in the school, but the assessment of individual candidates must not be discussed at any point. The school and visiting examiner must not be in contact with one another after the visit/release of results except to discuss a forthcoming examination visit. All questions must be referred to IB Cardiff.

Compliance with subject requirements

The examiner conducts the assessment on the basis of the programme in the Visual arts guide. Failure by the school to comply with the requirements in the current guide may result in no grade being awarded to the candidate(s) concerned.

Cases of emergency

In cases of emergency, contact IB Cardiff for advice. Any irregularities or anomalies that occur during the examination must be reported immediately to IB Cardiff in writing.

Teacher feedback

To assist in making recommendations for future examiner appointments, the visual arts teacher is asked to submit a report on the visit of the examiner. Send Form 6/VATF to IB Cardiff, to arrive as soon as possible after the visit and no later than 1 May/1 November.

6a.6.8Alternative arrangements: Visiting examiner not allocated (HL option A and SL option A)

If a visiting examiner is not allocated:

Portfolios

Identify each piece of work clearly, then arrange and present each piece of work to the best advantage in the portfolio.

Ensure that the candidate name and session number is clearly marked on each piece.

Include, where possible, the original studio works discussed during the recorded interview.

The following should not be sent:

Recorded interviews

Refer to section H8 on audio recordings for advice on the interviewing room, equipment and recording. Record each interview on CD (audio cassette), using one CD (cassette) for each candidate. (Rewind each cassette to the beginning.) The interview should be a discussion of the candidate’s studio work and not merely a discourse on the candidate’s own work. Make every effort to discuss:

Identify clearly any work discussed and, where possible, ensure that such works form part of the portfolio or are represented by colour photographs.

Taking into consideration any internal school deadlines, the coordinator should be provided with:

The coordinator must then send the above items, clearly presented and packaged to ensure ease of return if requested, to IB Cardiff to arrive by 28 April/28 October.

Should the return of the material be requested, then it is the school that is responsible for paying the cost of postage and any additional expenses (for example, for customs clearance).

6a.6.9Alternative arrangements: Visiting examiner not allocated (HL option B and SL option B)

If a visiting examiner is not allocated:

Investigation workbooks

Collate all investigation workbooks developed during the course for dispatch to IB Cardiff. Please ensure that the candidate name and session number are clearly marked on each workbook.

Recorded interviews

Refer to section H8 on audio recordings for advice on the interviewing room, equipment and recording. Record each interview on CD (audio cassette), using one CD (cassette) for each candidate. (Rewind each cassette to the beginning.) The emphasis of the discussion should be on issues of art criticism and cultural understanding. Make every effort to discuss:

Identify clearly any work discussed.

Taking into consideration any internal school deadlines, the coordinator should be provided with:

The coordinator must then send the above items, clearly presented and packaged to ensure ease of return if requested, to IB Cardiff to arrive by 28 April/28 October.

Should the return of the material be requested, then it is the school that is responsible for paying the cost of postage and any additional expenses (for example, for customs clearance).

6a.7Summary of the coordinator’s requirements

The following is a summary of what the coordinator will need from the visual arts teacher(s).

	Material required by internal school deadline
Higher level and standard level option A	Visiting examiner proposal Form 6/VAEP Predicted grades and marks for internal assessment Copies of candidate record booklets attached to coversheet Form 6/VACS for candidates in internal assessment sample Candidate record booklets (all candidates) Teacher feedback on the examiner visit Form 6/VATF Alternative arrangements: no visiting examiner allocated Predicted grades and marks for internal assessment Candidate record booklets (all candidates) Portfolios (all candidates) CDs (audio cassettes) (all candidates)
Higher level and standard level option B	Visiting examiner proposal Form 6/VAEP Predicted grades and marks for internal assessment Copies of candidate record booklets attached to coversheet Form 6/VACS for candidates in internal assessment sample Candidate record booklets (all candidates) Teacher feedback on the examiner visit Form 6/VATF Alternative arrangements: no visiting examiner allocated Predicted grades and marks for internal assessment Candidate record booklets (all candidates) Investigation workbooks (all candidates) CDs (audio cassettes) (all candidates)