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Certificate / Diploma / Equivalents

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Academic Requirements:

2The IB Diploma Programme is the basis of study for the final two years at NIST. Both IB Certificate and IB Diploma students must take six subjects. One subject must be selected from each of the following groups:

  • Group 1 Language A (First Language)
  • Group 2 Language B (Second Language)
  • Group 3 Individuals and Societies (History, Geography, Economics, Business & Management, Psychology)
  • Group 4 Experimental Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Systems, Design Technology)
  • Group 5 Mathematics (Higher Level Mathematics, Further Maths, Standard Level Mathematics and Mathematical Studies)
  • Group 6 Electives (Visual Arts, Theatre Arts, Music, Computer Science or another subject from Groups 1-4)

Students also take the IB Theory of Knowledge course and write a research-based Extended Essay. All students are involved in the CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) programme.

The NIST Graduation Diploma:

The NIST Graduation Diploma is awarded to students who have successfully completed their four years of Upper Secondary School. Credit is given for transcripted achievement from NIST and any other schools attended. Criteria for graduation are academic and extra-curricular, in keeping with NIST’s philosophy of holistic development. Having received CIS/NEASC accreditation, the NIST Graduation Diploma is valid as a High School Diploma in the U.S.A. and abroad.

Equivalency with the US Grade System:

5Equivalency with the US Grade system follows recommendations made by the IBO, based upon suggestions made by the Franco-American Commission, Paris, and the collective wisdom of a number of colleagues and schools with good experience of the systems. It is acknowledged that grading standards vary, and that admissions officers in other institutions may have their own equivalencies. The NIST system of assessment is based firmly upon established IB criteria.

NIST does not calculate a student’s GPA or rank them in a year group. However, for university applications we are able to provide decile rankings to students according to their cumulative IB performance in addition to predicted IB Grades.

Grade Scheme & Equivalencies Using the IB 1-7 Scale:

 

IB

 

NIST

US Equivalency

7

Excellent

7

Excellent

--

6

Very Good

6

Very Good

A+

5

Good

5

Good

A, A-

4

Satisfactory

4

Satisfactory

B+, B, B-

3

Mediocre

3

Needs Improvement

C+, C

2

Poor

2

Weak

C-, D+,D

1

Very Poor

1

Very Weak

D-

N

No Grade Awarded

(1-0)

E

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