What do I need for my IB class?
As a general rule, students should have a notebook and folder specifically dedicated to each class they take.  Students may be expected to purchase books in their English and/or History classes (scholarship opportunities are available).  Check the syllabi for each class for specifics, but the following list will be a good start:

• A USB/Flash drive to transfer student work from home to school
• Google Docs account, to ensure student work is not lost and is accessible on school computers
• School email account - all MPS students are given an email account and should get in the habit of using this account for all correspondence with the PHHS staff
• Optional: Donate kleenex, containers of hand sanitizer and/or clorox wipes to your classroom teachers to help keep our school environment clean and healthy

When do I register for the IB exams?
Exam registration occurs during the month of October.  The IBO requires all exam registrations to be entered into their system and confirmed by November 15th.  After November 15th, any changes to a student’s registration status comes with considerably expense to the student.

What do I have to do to take the IB exams?
By registering for the IB exam in an examination level IB course, you must complete the following:

• Remain enrolled in the course for the full duration of the course
• Complete all required Internal and/or External Assessments by the deadlines set by your instructors
• Take all components of the IB exam – most IB exams consist of two or more papers.

Can I take an IB class without taking the IB exam?
If a student is enrolled in an IB class, they are expected to complete all requirements of the course.  This includes taking the IB exams for that course.  When colleges and scholarship organizations see an IB course on a student transcript, they expect that student to have engaged in the full IB experience within that course.  In other words, if you are in an IB examination level course, you must take the IB exam for that course in May.

How much do I have to pay to take the IB exam(s)?
The cost to register for IB exams this year is $135.00, plus $92.00 for each exam.  Students are asked to pay only a $30.00 fee for each exam they register to take, and the State of Minnesota and Minneapolis School District pays for the rest.  The State of Minnesota will pay the exam fees for students on free or reduced lunch.  No one is kept from taking I.B. exams if the exam fee cannot be paid. You, or your student, can talk to the program coordinator, Brionna Harder, about a scholarship. Students need to pay the exam fee(s) when they register.  

When and where are the IB exams held?
The IB exams are administered in the month of May, according to dates set by the IBO.  As much as possible, we schedule the exams to be administered off-site, at area churches, to provide the most secure and quiet testing environment possible.  All students receive a copy of the PHHS IB Exam Calendar with dates, times and locations in early February.   

What happens if I register for an IB exam but cannot take it in May?
Any student who does not take the exam(s) for which they registered, or who does not complete the requirements to take the exam, must pay for the full cost of the exam.  This cost is $227.00 for the first exam and $92.00 for each additional exam.

What are the benefits of taking the IB exam?
The most important benefit of taking the IB exam is the experience a student has by committing to do so.  By preparing for IB exams, students receive a challenging, college-preparatory experience that will enhance their future studies.  Through the course requirements, students engage in deepening their content knowledge and skills, strengthening academic skills such as time management, study and organizational skills, creating various, quality academic works to be evaluated, according to internationally-held assessment criteria, by external examiners and taking exams that demand the student’s best efforts in that subject area.  The whole journey from beginning of course to end of examination is excellent preparation for college and life beyond high school as a member of our global society.

Most colleges and universities recognize the IB Diploma Programme, though the manner in which they do so vary from institution to institution.  Students who earn IB exams scores of 5 or higher, particularly on Higher Level examinations, may earn college credit or advanced standing for their efforts.  To learn about the IB recognition policies of various colleges and universities around the world, search the IB University Recognition Directory.