As compared to the national matriculation examination
The IB Diploma gives the same qualification for further education as does the Icelandic matriculation examination (“stúdentspróf”). The IB Diploma is, however, different from the standard matriculation examination in a number of ways:
- It is completed in three (or even two) years instead of four.
- Students select only six traditional academic subjects and complete a full two-year course in each.
- Alongside students work on an extended essay, study Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and participate in activities outside the classroom which call for creativity, action and service (CAS).
- IB subjects are taught and examined in English.
- The final IB examinations, which take place in May each year, come from IBO. They are assessed and moderated by international examiners.
Because of administrative and examination costs, school fees are higher than for students in the national programme. IB students have to pay 90,000 ISK in addition to the general school fee (which is 5,250 ISK per term); an amount that is paid during the first five/three terms (i.e. one third or one fifth per term).
