IB exams... are they subjective?

I heard that IB exams are... well, pretty subjective. Esp for Group 4, if our answer is essentially correct but not in the same wording with the examiner's answer key, then it would be marked wrong. Is this true?? What do you have to say on this problem, from your past experience?

Reply 1

saray

I can tell you as far as this. I graduated this year and my original score was 39. The score i have now is 41. The reason for this change is that two of my subjects were upgraded: economics and swedish. During the exams i felt i did really well (..and i was predicted 7 in both of these subjects). However, the original examinors did not seem to agree. Got 6 in both. Then two senior examinors corrected my exams and internals and i was upgraded. This experience tells me that the examiners i had in the first place judged things very subjectively. Then when the senior examinors did the correction they were more experienced and objective and could upgrade me - or actually, give me the grades i deserved. And also, i think this is more true for the social science and language subjects.

Reply 2

aluakz

well... group 4 thing is true. you have to be exact. you cannot bull****. you have to know the material. so... the best thing to prepare is past papers.

Reply 3

Spica P.

How long does it take for them to re-grade? If for example, your new grade is less than the original one, can you keep the original?

And how come we are expected to write the exact same sentence word-by-word??? Can't they just look for the keywords or something?

Reply 4

Darkowl

You're original grade is protected, and if the moderator does downgrade it you'll never even know. Re-grading can take any amount of time, my Geography took a couple of weeks, my extended essay has still not yet been confirmed. And lastly, they are rarely successfull.

The grading system for subjective subjects (mine were History, English and Geography) works on a level basis for certain areas. So for instance in English your use and assessment of language for a particular piece of work can be awarded the highest level of competence, 5, or the lowest, 1.
So essentially, no you do not have precise mark schemes, and no examiners are not required to just look for keywords or tick you as you jump through the hoops.

Subject such as chemistry, on the other hand, do require key words in full prose answers. Otherwise key words will simply demonstrate that you have a higher level of understanding of the subject.

Reply 5

aluakz

not word by word. of course they look for keywords. but they probably won't give you your mark if you explain something in several sentences (instead of a short phrase) without having that keyword. be precise.

about remark. your grade cannot go lower.

Reply 6

tangsiuje

i think they're as objective as objective could be. we practised marking sample tok essays (which should be the most difficult ones) with mark schemes, and i could mark them till +/-1 mark's accuracy.

i also worked as an ib tutor in maths and biology, and looking at mark schemes, i think it is extremely clear what will be given marks and what will not when comparing it to what the kids write. it doesn't matter if you explain something in several sentences - i have a tendency to do this myself - if you just can write fast enough, but you need to be explicit about the answer, rather than just imply it.

of course, essays just cannot be marked as objectively as, say, a maths solution, but the subjectivity seen in ib exam marking is a breeze compared to what you will have to face once you get to university. life is unfair, be prepared.

Reply 7

HMSChocolate

well if youve read any markscheme for past paper you will find that they will say the answer this "..... OTTE." OTTE means "Or to the effect" which means if you've said something that is not necessarily word for word but gives the same idea as the markscheme. however some question might say the answer is "... but do not accept ....." I've seen this a lot in science markscheme.

but yes, language and social exams can be subjective. I mean when you've got hundreds of essay to mark and you're down to the hundredth one, you will be feeling pretty tired. I think in essay-based exams even your handwriting can murder you as they will not take time to fanthom your illegible handwriting. or if you say something that might be offensive culturally or something and you get an examiner who is offended by it. I mean of course I think all examiners would try to be objective but sometimes the subjectivity could be subconscious that you dont realise it.

Reply 8

aluakz

HMSChocolate

but yes, language and social exams can be subjective. I mean when you've got hundreds of essay to mark and you're down to the hundredth one, you will be feeling pretty tired. I think in essay-based exams even your handwriting can murder you as they will not take time to fanthom your illegible handwriting. or if you say something that might be offensive culturally or something and you get an examiner who is offended by it. I mean of course I think all examiners would try to be objective but sometimes the subjectivity could be subconscious that you dont realise it.

that's why i like sciences.

Reply 9

rawkingpunkster

haa. i hate sciences.

yes group 4 and A1 will always be subjective. I agree with doing past year papers and checking them with markschemes from past years to see if you're on the right track :smile: