The long wait is over, and students at 11 international schools in Vietnam have received their International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) results. There were 469 students who sat the IB in the 2017-18 academic year.
In terms of context, the global average for the IBDP is 29.78, down marginally on the previous year. Vietnam however posted an above average IB average of 33.24.
Each point in the IB is the equivalent of approximately 2.2%. The maximum IB score is 45.
The results were announced on July 5 at American International School of Vietnam, Australian International School, (Thu Thiem); British International School, Hanoi; British International School, Ho Chi Minh City (An Phu Secondary); Canadian International School - Vietnam; European International School; Hanoi International School; International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) (Secondary); Renaissance International School Saigon; Saigon South International School; and United Nations International School of Hanoi.
There are four full IB schools, offering all three programmes including the PYP, MYP and IBDP. These are European International School, Hanoi International School (Co., Ltd), International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) (Secondary), and United Nations International School of Hanoi. The International School of Vietnam will introduce the IBDP from September 2018.
Of the schools that have published results so far…
At British International School (BIS) HCMC the 11th cohort of students achieved a 100% pass rate with an average score of 36.3 points; this is considerably higher than the global average of 29.78 points and just a very slight increase on the school’s average score last year of 36.2. In total, 23.9% of students achieved 40 points and above, and the highest score was 45.
Principal Anthony Rowlands said:
“Our parents will be very proud and deservedly so, as they have played such a pivotal role in their child’s success. BIS HCMC goes from strength to strength and it is all down to the wonderful people that make up our vibrant community.”
At British International School (BIS) Hanoi, the school’s first IB cohort achieved an average score of 32.3 and there was a 96% pass rate. The top mark was 44 points, just one short of full marks.
Principal Sue Hill said:
“We are incredibly proud of our pioneering students. We cannot underestimate this special achievement. To exceed the global average in our first attempt at the International Baccalaureate is extraordinary.”
At International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) (Secondary), students achieved a 98% pass rate with an average score of 33.5 points. A total of 61 out of 65 IB students were awarded the IBDP, and one student received a perfect score of 45 point. In addition, seven students achieved a score of 40, 23% of students scored 39 points, and 67% of the 2018 cohort achieved a bilingual diploma. ISHCMC is an inclusive school where all senior students study the IBDP.
Head of school Adrian Watts said:
“We try to make our programmes as inclusive as possible as this allows students to challenge themselves and be the best they can be. Again this year we have great stories of students who did not expect to pass their IB Diploma, surprising not only their teachers but also themselves.”
2018 was a good year for IB in Vietnam, and the 50th year of the IB was not a bad one for the International Baccalaureate programme either. Today there are over 1.7 million learners worldwide - more than at any other time in the programme's history.
IB Chief Assessment Officer Paula Wilcock, said: “As we celebrate our 50th year I look forward to continuing to ensure that our assessments measure what is important, and continue to evolve with our rapidly changing world”.