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India has always been open to learning, exploring new teaching methodologies, and adapting to new syllabi. The teachers and educators in India also understand that a student-centric approach towards education is the best option to make learning exciting, effective, and is the way to produce knowledgeable youngsters who can tackle the challenges of the real world!
In this article, we learn in detail about the two most popular education boards in India, the CBSE and IB Education systems!
Overview Of CBSE Schools
CBSE stands for Central Board of Secondary Education and is regulated by the Union Government of India. CBSE is one of the most popular education boards in India, and as of 2024, over 3.9 million students registered to participate in the class 10 & 12 examinations.
CBSE schools are spread across the globe extensively and have a curriculum that helps in the holistic development of students, which includes consistent development in academics, sports and extracurricular activities ! As an educational board that emphasises innovation and holistic development of students, in 2024, the CBSE board made it mandatory for schools to implement composite skill labs that help students develop various skills!
To understand more about CBSE vs IB schools, let us now explore the overview of the IB education system and IB Board schools in India.
Overview Of IB Board Schools In India
The IB education system is regarded as one of the best education systems in the world. It has found its place in India as a premier educational board that helps students adapt to international standards for a more diverse future in their careers or their pursuit for higher education!
Compared to other education boards, the IB board schools in India are few, making them more exclusive. As of 2022, around 7000-10,000 students have enrolled in India.
The IB schools’ Student learning system is unique and nothing like other educational boards! A few of the many teaching methodologies that IB schools implement are Thematic Learning, Differentiated Instructions, Project-Based learning, Exploratory Learning and more! IB board also emphasises inquiry-based learning and developing student learning systems that encourage students to think independently and critically!
The flexible framework of the IB board allows schools to set programs that they think can positively impact students in their holistic development. These programs might include their pedagogy and other activities. Among the best schools in Hyderabad is Glendale, India, one of the best IB schools in Hyderabad. It has established itself as a pioneer of modern education, blending traditional teaching methods with a twist of modern technological educational standards!
Let us learn more about CBSE and IB curriculums to better understand the core topic of the CBSE vs IB student learning system!
Like other education boards, the International Baccalaureate syllabus focuses on the holistic development of the students, but the international board takes this commitment a step further as it introduced a career-related program (CP) for IBDP students.
Glendale, India, is one of the best schools in Hyderabad. It offers both CBSE and IB curricula across various campuses to allow students to choose the syllabus they feel comfortable with!Curriculum Comparison
CBSE Curriculum
The CBSE grading system uses many factors to arrive at a grade point that shows students’ development and readiness to transition to higher education! CBSE board exams contain five main subjects, two elective subjects, and three internal assessment subjects that they must pass.Secondary Education
In CBSE, there are five core subjects, namely –- Mathematics,
- Science
- Social Studies
- Language 1 &
- Language 2
- Science
- Commerce and
- Arts.
- Art Education
- Work Experience ( CBSE Career Program)&
- Health & Physical Education!
Senior Secondary Education
In classes XI and XII, students are to be tested in –- Languages
- Science/Commerce/Arts &
- Internal Assessment Subjects.
- Language I ( English/Hindi Core)
- Language II or Subject 2
- Three compulsory electives from a pool of skills or academic subjects.
- Health & Physical Education
- General Studies &
- Work Experience ( CBSE Career Program).
IB Curriculum
International Baccalaureate offers comprehensive subjects that help students master concepts as demanded by international standards of various countries. The IB curriculum focuses on the holistic development of students and helps them navigate the challenges of multiple subjects using different teaching methodologies. IB schools’ grading system differs from the CBSE grading system and follows a more expansive view of the student’s holistic development.
The International Baccalaureate is divided into the following –
- IB Primary Years Program ( Ages 3-12)
- IB Middle Years Program ( Ages 11-16)
- IB Diploma Program ( IBDP)( Ages 16-19)
Every program has six groups, and students can choose one subject from each of the six groups. The six groups are –
- Language Acquisition
- Language and Literature
- Individual and Societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics &
- Arts
Apart from the six subjects, students must also pass in
- Creativity, Activity, Service
- Extended Essay &
- Theory of Knowledge.
Another feature of the IB curriculum is its IB Career program ( IB CP), which helps students ages 16-19 pursue education in their area of interest and tests them in the practical applications of every subject!
Assessment and Examination
CBSE Exam Assessment Method
The CBSE board exams are conducted for students of classes 10th and 12th, and the pattern of exam and grading system is as follows –
The internal assessment within the presence of the school’s faculty members carries 20 marks, and this assessment is conducted for all ten subjects before the CBSE board exams.
The students must write board exams for seven of the ten subjects, where external faculty members evaluate the papers without any association with the school! This exam is for 80 marks, and the paper pattern is divided into five sections –
- Section A – MCQs/ Objective questions/ Reading ( 20 marks)
- Section B – Very Short Answers ( 12 marks)
- Section C – Short Answers ( 21 marks)
- Section D – Long Answers (15 marks ) &
- Section E – Source Bases/Case Bases (12 marks)
Students are graded between A1 – and E2, with the range of marks for A1 being 91-100 and for E2 being below 33.
IB Exam Assessment Method
IB board students are graded between 1 and 7 points, with one being the lowest and seven the highest.
The class teacher gives the students regular internal assessments, where students are rigorously tested on various topics and graded on their performance by their teachers.
The external assessment involves students submitting a project for every subject that external teachers grade. This assessment improves the ability of the students to make independent decisions and enhances their research and presentation skills.
For IBDP students, internal and external examinations are tested on various factors, which test their understanding, application, and presentation of various advanced-level topics in every subject!
Pros & Cons Of CBSE
The benefits of CBSE board include –
- Recognised worldwide.
- Set syllabus with a flexible framework.
- Summative Assessments are used to ease the burden on students.
- Focus on critical thinking and holistic development of students.
The cons of the CBSE board include –
- Vast Syllabus and
- High competition
Pros and Cons Of IB Board
The benefits of IB board include –
- Globally recognised board
- Innovative learning methods
- Nurtures independent thinking and logical reasoning from a young age.
The cons of the IB board include –
- Expensive tuition and exam fees.
- Extreme workload
- Limited seats in India.
Glendale, India, has several campuses in Hyderabad that offer IB and CBSE curricula, making them the best CBSE school in Hyderabad and the best IB school in Hyderabad! For more information on our school and courses, visit us at www.glendaleschools.org.in!
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