COMMACK HIGH SCHOOL

Spring 2025 IB Exam Registration 

Beginning September 15, 2024, please use this link to register for the IB exams that you plan to take this spring, May 2025. 

For help with what exam you should take, click here.

 Each IB exam will cost $128 and must be paid at the time of registration. 

• Saturday, October 15 - Last day to register without a late fee.   

• Late registrations and payments will incur a $39 late fee per registration.

• Monday, January 15 - Registrations and payments made after this date will incur a $155 late fee per registration and must be approved by the IB Organization.

• If you have any questions regarding your registration, please speak to your classroom teacher.

May 2025 IB Exam Schedule

IB Diploma Programme 

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a challenging pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations, that meets the needs of highly motivated secondary school students between the ages of 16 and 19 years. Designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of various national education systems, the IB Diploma model is based on the pattern of no single country but incorporates the best elements of several. Each subject exam is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The awarding of the IB Diploma requires students to meet defined standards and conditions including a minimum total of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge course (ToK) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) activities.  

To earn the IB Diploma, students must:  Complete course and exam requirements in six IB subjects; write an extended essay of independent research on a topic chosen by the student and guided by a faculty mentor; Complete Creativity, Activity, and Service activities (CAS); Participate in a critical thinking course called TOK.

• Theory of Knowledge (ToK) is a course for full IB Diploma candidates that challenges students to question the basis of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases, and to develop a personal mode of thought based on analysis of evidence expressed in rational argument. ToK seeks to develop a coherent approach to learning which transcends and unifies all academic subjects and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives. ToK classes at Commack High School meet one period every other day during both the junior and senior years. 
• Creativity, Activity, Service(CAS) is the part of the IB Diploma Program that requires students to engage in and on reflect on multiple experiences along side their academic studies.  The CAS requirement takes the importance of life outside of the classroom seriously and as a counterbalance to a demanding school program.   
• The Extended Essay (EE) requires IB Diploma candidates to undertake in original research and writing of an approximately 3,000-4,000 word paper.  This task offers students the opportunity to investigate a topic of their interest, choose their own mentor from our faculty and acquaint themselves with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at the university level.   Please consult the Extended Essay section on this website and Dr. Jeziorski’s (our EE Coordinator) webpage for more information regarding the EE.

Diploma Candidates - Coursework & Grading

1. IB Diploma students must complete one IB course from each of the six core curriculum groups during the course of their junior and senior year (English, Language, History, Science, Math; Elective OR a second Science OR a second Social Science) and the corresponding IB exam at the end of those courses.  (6 courses = 6 IB exams)
2. All IB course exams have an internally assessed component (completed by the teacher and an IB examiner) and externally assessed component (completed by an outside IB examiner).  Both the Internal Assessment (IA) and External Assessment (generally given in May) comprise a student's IB exam score for that course.  
3. The IB exam guidelines for IB Diploma candidates are as follows:  

1. A minimum of 3 exams, and no more than 4 exams, must be HL (Higher Level) exams. The rest will be SL (Standard Level) exams.
2. A minimum of 24 total points must be achieved combined on the 6 exams to earn an IB Diploma.  Exams are scored on a scale from 1-7.
3. The three higher level exam scores must total 12 points or higher to earn an IB Diploma. If a student takes 4 higher level exams, the best 3 HL scores of the 4 must total 12 points or higher.  Also, no higher level exam score may be lower than a 3 to qualify for the IB Diploma.
4. A student may ONLY sit for up to 2 Standard Level exams during his/her junior year.  The remainder of their exams will be competed during his/her senior year. 

4. Satisfactory completion of the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course. This includes writing a 1,600 essay (called a prescribed title) and completing a presentation.**
5. Satisfactory completion of the Extended Essay (EE). **
6. Satisfactory completion of the seven learning outcomes of Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).  

  **An “E” on a scale of A through E in either Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge will result in no IB Diploma. 

Course Candidates

Students wishing to take IBDP courses and exams, but not complete ToK, EE and CAS may take one or more IB courses and exams of their choosing as Course Candidates.

• In order to receive an IB certificate for an IB course, students must complete the IB exam at the end of that course.
• IB Course Candidates must also complete all other course requirements satisfactorily, including the Internal Assessment for each IB course.
• IB courses require a commitment to the course work and preparation for the exam.

IB Career-Related Programme Requirements

The International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (CP) is designed for students in grades 11 and 12 who are interested in pursuing a career-related education.  The CP offers a learning and assessment programme that promotes access to an IB education while supporting and complementing a student’s career-related studies.  Commack is excited to offer four pathways: Business Administration, STEM, Health Sciences and Fine Arts

How can students earn the Career-Related Programme Certificate?

To be awarded the CP Certificate, students must:

• Complete a minimum of 2 IB Diploma courses (spread over two years) and earn a minimum of a 3 on the exams (SL or HL). 

• Complete a minimum of  2 full- year career-related study courses (spread over two years). (Two half-year courses may be substituted for one full-year course.)

• Complete a Personal and Professional Skills course

• Complete IB Career-Related Program Core Requirements (described below)

IB Career-Related Programme

Core Requirements

Personal and Professional Skills is a course that is part of the CP core focusing on ethics, communication, and problem solving. The course will be offered  over two years, every other day, along with the IB Research Methods course.

Reflective Project  is an independent investigation, guided by an adult supervisor, in which the student explores an ethical issue related to their career-related study. (Internally assessed).  This is a 3,000 word essay.

Service Learning is a compulsory element of the CP core, constituting a minimum 50 hours of authentic real-life service learning projects.  This can be a single service learning experience or an extended series of service learning experiences.  Students will have a SL coordinator that will meet various times throughout junior and senior years. 

Language Development can be fulfilled in one of the following ways:

• Option A: The student takes an IB World Language course over two years in addition to at least two other IB courses and completes a language portfolio as part of the class. 

• Option B: Take the IB Language B courses over two years as one of their DP courses. This option requires 50 or more additional hours of language enrichment and a language portfolio.  

• Option C: Take Language & Culture 1 & 2 and complete the language portfolio in class and take two DP courses.

Available CRS courses by Pathway

• Career Pathway Options

CAS, an acronym for Creativity, Activity and Service, is the community service requirement for students pursuing the full IB Diploma. CAS is an opportunity for students to help their communities and themselves.  They are encouraged to choose goals that are realistic and purposeful and to work towards significant outcomes. Additionally, the planning process is an integral part of the CAS program.  

•IB CAS is organized around three strands:

o Creativity—exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance

o Activity—physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle 

o Service—engagement with the community in response to an authentic need 

Students will be required to participate in CAS experiences that fulfill creativity, activity, and service over their two-year enrollment in the IB Diploma Program.   Many of these CAS experiences are things that students are already involved in while other experiences may be new activities that students wish to explore.  These are important CAS guidelines:

• Activities that students participate in inside or outside of school can count as CAS experiences as long as they are active participants in those experiences. Some examples include, but are certainly not limited to, Marching Band, participation in a sport, leadership role in a club, and volunteer work outside of school.   Students may not use a paid experience as part of CAS.
• Students will be graded either as completing these reflections satisfactorily (“S”) or unsatisfactorily (“U”) which will go on to their report card.  They will utilize our online ManageBac system to upload their CAS reflections. 
• Qualifies as CAS                                                                                Does not qualify as CAS

   Volunteering at a voter registration drive                                  Volunteering for a specific political candidate 

  Planning a food drive through your church                               Planning a drive to bring new members to your church.

   Developing a new skill in a sport                                                  Playing a sport with no specific goal in mind

   Choreographing a dance for a recital outside of school          Choreographing a dance for your IB Dance class 

  Babysitting for free for a neighbor                                               Babysitting for pay or for a family member

  Organizing a fundraiser for a community group                       Organizing a fundraiser for your own needs

• Students will be required to submit 8 reflections over 2 years as follows: 
        Junior Year: MP1-1; MP2-2; MP3-3; MP4-2 
        Senior Year: MP1-1; MP2-1; MP3: Exit Interview & Summative Reflection of all of your CAS experiences
   
• Each reflection MUST have a minimum of 1 piece of evidence such as a picture or video.

  •Each reflection will be written with the guidance of the form/outline/template provided that is both reflective and encompasses the learning outcomes. They MUST be uploaded to ManageBac.

   

Furthermore, students are required by the IB Organization to undertake in a CAS Project of at least one month in duration that challenges them to show initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making. The CAS Project can address any single strand of CAS (C, A or S), or combine two or three strands. Students use the stages of CAS (investigation, preparation, action, reflection and demonstration) as a framework for their CAS experiences and the CAS Project.   Some organizations that students have worked with on their CAS Project include: Hope Children's Fund, Long Island against Domestic Violence, Island Harvest and The Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Your CAS reflections must: 

• fit within one or more of the CAS strands (C-A-S).                                

• be based on a personal interest, skill, talent or opportunity for growth. 

•not involve activities where you preach/teach your faith or speak about your religious beliefs although you may perform service through your religious institution (soup kitchens, carnivals, clothing drives, etc.).

•address each of the 7 CAS Learning Outcomes over two years 

      (some activities may address more than one Learning Outcome)

•be uploaded to your ManageBac account 

Our IB CAS Coordinator is:

Mr. Joseph Zaidinski for the Class of 2023 & 2024

Video Explanation of CAS and Managebac Tutorial for CAS

• CAS Video Tutorial 
• Managebac Tutorial for CAS Reflections and Evidence

CAS Project Forms

CAS Reflection Guidelines

CAS Project Planning template

CAS Project Execution and Reflection Template

CAS Grade Presentations

12th Grade Presentation

11th Grade Presentation

What are the Learning Outcomes of CAS?

Learning Outcomes

1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Students are able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, of which some are more developed than others.

2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

A new challenge may be an unfamiliar experience or an extension of an existing one. The newly acquired or developed skills may be shown through experiences that the student has not previously undertaken or through increased expertise in an established area.

3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Students can articulate the stages from conceiving an idea to executing a plan for a CAS experience or series of CAS experiences. This may be accomplished in collaboration with other participants. Students may show their knowledge and awareness by building on a previous experience, or by launching a new idea or process.

4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Students demonstrate regular involvement and active engagement in CAS.

5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

Students are able to identify, demonstrate and critically discuss the benefits and challenges of collaboration gained through CAS experiences.

6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

Students are able to identify and demonstrate their understanding of global issues, make responsible decisions, and take appropriate action in response to the issue either locally, nationally or internationally.

7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Students show awareness of the consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences.

CAS Final Reflection Questions for Seniors

CAS FINAL REFLECTION FOR SENIORS:

No word count but you should talk about your overall CAS experiences. 

*Which experiences were the most meaningful and why? 

*What challenges did you experience with your CAS activities?

*Were there any experiences that made a lasting impression on you? If so, why?

*Are there any activities you will continue to stay involved in after you graduate? If so, why? 

*What lessons did you learn from your CAS experiences?

*Are there any activities you will continue to stay involved in after you graduate? If so, why? 

CAS Contact Information

CAS Contacts

Our CAS Coordinator is Mr. Zaidinski. Please contact the CAS coordinator should you have any questions.

Email Address:

jzaidinski@commack.k12.ny.us

IB Course Offerings at Commack High School