Investigating the Predictors of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Outcome Scores

Abstract

The main purpose of this investigation was to explore the predictors of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) outcome scores. A purposive sample of 123 high school students was drawn from a selective private school in a city in Eastern Turkey. Multiple regression analyses were conducted for one dependent variable: Diploma Programme outcome scores by using the independent variables: students’ International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) scores, English scores and IBDP mock exam score variance. The model found to explain 76% of the DP outcome scores. It was found also found that the English levels of the students were not considered by teachers as important as they should be. If students could increase their English achievement level in IGCSE by 1 point, their IBDP results would increase .21 points. This means that the prospective IBDP students and their teachers must consider students’ English achievement level as well as their achievement level in IGCSE exam for each course when they are to register for IBDP. The model built as a result of this study can be used by IBDP teachers, coordinators, and students to predict the achievement level of students in the end of IBDP.