High school students are often confused as to which universities to apply to, and the important things to consider while applying to them. While information for the CBSE board is widely available, much of the information for the other boards is a lot harder to secure. Delhi University admits the students based on their percentage but what about the students from the IB Board who follow the grading system?
If you are currently in 12th (IB Board) and unaware of the admission criterion universities follow, or if you are currently in class higher secondary planning to change your board, and thinking if you would face any difficulty for your admission, then you should read this. The article talks about the rules and regulations different universities follow to admit students.
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IB Board and grading system
The students in IB board are evaluated based on the grading system ranging from 1-7, and most of the universities admit students on the basis of percentage/marks scored in Class 12th. The results are published every year around 5th July and 5th January for the IB board. If you are among the students getting their results on 5th July, then it is quite late as most of the universities are already through their admission process. In that case, IB board offers predicted scores to the students before the exams which is based on their past performance. Students can secure provisional admission in various universities, based on these scores. The admission is confirmed, once the final results are out. If there is a significant discrepancy between the final scores and the predicted scores, the admission can be cancelled.
The following table is used by most of the universities in India to convert the IB Score into percentages:
| IB – Grade | Indian Equivalent |
| 7 | 96-100 |
| 6 | 83-95 |
| 5 | 70-82 |
| 4 | 56-69 |
| 3 | 41-55 |
| 2 | 21-40 |
| 1 | 1-20 |
Universities accepting IB Scores
1. Delhi University
Delhi University is one of the top universities in India, and it offers a wide range of courses such as English, Psychology, History, Economics, B.com, Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, etc.
Admission Process: The admission process is Delhi University for most of its courses is through merit. The students are required to fill the form where they select their course preferences. A student can select any number of preferences. University will release the cut-off for each course, and if the students meet the %age requirement, they need to visit the college to complete the admission process.
For IB Students: Some of the colleges of the Delhi University accept the predicted scores, but for the majority of colleges, students have to wait for their final results, generally, until the 2nd or 3rd list comes out. Most of the seats in the Delhi University are already filled by then. Lady Sri Ram College of Delhi University accepts the students on their predicted scores. Though every year, rules are changing, and it is advisable to contact the colleges for the new rules.
2. Christ University, Bangalore
Christ University offers courses ranging from Business Studies, Commerce, Management, Hotel Management, Law, Sciences, Humanities, etc.
Admission Procedure: Christ University conducts entrance exams for most of the courses, which is followed by personal interview. Even for the courses which do not have an entrance exam, a personal interview is conducted.
IB Board Admission: Christ University accepts the predicted scores of the IB Board, and the admission is based on both the entrance exam and the performance of the student in the school. The university would require a transcript from the school, which would include the student’s percentage equivalent of the grades. Candidates are required to submit the final marks before a date announced by the university. Generally, the date is around the 2nd week of July.
Read More: Battle of the Boards: Comparison of CBSE Vs. CISCE Vs. IB Vs. Cambridge
3. University of Mumbai
University of Mumbai is also among one of the top universities in India, and it offers courses in BA, B.Sc, Commerce, Languages, Mass Media, Social Work, B.Ed, etc.
Admission Procedure: The admission to the university is based on the marks scored in Class 12th, though there are entrance exams for few courses.
IB Admission: The University of Mumbai accepts the IB diploma students for both undergraduate and professional courses in over 627 colleges affiliated to the University. Additionally, due to the late release date of the final results from the IB office in Geneva, Switzerland, students are eligible for applying to St. Xavier’s College and Narsee Monjee College, which are among the top colleges in India.
4. Ashoka University
Ashoka University is a relatively new university, and is based on a liberal arts model. Ashoka offers subjects in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences (such as Political science, International Relations, etc.), math and computer science, etc.
Admission process: The admission process is divided into 2 steps. First, the students are required to submit an application form, which includes personal and demographic details, the performance from class IX to XII, extra-curricular activities in school, essays, and SAT/ACT score (optional), among other details. The shortlisted candidates are, then, invited for a personal interview round.
IB Admission: All the students of the IB Board are eligible to apply for the Ashoka University with no minimum percentage as the eligibility. However, during the admission, the predicted scores submitted by the school and academic performance in senior school will be evaluated. The admission process is same as for the students of other boards, but if there is a considerable difference in the predicted and final scores, the admission might be cancelled. Provisional offer is given to all students in advance.
5. Design Colleges
There are various design colleges in India such as NID, NIFT, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Indian school of Design and Innovation, etc., and these colleges offer courses such as Fashion Design, Accessory Design, Jewelry Design, Fashion Communication, Fashion Business Management, etc.
Admission: The admission in the top colleges such as NID, NIFT, and etc. is based on the entrance exam, portfolio and a personal interview. The entrance exam will assess you on design aptitude, perception, logical reasoning, general proficiency, etc.
IB admission: All the design colleges accept the IB predicted scores, and you can sit for the entrance exams even if your results have not been declared.
All India Entrance Exams for IB Students
Other than the top universities, there are top national level exams as well. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) accepts the predicted scores for its undergraduate courses. You can only apply to the course if you have an Indian passport. There are various entrance exams for engineering, medicine, architecture, etc., which the student should qualify. Find below the information regarding the top science exams:
1. Medicine
For all the students in the IB Board who are aiming at the medicine entrance, you must understand the eligibility criterion. You should have physics, chemistry and biology in your class 12th. But in IB-DP (IBDP is a two-year programme for the students aged 16–19) there are 6 groups and the students are required to select one subject from each class. You can skip the group 6 and select any 2 subjects from any other group. But in the case of medicine entrances, you should have 3 science subjects. There are two options to solve this problem.
- Group 1: First Language (English)
- Group 2: Second Language (French, German ab initio, Hindi, etc.)
- Group3: Individuals and Societies (History, Economics, Business and Management, etc.)
- Group 4: Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Systems)
- Group 5: Mathematics and Computer Science
- Group 6: Electives (either Visual Arts or a second subject from any other group except group 1 and 2.)
You can study 7 subjects by taking an additional science subject. This will not be counted in the overall IB diploma score. Hence, taking the extra subject is simply to satisfy the entrance exam eligibility.
You can also apply for a non-regular IB diploma. This will meet the eligibility of the three sciences. This is only possible if the proposed higher education allows no other alternative. IB coordinator at the school will provide you with the information and will help you proceed with this request.
2. Council of Architecture
The eligibility for the B. Arch Program is 50% marks, with Mathematics as a compulsory subject in class 12th. Students should clear the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA), which is conducted by the Council of Architecture. If you want to apply in CEPT and other colleges, and your result is still not out or you have applied for rechecking, you are eligible to apply. You will be required to submit an attested certificate from the principal that you are a science student meeting the basic eligibility of the entrance exam.
3. Engineering
Engineering entrance exams such as IIT-JEE, BIT-SAT, VITEEE, COMEDK, etc. are among one of the most popular entrance exams in India. You are allowed to appear for the test before your exams but if you clear these exams, and your final grades are not declared at the time of the counselling, your admission will be provisional. You are required to submit the marks card that confirms that you have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as main subjects with minimum 60% in the final exams.
Documents required for Admission to Indian universities
Percentage Transcripts: A document which contains a detailed statement of your marks that is issued after the release of results.
Migration Certificate: The certificate is issued after the exams in the month of May. You can download it from IBIS (secure website for IB coordinators).
IB Predicted Scores are accepted in majority of the colleges in India including, Symbiosis University, National Law University, different entrance exams for management courses like JAT, etc.
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