About the IB DP international baccalaureate

About the IB DP International Baccalaureate – everything worth knowing before choosing the programme

Choosing a school-leaving programme is one of the most important decisions in a teenager’s education – a decision that genuinely affects which universities and courses they will be able to apply to. The IB DP International Baccalaureate (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme) is a prestigious two-year programme recognised by over 5,000 universities worldwide, including those at the top of global rankings. For many parents and students, the problem is not the choice itself – the problem is the lack of reliable information on how the IB DP really works, what the grading structure looks like, what the deadlines are, and what really distinguishes “good results” from “results that open the doors to top universities”.

At MonPat Education, we have been guiding students through the entire process for years – from the choice of subjects, through daily work on the material, to the final predicted grades and applications to foreign universities. Our mentors are graduates of Cambridge, Oxford, and other top universities, who know the IB system from the inside. Thanks to this, we know not only what the programme requires, but also how examiners and admissions committees at the world’s best universities think.

Who is the IB DP for?

The IB DP programme is aimed at ambitious high school students who plan to study abroad or at the best Polish universities and want to have a real advantage in the admissions process. It works particularly well for young people who like to think critically, are curious about the world, have a good command of English, and are not afraid of a demanding workload. It is also an excellent choice for those aiming at science-heavy fields – medicine, biochemistry, engineering, or natural sciences – where HL Chemistry, HL Biology, or HL Mathematics are often a prerequisite for application.

In our experience, parents who come to us for support most often want one thing: predictability and control over what is happening with their child’s education. The IB DP is a programme with clear grading criteria, but at the same time very different from the Polish Matura – the structure is different, the expectations are different, and the way of writing answers is different. That is why our IB tutoring offer is tailored both to students already in the programme and to those who are only considering starting it and need preparation for IB high school or online Pre-IB courses.

Why the IB DP is an investment in the student’s future

The IB DP is not “just another difficult exam” – it is a qualification that genuinely changes a candidate’s opportunities in the academic market. The programme covers 6 subjects (3 at HL and 3 at SL) and three compulsory components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). A maximum of 45 points can be obtained (42 from subjects + 3 from TOK and EE), and the minimum threshold for a diploma is 24 points – but on competitive courses at Russell Group universities in the UK, the threshold starts from 30–32 points, and on top courses often reaches 38–42 points.

For students planning medicine in the UK, Ireland, or Italy, biochemistry at Cambridge, economics at LSE, or engineering at Imperial College London – HL in the relevant subjects is not a luxury, but a condition of entry. Without properly chosen HL subjects and appropriate predicted grades, the application has no chance of success, regardless of the other elements of the candidate’s portfolio. The IB diploma is also fully equivalent to the Polish Matura and is converted by universities such as UW, UJ, and SGH into admissions points according to their own rules.

Looking at it long term: better IB results mean not only higher chances of getting onto the desired course. They also mean a stronger network of contacts, a better professional start, and greater scholarship opportunities. Studies at a top university shape a career for the following decades – which is why the time and effort put into solid IB preparation is an investment whose return can be seen for a lifetime.

Key dates and the IB DP 2026 calendar

The main IB DP exam session in 2026 is the May session – the first exams will take place on 27 April 2026, and the last will end around 20 May 2026. In total, the exam period lasts nearly four weeks and covers all subjects from the six subject groups. At the same time, admissions to studies in Poland for 2026/2027 are taking place – in the IRK/ERK systems, over 350 universities accept applications from 1 March to 31 October 2026. Candidates with the IB diploma enter their results into the system, and universities convert points according to their own scales – taking into account the level of the subject (HL/SL) and the subject group.

Working methodology – why parents and students choose us

Working on the IB at MonPat Education is not “classical tutoring” – it is strategic preparation according to the IB grading criteria. We know that the biggest difference between a good student and a student getting a 7 is not knowledge, but the ability to write answers according to the markscheme. That is why each of our mentors works on specific past papers, analyses grading rubrics, and shows the student how to think in the examiner’s language.

After each session, the student and parent receive a brief progress report with set goals for the next meeting, thanks to which the whole process is transparent and predictable. Between lessons we stay in touch – we answer questions, check IA drafts, or help with more difficult tasks. Many people note that it is precisely this availability and the feeling that someone is genuinely guiding the student through the programme that makes the biggest difference.

• Individual approach to each student – we tailor the work plan to the level (SL/HL), chosen subjects, and application goals.
• Work on original past papers and step-by-step analysis of the markscheme.
• Internal Assessment (IA) mentoring – from the idea, through methodology, to the final editing.
• Support in the Extended Essay and TOK – compulsory components that genuinely affect the final result.
• Optimisation of predicted grades – key for applications to foreign universities.
• Revision strategy plan and psychological preparation before the May exam.
• The first consultation is free – during it we diagnose the student’s level and set an action plan.

Scope of support within the IB DP

Our IB offer covers the full range of student needs – from individual subjects to comprehensive guidance through the entire two-year programme. We work both with students who need support in one subject that is the most difficult for them, and with those who want a mentor to guide them through all elements of the programme.

As part of IB tutoring, we offer, among others: IB Mathematics, IB Chemistry, IB Physics, IB English, IB Polish, IB History, IB Economics, IB Business Management, IB Psychology, IB Geography, IB Computer Science, and Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS). We also help with the Extended Essay and TOK, the Internal Assessment, and – if the need arises – with retaking the IB. We also advise on the choice of IB DP subjects – a decision that determines later application possibilities.

The IB as a natural bridge to studies abroad

The IB diploma is the most common path for students applying to foreign universities – which is why our support does not end with the exam. Students working with us on the IB naturally move on to the next stage: applying to study abroad. We support applications to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, the USA, and Italy.

Our flagship programme is Oxbridge / Ivy League Plus – comprehensive support in applying to Oxford, Cambridge, and top American universities, including mock interviews, live problem-solving analysis, personal statement editing, and preparation for entrance tests such as TSA Oxford, TMUA, or MAT. For students aiming at medicine, we prepare for UCAT, IMAT, and HPAT. We also offer language courses – IELTS Academic, TOEFL, and C1 Advanced.

In other words: by starting work with us on the IB DP International Baccalaureate, the student gains not only a tutor, but a long-term mentor and guide through the entire application process. Our goal is for every student to end up where they really want to be – and to be solidly prepared for it. We always conduct the first conversation free of charge, so that you can check whether our approach matches your expectations.