Year-by-Year Breakdown: What To Expect in IBDP in 11th and 12th Grade at Johnson Grammar School | Johnson IBDP

Year-by-Year Breakdown: What To Expect in IBDP in 11th and 12th Grade at Johnson Grammar School

If you’re a parent or student exploring the IBDP curriculum for 12th Class, these are probably your biggest questions. And rightly so, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is rigorous, holistic, and unlike any other curriculum in India.

At Johnson Grammar School, the IBDP journey is structured, well-supported, and designed to help students grow academically, emotionally, and globally. But the two-year program can feel complex from the outside, with assessments, deadlines, IA timelines, CAS hours, mock exams, and final submissions… there’s a lot to understand.

So here’s a clear, year-by-year breakdown of what actually happens in Grade 11 (IBDP Year 1) and Grade 12 (IBDP Year 2) at Johnson Grammar School IBDP.

This guide will help you navigate the process confidently, whether you're preparing for the IBDP admission process for 11th Class in Hyderabad or already part of the program.


Year 1 (Grade 11): Building Foundations, Skills & Structure

Year 1 is all about setting the base, academically, emotionally, and organisationally.

1. Subject Selection & Orientation (First 1–2 Months)

Students choose:

  • 3 Higher Level (HL) subjects
  • 3 Standard Level (SL) subjects

During orientation, teachers explain:

  • Course requirements
  • Assessments
  • Timelines
  • Expectations
  • University relevance of each subject

Parents also receive clarity about workload and support systems.

2. Start of CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service)

CAS begins early in Year 1. Students:

  • Identify long-term CAS projects
  • Participate in weekly or monthly activities
  • Maintain reflections in their portfolio

3. Introduction to TOK (Theory of Knowledge)

TOK begins with:

  • Knowledge frameworks
  • Class discussions
  • Real-life examples
  • Analytical writing

4. Beginning the Extended Essay (EE)

Timeline:

  • Topic exploration
  • Supervisor allocation
  • Research question drafting
  • Initial research
  • Outline submission

By end of Year 1:

  • Working research question
  • Basic structure
  • Supervisor feedback

5. Internal Assessments (IAs)

IAs include:

  • Research
  • Data analysis
  • Experiments
  • Written reports
  • Presentations

By the end of Year 1:

  • Many IAs started
  • Some first drafts submitted
  • Others continue into Year 2

6. Academic Development & Skill-Building

Focus areas:

  • Time management
  • Critical reading
  • Long-form writing
  • Data interpretation
  • Group work
  • Public speaking

7. Year-End Exams (May–June)

These exams:

  • Test understanding
  • Prepare for Year 2
  • Show improvement areas

Year 2 (Grade 12): Refinement, Assessments & University Prep

Year 2 is where major submissions and exams happen.

1. Finalising Internal Assessments

Timeline:

  • Aug–Oct: Final drafts
  • Oct–Nov: Feedback
  • Jan: IA uploads

2. Extended Essay Completion

  • Full draft mid-year
  • Final submission end of term
  • Viva voce

3. CAS Completion & Final Reflections

Students complete:

  • Creativity
  • Activity
  • Service

Plus documentation, evidence & interview.

4. TOK Essay & Exhibition

5. Mock Exams (Jan–Feb)

  • Real exam practice
  • Gap identification
  • Predicted grades

6. Final Board Exam Preparation (Feb–Apr)

  • Revision
  • Past papers
  • Timed tests
  • Doubt-clearing

7. Final IB Examinations (Apr–May)

  • Written exams
  • Practical assessments
  • Oral exams

The IBDP journey at Johnson Grammar School shapes students into thoughtful, responsible, globally aware young adults.

Grade 11 builds the foundation. Grade 12 sharpens skills for university and beyond.