What questions are asked in the interview of IBDP schools?

The competition level for exquisite level school admissions is getting higher by the day. A lot of students are competing for seats at the school, and getting admitted into an international school can be no easy feat. To help narrow down their applicants, some international schools conduct interviews. At this stage, it would be the time to show your interpersonal skills and face the interviewer.

Additionally, a lot of the students are attracted to international schooling since many people see that it’s an opportunity to enhance their overall personality. Being a parent, that becomes a priority for all their children. If you aim to get into the school that you desire, your preparation should be just as good.

The interview is one of the most important stages that you will face and you should be nothing less than prepared. If you want to know how to crack the interview and see some of the commonly asked questions, read below.

How to prepare for the interview?

The tips below can be followed to crack the interview of IBDP:

1. Review your application before you go into the interview. It is always better to be clear of what you have shared so you know what to talk about. Whatever question you respond to, should support your application from every way. This way, it conveys why exactly you want to be selected.
2. Try your best to be yourself. Don’t change who you are just to be impressive. Be authentic and thoroughly yourself because that is who they want to see. This can be done by sharing small and relevant anecdotes. To be smoother with the interview, have a few of them prepared beforehand. 
3. Make sure your body language is professional. Presenting yourself is a key part of attending an interview. It tends to show how serious you are about this seat at the particular school. The interviewers also judge you based on etiquette, attitude, and the way you communicate. You should show how passionate you are about getting into this school.
4. Practice sample interview questions and with someone or in front of a mirror. The more you practice, the more comfortable you get with answering the questions you are faced with. Being comfortable would mean less stuttering & mumbling and getting straight to the point. When you self-practice or practice with someone you know, they can notice your body language and expressions and tell you where what needs improvement.
5. Focusing on the right kind of tone is also a vital factor in an interview. You need to sound just as passionate as you are. Moreover, you need to keep the interviewer engaged and have a friendly, non-attitude tone. You should also be sure not to sound negative to any of the questions or comments that are asked. On that note, you should keep two more things in mind. One is to keep cool and not panic when you are unsure of an answer to a question. Relax and think of the best answer for the interviewer. Secondly, you should always be honest with whatever answer you provide. It needs to show genuine enthusiasm that you really wish to get into this school. Lastly, you would need to maintain eye contact to show your level of confidence and the trust in your answers.

Also Read: Can students in an IB school choose their courses?

To help you prepare, we have compiled a few IBDP student interview questions below:

1. Why did you decide to enroll in our IB program?
2. When did you decide IB was right for you?
3. Were there any negative factors that discouraged you from taking certain IB courses?
4. Who or what has the biggest influence on you regarding educational decisions?
5. How does the grading factor into your decision to take IB courses?
6. What are the greatest contributors to your educational achievement and why?
7. What are the best educational experiences you have had?
8. What is your definition of success?
9. What is your attitude toward school?
10. What kind of extracurricular activities do you enjoy?
11. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
12. Why do you think you are the right fit for this program?
13. What are the three favorite things about yourself?
14. What path are you interested in pursuing after graduation?
15. What are your academic goals?

A few more tips to prepare is to begin going through their school website and their program details. As you do so, make a list of things that you are looking forward to, that way you can mention it and tie it to your answers during the IBDP interview.

It would show the interviewer that you have done your homework and all the background research thereby indicating the curiosity you have to study at their school. Keep in mind that a lot of questions can be centered around the mission and vision statement of the IB curriculum.

Therefore, you will not only need to study the school but the IBDP itself in order to cover all the bases you need to attend the interview. 

All the best for your interview! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What types of questions might be asked during an IB DP school interview?

A: During an IBDP school interview, you may be asked questions about your academic background, extracurricular activities, interests, and goals. You may also be asked specific questions about the IB DP program and your understanding of its requirements and expectations.

Q2: How can I prepare for an IBDP school interview?

A: To prepare for an IBDP school interview, you should review the school’s website and literature to familiarize yourself with its academic programs and values. You may also want to practice answering common interview questions and prepare examples of your achievements and experiences.

Q3: What are some examples of questions that may be asked about the IBDP program?

A: Examples of questions that may be asked about the IBDP program include what motivated you to pursue the program, what you hope to gain from the program, how you plan to balance the demands of the program with other commitments, and what subjects you are interested in studying.

Q4: How important are interview questions in the admissions process for IBDP schools?

A: Interview questions are just one factor considered in the admissions process for IBDP schools. Admissions decisions are based on a holistic review of each applicant’s entire application, which includes academic performance, extracurricular activities, essays, and more.

Q5: Can the interview questions for IBDP schools vary from school to school?

A: Yes, the interview questions for IBDP schools can vary depending on the school’s specific requirements and values. It’s important to research each school’s interview process and prepare accordingly.

Further Reading:

ibo.org