IB candidates take special pre-IB courses in grades 9 and 10 in preparation for the challenging IB Diploma Program in grades 11 and 12. Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of six IB subject groups. At least three and not more than four subjects are taken at what IB refers to as the higher level (HL); the remainder are taken at what is called the standard level (SL). This is similar to having majors and minors. An IB world school must offer one or more courses from each of the six IB subject areas:

• Language A1 - first language, including the study of selections from world literature.
• Language A2, B, ab initio - a second modern language.
• Individuals and Societies - history, geography, economics, philosophy, psychology, social anthropology, business and organization, information technology in a global society, history of the Islamic world.
• Experimental Sciences - biology, chemistry, physics, environmental systems, design technology.
• Mathematics - mathematical studies, mathematical methods, mathematics HL, advanced mathematics HL.
• Arts and Electives – visual arts, music, theatre arts, classical Greek, computer science, a third modern language, a second social studies subject, a second science course, advanced mathematics SL, a school-based syllabus approved by the IBO.