At a glance
- Ages
- 11 to 16, Grades 6 to 10
- Subject groups
- 8
- Marking
- Criteria A to D, each 0 to 8
- Final grade
- 1 to 7 per subject
- Final year
- Personal project
- External exams
- Optional eAssessment
What the MYP is
The MYP sits between the Primary Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. It is a curriculum framework rather than a fixed syllabus: the IB sets the subject groups, the assessment criteria and the key concepts, and each school writes its own units of work. Two MYP schools can teach different topics in the same grade while assessing the same skills.
KHDA's guide for Dubai parents describes the MYP as encouraging students in Grades 6 to 10 to think critically, take responsibility for their own learning and connect subjects to real life, through eight subject groups, at least one interdisciplinary unit each year, service as action, and a personal project in the final year.
The eight subject groups
| Subject group | What students usually study |
|---|---|
| Language and literature | English or Arabic as a first language: literature, analysis, writing |
| Language acquisition | An additional language, taught in phases by proficiency |
| Individuals and societies | History, geography, economics, business or integrated humanities |
| Sciences | Integrated science, or biology, chemistry and physics separately in later years |
| Mathematics | Standard or extended mathematics in the final years |
| Arts | Visual arts, music, drama or media |
| Physical and health education | Sport, fitness and health |
| Design | Digital and product design using the design cycle |
Schools in the Gulf also teach Arabic and Islamic Studies where local regulations require them.
How MYP marking works
Each subject group has four assessment criteria. Teachers judge a student's work against level descriptors, not a percentage.
| Step | What happens | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Criterion levels | Work is marked against criteria A, B, C and D (for example, in mathematics: knowing and understanding, investigating patterns, communicating, applying mathematics in real-life contexts) | 0 to 8 per criterion |
| Criterion total | The best-fit levels for the four criteria are added together | 0 to 32 |
| Final grade | The total is converted using IB grade boundaries | 1 to 7 |
Many schools report criterion levels on every task and a 1 to 7 grade at the end of each term or year.
The personal project and eAssessment
In the final year every MYP student completes a personal project: an independent piece of work on a topic they choose, with a product or outcome and a written report. It is assessed by the school against IB criteria and moderated by the IB, and it is a good rehearsal for the Diploma's Extended Essay.
eAssessment is the optional external part of the MYP. Students sit on-screen exams in subjects such as language and literature, mathematics, sciences and individuals and societies, and submit ePortfolios of coursework in others. Schools decide whether to enter students; those that do can award the IB MYP certificate to students who meet its requirements. Many Gulf IB schools use internal MYP assessment only and move students on to the Diploma or to IGCSE-style courses.
What parents often get wrong
- Reading a criterion level as a mark out of 8 that should be 8. A level 5 or 6 shows solid work; levels 7 and 8 describe excellent, sophisticated work.
- Ignoring the criterion breakdown. A student with a 6 overall may be weak on one criterion, such as communicating or evaluating, and that is the one to fix.
- Assuming the MYP is "easier" because there are fewer exams. Assessment is continuous, so a weak term counts.
- Leaving the move to the Diploma to Grade 10. Extended mathematics in the MYP is the best preparation for Maths Analysis and Approaches HL.
How one-to-one tutoring fits the MYP
Because MYP schools write their own units, a good tutor starts with the task sheet and the rubric the teacher has given. Lessons then teach the content of the unit and, just as importantly, show how to reach the higher levels of each criterion: how to justify a mathematical pattern, how to evaluate an experiment in sciences, or how to structure analysis in language and literature.
In Grades 9 and 10 a tutor can prepare students for eAssessment where the school uses it, or for the step up to the Diploma. LiveTutor lessons are one to one, 60 minutes, in our own online classroom with video and a shared whiteboard. Tell us the subject group and grade when you book, and we match a tutor who teaches the IB programme.
Common questions
What is a good MYP grade?
On the 1 to 7 scale, a 5 shows good work, a 6 very good and a 7 excellent. What matters more is the trend and which criteria hold the grade down.
Does my child need MYP eAssessment to start the IB Diploma?
No. Schools set their own entry requirements for the Diploma, usually based on MYP grades in the relevant subjects. eAssessment is optional and depends on the school.
What is the difference between standard and extended mathematics?
Extended mathematics adds harder content in the final years of the MYP, such as more algebra and functions. It is the better preparation for Maths Analysis and Approaches at Diploma level.
What is the personal project?
An independent final-year project on a topic the student chooses, with an outcome and a report. It is assessed by the school against IB criteria and moderated by the IB.
How much do MYP lessons cost with LiveTutor?
$15 a lesson for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons a week billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial, one per household.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.