PICTURES

Sota's first cohort performs above national average in IB diploma exam

The first graduating cohort of the School of the Arts (Sota) have performed above national average in the recent International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma examination.

Sota students scored 38.4 points on average, higher than the Singapore average of 36.50 and global average of 30.01, the school announced on Monday.

A total of 80 Sota students took the exam in November. Three achieved the perfect score of 45 points.

There were 41 perfect scorers in Singapore. The bulk came from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) which produced 37 perfect scorers, and one from St Joseph's Institution International.

The strong showing made Singapore top - for the third year running - among countries in Asia-Pacific which took part in the exam.

There are 19 schools here which offer the IB programme, including international schools.

The IB programme is more broad-based than the A levels, requiring students to take six subjects and Theory of Knowledge, a course that combines philosophy, religion and logical reasoning. It is also compulsory to take a second language. In addition, students must undertake research, write a 4,000 word-essay and take part in a community-service project.

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