What Is Academic Misconduct in the IB Diploma Programme?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) defines academic misconduct as any behavior that results in, or may result in, a student gaining an unfair advantage in assessments. This includes a wide range of actions, intentional or unintentional, that breach academic integrity policies.
The IB takes academic honesty seriously because it’s a cornerstone of the program’s values. Whether it’s plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, or the use of AI tools to generate work, misconduct can carry serious consequences, including the denial of the diploma.
Examples of Academic Misconduct in IB
Understanding what counts as misconduct helps students avoid unintentional violations. Common examples include:
🔍 Plagiarism
- Copying text, ideas, or data without proper citation
- Using someone else’s IA, EE, or TOK essay
🤝 Collusion
- Unauthorized collaboration on individual assessments
- Sharing answers or working together on tasks meant to be done independently
📝 Cheating During Exams
- Possessing unauthorized materials in the exam room
- Communicating with others during the exam
- Using calculators with unapproved memory
🤖 AI-Generated Content
- Submitting content written by ChatGPT or similar tools without proper acknowledgment
- Using AI tools to paraphrase or "rewrite" essays deceptively
🧪 Data Fabrication or Manipulation
- Faking results in science experiments or projects
- Altering data to fit a desired conclusion
How the IB Detects and Investigates Misconduct
The IB employs multiple layers of review and technology to catch academic misconduct:
- Turnitin and other plagiarism detection software are used for EEs and IAs
- Examiners are trained to spot suspicious patterns or inconsistencies
- Schools must report suspected cases with supporting evidence
- The IB may request additional documentation or statements from the student
Students are usually notified through their school and have the opportunity to provide a response or explanation during the investigation.
Immediate Consequences for Suspected Misconduct
When a suspicion is raised:
- IB may withhold grades for the affected subject until the case is resolved
- The school and IB coordinator are notified
- The student is given a chance to respond in writing or during an inquiry
If misconduct is proven, the outcome depends on the severity and nature of the violation.
Official Penalties for Proven Academic Misconduct
Penalties can be harsh, even for first-time offenders:
Academic Integrity Infractions and Potential Penalties (IB)
- Minor Infraction (e.g., improper citation)
- Potential Penalty: Warning or grade penalty
- Moderate Infraction (e.g., copied Internal Assessment)
- Potential Penalty: Zero marks for that component
- Serious Infraction (e.g., exam cheating or AI-generated submission)
- Potential Penalty: No grade awarded for the subject or full diploma may be withheld
- Repeated Offenses
- Potential Penalty: Permanent disqualification from the IB Diploma Programme
The IB may also place a notation on the candidate's record, which could be disclosed to universities.
Can Students Appeal Misconduct Decisions?
Yes, students can appeal.
🧾 IB Appeals Process:
- Must be initiated by the school coordinator
- Must include evidence and a written statement from the student
- Appeals are reviewed by IB academic staff and may take several weeks
While not all appeals succeed, students can overturn a decision if they prove the violation was a misunderstanding or procedural error.
How Academic Misconduct Affects University Admissions
Academic dishonesty doesn’t end with the IB.
If reported:
- Universities may withdraw conditional offers
- Students may be blacklisted from future applications
- Misconduct records can appear in school transcripts or counselor reports
Many top institutions ask schools to disclose any academic misconduct in reference letters or school profiles.
Recent Cases and Trends in IB Misconduct
From 2023 to 2025, IB saw:
- A rise in AI-generated submissions, leading to updated guidance on ethical AI use
- Paper leaks on platforms like Telegram, prompting increased security and exam versions
- Stricter enforcement on calculator memory usage and time zone violations
The IB has responded by updating its Academic Integrity Policy, training examiners on AI detection, and deploying digital monitoring tools.
How to Avoid Academic Misconduct in the IB
✅ Best Practices:
- Always cite your sources using APA or MLA formats
- Use tools like Turnitin to pre-check for unintentional plagiarism
- Don’t collaborate unless your teacher explicitly allows it
- Use AI ethically—for research or idea generation, not writing your assignment
- Back up your data and keep drafts to show progress
- Ask your teacher if you’re unsure about citation or use of external tools
Academic integrity is about building trust, not just following rules.
FAQs About Academic Misconduct Penalties in IB
Q1: What happens if I accidentally plagiarize?
A: Minor cases may result in a warning, but repeated or significant issues can lead to disqualification from the diploma.
Q2: Can I use ChatGPT or other AI tools for IB work?
A: Yes—but only for brainstorming or research. If you use AI-generated text, you must acknowledge it and cite it.
Q3: Will I lose my IB diploma if I cheat once?
A: It depends on the severity. Serious misconduct can result in no diploma, even if only one component is affected.
Q4: Can universities find out about IB misconduct?
A: Yes. Schools and the IB may report it, especially if offers have been made based on predicted grades.
Q5: How long does the IB investigation process take?
A: Usually a few weeks, depending on complexity and appeals.
Q6: Can I resit an exam if I’m disqualified due to misconduct?
A: Not usually. Students found guilty of serious misconduct are often barred from retaking that exam session.
