The Ultimate MYP Guide: Subjects, Skills and Assessment

A clear grasp of the MYP grading scale, curriculum structure, and assessment system is essential for families exploring international education. The IB Middle Years Programme, often called the MYP, supports students at a key stage of development by combining academic learning with practical skills, global awareness, and structured assessment, while preparing them for future pathways such as the IB Diploma Programme.

Introduction to the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

The Middle Years Programme sits at the heart of the International Baccalaureate continuum. It supports students as they move from childhood into adolescence and helps them develop strong learning habits, independence, and confidence. This section introduces the programme’s purpose and explains how it fits into international education systems worldwide.

What Is the MYP Program?

The IB Middle Years Programme is designed for students aged 11 to 16. It typically runs from Year 7 to Year 11, though schools may offer shorter versions depending on their structure. The MYP programme focuses on:

Conceptual understanding rather than memorisation. Students focus on grasping big ideas and applying them in different contexts instead of learning facts by rote.
Connections between subjects and real life. Learning is linked across subject areas and related to real-world situations, making it more meaningful and relevant.
Skill development alongside academic knowledge. Equal emphasis is placed on thinking, communication, and organisational skills as well as subject content.
International mindedness and personal growth. Students develop cultural awareness, empathy, and a sense of responsibility as global learners.

Students learn through inquiry, projects, collaboration, and reflection. This approach helps them apply ideas across subjects and understand how learning relates to the world beyond school.

MYP Curriculum Structure

The MYP curriculum is carefully designed to balance academic breadth with depth. Students study a wide range of subjects while developing transferable skills that support long-term success.

MYP Years and Age Ranges

The MYP programme usually spans five years, although some schools may offer shorter versions depending on their structure. In general, the progression looks like this:

Ages 11 to 12: Early secondary years focused on exploration, curiosity, and the development of core learning skills across all subject areas.
Ages 13 to 14: A stronger emphasis on conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and growing independence in learning and organisation.
Ages 15 to 16: Preparation for future programmes through extended tasks, more complex assessments, and increased responsibility for independent work.

This step-by-step structure helps students build confidence and resilience before moving on to more academically demanding programmes such as the IB Diploma.

Interdisciplinary Learning in the MYP

A defining feature of the MYP is interdisciplinary learning. Students regularly explore topics that draw on knowledge and skills from more than one subject, helping them see how ideas connect across different areas of the curriculum.

These units encourage students to see connections between subjects, apply learning in meaningful contexts, develop flexible thinking, and tackle complex issues from multiple perspectives. This approach reflects how knowledge works in real life and supports deeper, more lasting understanding.

Overall, the MYP curriculum structure supports steady progress, skill development, and readiness for future learning.

MYP Subject Groups Explained

The MYP includes eight subject groups. Each group develops subject knowledge alongside shared skills such as thinking, communication, and self-management.

Language and Literature

Language and Literature develops reading, writing, speaking, and critical analysis skills through engagement with texts from different cultures, historical periods, and media. Students learn to analyse language and meaning, express ideas clearly, develop personal responses to texts, and communicate with confidence, with assessment focusing on analysis, organisation, written work, and accurate language use.

Language Acquisition

Language Acquisition supports students in learning an additional language such as French, German, or Spanish. Students build listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills, develop cultural understanding, and gain confidence using the language in real-life contexts, with progress measured through clear communication-focused criteria.

Individuals and Societies

This subject group includes history, geography, economics, and business studies, helping students understand how societies function. Students analyse cause and consequence, evaluate sources and perspectives, and communicate structured arguments while exploring social, political, and economic systems.

Sciences

Science in the MYP encourages curiosity through hands-on investigation in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Students develop scientific understanding, practise designing investigations and analysing data, and reflect on the impact of science in real-world contexts such as sustainability and ethics.

Mathematics

MYP Mathematics strengthens logical thinking and problem-solving by exploring number, algebra, geometry, functions, and statistics. Assessment focuses on understanding concepts, investigating patterns, communicating ideas clearly, and applying mathematics in real-life situations.

Arts

The Arts subject group includes visual arts, drama, music, and other creative disciplines, helping students develop creative thinking and expression, build technical skills within their chosen art forms, reflect thoughtfully on artistic processes, and deepen cultural awareness, while also supporting confidence, resilience, and personal expression.

Physical and Health Education (PHE)

Physical and Health Education focuses on physical activity, health, and well-being. Students develop fitness, teamwork, and healthy lifestyle habits while reflecting on personal performance and growth.

Design

Design develops creative problem-solving through the design cycle, guiding students to investigate problems, develop ideas, create solutions, and evaluate outcomes. Projects often involve digital tools, product design, and practical challenges that build planning and problem-solving skills.

The MYP subject groups offer a balanced foundation that connects academic learning with practical skills.

Key Skills Developed in the MYP

The MYP places strong emphasis on skill development. These skills support learning across all subjects and prepare students for future education and life beyond school.

Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills

Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills are central to the MYP curriculum, helping students learn how to learn by developing thinking, communication, research, social, and self-management skills across all subjects, which builds independence, confidence, and effective study habits over time.

Research, Thinking, and Communication Skills

Research and thinking skills are developed through inquiry-based tasks and projects that teach students to ask meaningful questions, analyse information critically, use evidence to support ideas, and present findings clearly. At the same time, communication skills improve through regular discussion, presentations, writing tasks, and collaborative work across subjects.

Self-Management and Collaboration

The MYP encourages students to take responsibility for their learning by developing time management and organisation, goal setting and reflection, collaboration and teamwork, and resilience and adaptability. Together, these skills support academic success while helping students grow in confidence and independence.

The key skills developed in the MYP help students become confident, independent learners who are well prepared for future academic challenges.

Assessment in the MYP

Assessment in the MYP is designed to support learning rather than focus solely on exams. It values understanding, skill development, and progress over time.

Criterion-Referenced Assessment

All MYP assessment is criterion-referenced, meaning students are measured against fixed standards rather than compared to one another. Each subject uses four assessment criteria, labelled A to D, which describe what students should know and be able to do, and teachers use these criteria to design assessment tasks, provide feedback, track progress, and assign achievement levels, ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the programme.

Subject-Specific Assessment Criteria

Each subject group has its own set of assessment criteria, but they follow a shared structure that typically focuses on knowing and understanding, investigating or analysing, communicating, and applying skills or reflecting. These criteria remain consistent across year levels, which helps students understand expectations clearly and track their progress over time.

Formative vs Summative Assessment

The MYP uses both formative and summative assessment to support meaningful learning.

Formative assessment helps students improve during the learning process through regular feedback, drafts, discussions, and practice tasks that guide progress and reflection.
Summative assessment evaluates learning at the end of a unit and may include projects, presentations, tests, or portfolios that demonstrate understanding.

MYP assessment focuses on helping students develop understanding and skills through clear criteria and ongoing feedback, rather than relying on high-stakes exams.

MYP Grading and Achievement Levels

Knowing the MYP grading scale helps students and parents interpret progress and results accurately.

Understanding the 1–7 MYP Grading Scale

Schools use achievement levels from 1 to 8 for each criterion. These levels are then combined to produce a final subject grade from 1 to 7. In general:

Grades 1 to 2 indicate limited achievement
Grades 3 to 4 reflect developing understanding
Grades 5 to 6 show strong performance
Grade 7 represents consistent excellence

The MYP grading scale focuses on achievement, not ranking.

How Criterion Scores Are Calculated

Each subject has four criteria scored from 0 to 8. The scores are added to produce a total out of 32. That total is then converted into a final grade from 1 to 7 using published grade boundaries. This system rewards balanced performance across different skills rather than reliance on a single exam.

What MYP Grades Mean for Students and Parents

MYP grades provide clear feedback on strengths and areas for improvement, helping students understand expectations, set learning goals, and reflect on their progress, while also giving parents valuable insight into skill development and readiness for future academic challenges.

MYP grading and achievement levels offer a clear, fair picture of student progress by focusing on skills, understanding, and consistent development over time.

How the MYP Prepares Students for the IB Diploma Programme

The MYP provides a strong foundation for students who continue to the IB Diploma Programme.

Academic Skills Required for IB DP Success

The MYP develops skills essential for diploma-level study, including research and referencing, extended writing, critical thinking, and independent learning. Through regular use of assessment criteria and reflection, students build the habits and academic confidence needed for success in the Diploma Programme.

Transition from MYP to IB Diploma

Students who complete the MYP often adapt smoothly to the Diploma Programme because they are already used to managing workload, reflecting on their learning, and connecting concepts across subjects, which helps reduce stress during the transition.

Advantages of Completing the Full MYP

Completing the full MYP supports consistent skill development, strong preparation for exams and coursework, confidence in academic expectations, and a clear understanding of assessment systems, all of which contribute to long-term success in education and beyond.

The MYP builds the skills, confidence, and learning habits students need to transition smoothly into the IB Diploma Programme.

Thinking about the MYP or already enrolled and need expert support?

The MYP can be demanding, especially as students move into higher year levels where expectations increase. Support from experienced MYP tutors can help students strengthen study strategies, understand assessment criteria more clearly, and build confidence in managing coursework, projects, and exams.

For families seeking personalised guidance, TutorsPlus offers targeted MYP support tailored to each student’s needs. With expert tutors and structured academic support, students can improve subject understanding, prepare more effectively, and develop the skills needed to succeed in an international school environment. You can book a free trial at +41 22 731 8148 or to help your child succeed in the IB Middle Years Programme.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the MYP mandatory for the IB Diploma Programme?

The MYP is not mandatory. Students can enter the IB Diploma Programme without completing the MYP. However, completing the MYP often makes the transition smoother due to familiarity with IB expectations.

How is the MYP different from IGCSE?

The MYP focuses on concepts, skills, and inquiry rather than final exams. IGCSE programmes place greater emphasis on subject-specific exams and content mastery. Both pathways prepare students well, but they differ in structure and assessment style.

How are MYP assessments moderated?

Teachers assess student work using IB criteria. The Personal Project is externally validated by the IB. Schools may also participate in optional external eAssessment, which includes on-screen exams and moderated portfolios.

Can students join the MYP at any year level?

Yes, many schools accept students into the MYP at different stages. Support is usually provided to help new students understand assessment criteria, ATL skills, and programme expectations.