Strict Adherence to Stated Limits
Important Update from the IB
Although it may appear self-evident, a recent statement issued by the IB explicitly reminds all that assessment submissions must adhere strictly to the maximum specified limits. This clarification suggests that a stricter approach may be taken in the ensuing assessment periods and that examiners will emphatically enforce these limits, as outlined in the Music Guide. The following page serves as a reminder of all the stipulated limits for each component.
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Released on July 29, 2025 on ibo.org's Programme Resource Centre (PRC) as a new item was the following statement:
A reminder has been added to the Diploma Programme (DP) Music Guide (first assessment 2022) that all submissions for assessment must adhere to the maximum stated limits, and in the event (that)… stated limits are exceeded, examiners will only assess the work that falls within those prescribed limits.
Here is a reminder of all the word limits and timing limits (including number of bars) that are mentioned in the Music Guide:
Exploring Music in Context
- Written work: Document of maximum 2,400 words.
- Creating exercise: Score maximum 32 bars and/or audio 1 minute as appropriate to style
- Performed adaptation: Maximum 2 minutes.
Audio Reference Material: Maximum 3 minutes.
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Experimenting With Music
- Report: Written experimentation report that supports the experimentation (maximum 1,500 words)
Practical musical evidence: three related excerpts of creating (total maximum 5 minutes) and three related excerpts of performing (total maximum 5 minutes).
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Presenting Music
- Programme notes: (maximum 600 words)
- Composition and/or improvisation: (maximum 6 minutes)
- Solo and/or ensemble: (maximum 12 minutes)
- Excerpts, where applicable: (maximum 2 minutes)
Music Technology Performance only (maximum 12 minutes)
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The Contemporary Music Maker
- for higher-level students only
- Multimedia presentation: (maximum 15 minutes)
Final Product (curated if applicable; maximum 7 of 15 minutes of the multimedia presentation)
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