what is an ap/ib course mean

Which is better AP or IB courses?

Dec 18, 2020 · To sum up, the AP program is American based and provides courses that high school students can take for college. The IB course is international based and provides an integrated approach to learning. The biggest difference between AP and IB is that AP is more popular and useful for an American high school student.

Which is better AP or IB?

Sep 23, 2021 · Given that both AP and IB courses are considered more rigorous than their regular or honors counterparts, they are typically weighted more heavily in students’ GPA’s. Both IB and AP courses generally will give students an extra grade point, meaning that an “A” in an AP or IB course would be a 5.0 rather than a 4.0. Exams

Is IB better than AP?

The IB program has been described by advocates to be a holistic, inter-disciplinary approach to a student's education. Alongside IB programs is the Advanced Placement program (AP), which has gained speed in America in the past decade. The College Board, a non-profit organization based in New York, started the AP program in 1955.

Is IB more difficult than AP?

The AP program and IB certificate program are more flexible, allowing a student to take AP or IB courses in the subjects which interest them. It is possible to take an IB course in some subject areas and take (and do well on) the AP exam in the same subject area (IB teachers will help students decide if they should take the AP exam for a particular subject).

What does AP stand for in college?

By way of reminder, AP stands for Advanced Placement; CP means College Preparatory; finally, IB is the acronym for International Baccalaureate.

What is IB program?

The IB program has been described by advocates to be a holistic, inter-disciplinary approach to a student's education. Alongside IB programs is the Advanced Placement program (AP), which has gained speed in America in the past decade.

What does AP stand for in education?

By way of reminder, AP stands for Advanced Placement ; CP means College Preparatory; finally, IB is the acronym for International Baccalaureate.#N#To start, there are 93 schools in the state of Colorado that use the IB primary, middle, and high school programs, but what does IB entail? The International Baccalaureate program began in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland, and it was intended to produce highly educated, cosmopolitan students from children, whose parents were involved in diplomacy, international and multi-national organizations. Needless to say, the course work is rigorous and accelerated in comparison to typical courses for the same age groups. The IB program has been described by advocates to be a holistic, inter-disciplinary approach to a student's education.#N#Alongside IB programs is the Advanced Placement program (AP), which has gained speed in America in the past decade. The College Board, a non-profit organization based in New York, started the AP program in 1955. The idea behind AP courses is to present college level concepts and course work to high school students and then test them at the end of their courses, using a 1-5 grading scale. American colleges will often grant course credit and placement for AP courses in which students scored 3 or higher.#N#Although some people refer to AP as CP courses, they are not always the same. College preparatory (CP) courses contain a larger than typical course load and prepare students for college caliber work. They do not, however, provide college course credit like AP courses might.#N#It is usually the ambitious and highly motivated parents and students, who seek these programs out, but of course these programs have their opponents, who either maintain that they are ineffectual or that they overwork students or both. Only you as the parent and student can decide which organization or program best suits you and your academic goals.

When did AP start?

The College Board, a non-profit organization based in New York, started the AP program in 1955. The idea behind AP courses is to present college level concepts and course work to high school students and then test them at the end of their courses, using a 1-5 grading scale.

When did the International Baccalaureate start?

The International Baccalaureate program began in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland, and it was intended to produce highly educated, cosmopolitan students from children, whose parents were involved in diplomacy, international and multi-national organizations.

What is AP course?

AP courses follow a curriculum mandated by the College Board. Exams and papers during the year are prepared and graded by B-CC teachers. Registration for AP exams takes place in the winter. AP exams prepared by the College Board are given in May, and are graded by the College Board on a 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the highest.

What is IB class?

IB classes follow a curriculum mandated by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) in Cardiff, Wales. IB courses include papers and IB exams graded by B-CC teachers (known as internal assessments) and papers and IB exams graded by IB external assessors. IB final exams are given in May and are graded on a 1 to 7 scale, ...

How long is an IB diploma?

Students can take individual IB classes and earn a certificate of completion for each class (with a score of 4 or higher) or can be IB diploma students, which is a 2-year program for juniors and seniors. Students who decide to pursue an IB diploma must complete a specific set of courses, the Theory of Knowledge course, a 4,000 word Extended Essay, ...

What is the difference between IB and AP?

IB focuses on learning subjects deeply within the context of an interdisciplinary curriculum, while AP is more fast-paced and encourages students to learn as much as possible in a subject in a short amount of time.

What is an IB class?

IB classes are interdisciplinary and connect learning across the curriculum. The IB program is a liberal arts approach to education. Students must study two languages, math, science, individuals and societies, and the arts. There is both depth and breadth.

Why is IB important?

Because the IB is taught much more like a college or university class, some schools believe that the IB offers a more seamless transition to higher education. Further, an IB diploma stands out because a student has had in-depth study in all types of subjects, not just the ones in which a student is “strong.”.

What are the advantages of IB?

Advantages of IB. The IB program is not solely about academics; it also challenges students to enhance their personal growth. IB aspires to help schools develop well-rounded students with strong character and a global mindset.

What does IB mean in school?

IB students often indicate that they have gained excellent time-management skills and other critical attitudes needed for academic and personal success . The IB program increases understanding of languages and cultures and explores globally significant ideas and issues in each subject area.

When are AP exams given?

These are either externally assessed or marked by teachers and then moderated by the IB. For AP, the exams are given at the end of the year as the culmination of a yearlong course.

What are the core courses required for IB?

A unique part of the IB program is the requirement of three core courses for full diploma status: the theory of knowledge (TOK) course, the extended essay (EE) research project, and the creativity, action and service (CAS) component.

What is an IB diploma?

The IB Diploma Program can foster community among bright and motivated students: often students end up taking many of the same courses.

What are the subjects of IB?

Students working toward an IB diploma must study across six subject groups—language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts— and a “core” set of disciplinary approaches— theory of knowledge (TOK), creativity, activity, service (CAS) and the extended essay.

What is 30 for 30?

The University of California system has a “30 for 30” policy: if a student earns a score of 30 or above on the IB diploma, they’re awarded 20 semester units (the equivalent of 30 quarter units) towards their UC degree (other schools like CUNY and Oregon State University also have 30 for 30 policies).

How much does it cost to take an AP exam?

Students pay $94 to take an AP exam, according to College Board, whereas, students pay a $119 per subject exam fee, for the IB program. Your child can take AP exams without being enrolled in an AP class, whereas to take an IB exam they must be enrolled in an IB course. AP doesn’t have a holistic program as IB does.

When did IB start?

The IB program launched in the United States in 1971, but began in Geneva in 1968. It’s an international program, with a focus on global education, meant to create students who can function in a globalized society.

Who is Shirag Shemmassian?

Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on college admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.

What is the IB curriculum?

The IB curriculum has a heavy focus on critical thinking across disciplines, as well as on writing. These skills are very helpful for college-bound students, and may impress admissions officers. IB exams emphasize essay-style answers rather than multiple-choice bubbles; the 4,000 word research essay required to complete the diploma also exposes students to extended writing.

How many courses do I need to get an IB?

To get an IB diploma, you have to take at least three higher-level courses . AP courses are offered at a single level, though there are certain subjects, such as calculus and physics, that have different course options. IB higher level is, at some high schools, considered harder than AP.

How many AP classes can I take?

Students could take just one or even a dozen AP classes, depending on their school, schedule, and goals.

When will the AP test be held in 2021?

Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, 2021 AP tests will now be held over three different sessions between May and June. Meanwhile, IB assessments for May 2021 will have two routes, exam and non-exam, depending on which your school chooses.

How many students took IB in 2019?

The IB program is far less common than AP. More than 2.8 million students took AP exams in 2019, but only about 166,000 took IBs. Furthermore, AP reported in 2014 that over 30% of US public high students took at least one AP exam.

Is IB harder than AP?

IB higher level is, at some high schools, considered harder than AP. Most college s give credit for AP exams and higher-level IB exams, but not all give credit for standard-level IB exams. You can search the AP credit policy of various colleges at the AP college database.

How much does an AP exam cost?

Whereas there is a $119 fee per IB exam, AP tests cost $94 per exam for students at schools in the US, US territories, or Canada, and $124 per exam for all other students. However, many schools have financial aid and fee-waiver programs for AP exams, so your actual cost could be lower.

Can I take AP and IB?

If your high school has both, you can take a mix. Since IB is a diploma program and AP is not, if you're going for the most selective schools , it's smart to pursue the IB diploma if it's offered at your school. If you don't, you technically haven't taken the most challenging courses available to you.

What is the difference between IB and AP?

IB exams contain more writing and application of ideas , whereas APs are more about proving what you know. This is why AP exams have more multiple choice, while the IB exams feature more short-response questions, essays, and case studies .

What is an IB?

An Overview. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program was designed in Switzerland in the 1960s. Its purpose was to give students around the world a chance to earn a rigorous, internationally recognized diploma, which they could then use for entry into universities.

What is an IB in high school?

International Baccalaureate (IB) One factor some students consider when choosing a high school is whether it has an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Often compared with the Advanced Placement (AP) program, the IB program allows students to take college-level courses while in high school. So what is International Baccalaureate?

What are the benefits of IB?

One of the chief benefits of the IB program is that it provides academic preparation for college. IB courses are known for being interdisciplinary, requiring a good deal of independent thinking, and assigning oral presentations and original research —all characteristics of college courses.

How many hours of SL are required for IB?

Higher Level courses are more challenging—IB recommends a minimum of 240 hours of instructional time for HL courses, and 150 hours for SL courses. Some schools handle the HL requirements by having students take the SL or AP version of a course first and the HL version second, thereby forming a two-year sequence.

When is the IB exam?

IB exams are given in May (or November for southern hemisphere schools). They have two parts: an external assessment and an internal assessment. The external assessment is the more traditional exam portion and consists of two or three "papers," typically done on the same day or a few days in a row.

Will IB exams be non-exams in 2021?

Because of the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, May 2021 IB assessments will have two routes, exam and non-exam, depending on which your school chooses. Stay up to date with the latest information on what this means for IB diplomas, course credit for IB classes, and more with our 2021 IB COVID-19 FAQ article.

What is the difference between AP and IB?

Alexandra Pannoni says, “AP courses tend to focus intensively on a particular subject, while IB courses take a more holistic approach.”. AP classes deeply examine an issue from multiple perspectives. In an IB class, you might be looking at the same issue, but may scrutinize its long-term implications from a global perspective.

What is AP class?

AP classes are usually taught at a college level. AP classes reinforce your choice of major and/or minor. High scores on tests demonstrate advanced skills in your subject of interest. Because the schedule is so rigorous, it usually impresses college admissions professionals.

What are the requirements for IB?

Here are some FYIs and benefits regarding the IB curriculum: 1 Community service and a research paper are IB program requirements. 2 High schoolers can take a standard set of courses and corresponding assessments during the IB program. 3 IB programs are offered in English, French, and Spanish. 4 IB students can earn an IB diploma, which is recognized by universities and colleges worldwide. 5 IB’s global educational philosophy works well for international students. 6 If you’re not interested in the IB diploma program, you can pick and choose IB courses just like students in the AP program.

What is an IB program?

International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are designed for students up to age 19, and they focus on fostering independent, critical-thinking skills. IB curricula are available in 5,000 schools and over 150 countries globally. AP (Advanced Placement) was developed in North America by U.S. and Canadian college boards.

What is an IB diploma?

IB programs are offered in English, French, and Spanish. IB students can earn an IB diploma, which is recognized by universities and colleges worldwide. IB’s global educational philosophy works well for international students.

What is AP in high school?

AP (Advanced Placement) was developed in North America by U.S. and Canadian college boards. It has long been the established standard for U.S. high school students wanting more academically challenging courses than standard curricula. More than 100 countries now offer AP courses and exams.

Who said if you take an AP class because it's AP, you should reconsider taking it?

Stanford alumnus Halle Edwards says, “If you’re taking an AP class just because it's AP, you should reconsider taking it.” Too many things can go wrong when you don’t have a real interest in the course subject, not the least of which is a low grade can trash your GPA (grade point average). AP program and course FYIs (for your information) and benefits include: