Getting a 45 in the IB is an extremely difficult task. Not only does it require extreme effort but a lot of help along the way. That being said, there are a number of students who reach this unreachable goal every year. Last year that number was 275 students, or 0.41% of candidates.
IB helped prepare me for college very well, particularly in the area of study skills. Many of my peers have no idea how to study or manage their time and I feel that IB gave me the knowledge to know how to time manage and study effectively. Absolutely! I actually felt IB was more challenging than college.
In terms of content, the IB tests much more specialized and advanced knowledge of specific subject areas, whereas the SAT/ACT focuses on the fundamentals. For example, the SAT/ACT might test a student on how to properly use semicolons, while IB English A classes mostly do not cover grammar.
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.
Research done by the University of South Florida states that IB students are more susceptible to being stressed under the higher-pressure academic environment, which also makes them more susceptible to mental health problems, lower levels of happiness, fewer friendships, and disengagement from school.
IB is one of the most demanding courses that one can attend for their high school.
Does Harvard prefer IB or AP courses? Harvard does not explicitly state a preference for IB or AP courses. To receive credit for IB classes, accepted students must earn an IB diploma. Incoming students must earn a score of 5 on at least four AP exams to earn college credit at Harvard.
The IB program is worth it for students who wish to earn a globally recognized diploma and get into selective universities. It's also for those who wish to have access to IB-specific scholarships and save up to 32 college credits. On the other hand, IB classes are hard and costly.
The key difference is that grades earned in more challenging courses—including honors, IB, and AP—receive a higher numerical value, which can potentially raise a student's overall GPA.
Visual arts rounds out our 'hardest' IB diploma. There is no large difference between the average scores in the most common arts subjects (Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts) but visual arts ended up with the lowest average score in 2019.
The following summary of research findings reflects how the IB helps prepare students for success by creating college- and career-ready global citizens: Among the findings: IB graduates are more likely to persist through college: A new research study conducted by Dr.
With the certain amount of higher level and standard level IB classes that need to be taken, it is almost impossible to take classes you actually want to take. The IB Diploma is a colossal waste of time and causes extreme unnecessary stress that disrupts your years as a teenager.