<p>This is bull. I did both programs, and was ranked 7th in all of IB, after I switched schools, and 10th in AP (rest of school), before I switched. IB kids are cocky as hell, that's why you keep getting this whole "IB is better". They're in a closed community, so they're much closer to each other than AP kids usually are. </p>
<p>Honestly? They're both really the same. IB usually involves different types of work (like CAS hours) outside of academia. One is not better than the other. It's up to you. Do you want to tell people you have your IB diploma (when half the time they don't even know what the hell you're talking about), or do you want to tell people you have your HS Diploma and got 4s, 5s...or 1s and 2s, whatever. If you are so gung-ho about one being harder than the other, that does not mean that it's also better.</p>
<p>I'd have to disagree that the two programs are anything alike. IB is more about analyzation than memorizing and regurgitating facts, like AP classes are. As a result, the IB program is far more difficult. I can say this from the perspective of having been in both programs.</p>
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I think people should try IB before cutting it down. it's definitely harder than AP as an overall program.
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We might, but the IB people seem to have specifically tried to eliminate this possibility. </p>
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But it's way harder to get 6/7 on the exam, which is pretty much what you need to get credit in college. (AP, you only have to get 4/5) Sure it's rigorous, but some kids applying to American unis actually regretted it.
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<p>I'm not even going to dignify this lack of logic with a response.</p>
<p>For those pro-IBers saying that IB is better simply because it is harder, you cannot make that argument. First of all, it's not always true. IB is not always harder than AP, because that definitely depends on which classes you take. If you take 3 HLs with SL history and some easy IB classes, then you're going to have a lighter courseload than someone who is taking 6 and 7 APs, and actually, my hardest class this year is AP Spanish. Personally, my IB schedule is tougher than those of many AP students that I know. This is not the case for every IB student though. Secondly, just because it is harder doesn't mean that it is better.</p>
<p>My opinion, and I can provide an unbiased opinion because I have taken several AP classes in addition to IB (AP World, AP Calc BC, AP Geo, AP Spanish), is that IB is more useful in the long run than AP. Both are equally impressive in the eyes of college admissions, both provide college credit, etc. But AP tends to teach the more direct knowledge that is going to help you pass the AP exam in May. Everything that is done in the course is geared towards test preparation in some way. There's nothing wrong with this, I just don't see it being as useful. IB is more about creative and critical thinking skills. The tests for example tend to be more writing-oriented and open-ended than the multiple choice AP tests. The ToK and EE are a sort of out-of-the-box interesting way to do things. The IB approach is going to be extremely helpful once I get into college and even beyond. Of course, you may love the AP approach and it may help you greatly. But this is how I feel.</p>
<p>@Easton722: How can you argue that someone wouldn't want to do IB just because "half the time [people] don't even know what the hell you're talking about"? Let me tell you something; if you're choosing classes so that you can impress somebody, you're going about this all wrong.</p>
<p>In AP, instructors have to teach to a test, which is asinine. The essay writing is also terribly formulaic. In IB, I get the feeling there is more freedom, more room for diversity, and overall better preparation for college. I think I'll switch to IB junior year.</p>
<p>What exactly is IB? What is the difference between it and AP? How do they approach subjects differently/how are students selected for them? </p>
<p>I guess my high school is stupid as we only have AP classes in lieu of the much easier honors classes and plain old regular classes. From what I've read I want to take IB! But my school is behind in many aspects, we have very few smart boards in the school and we don't even have AP Psych or AP Econ and the sort, just AP Calc, Lang. Arts, Bio, Chem, Gov and Politics, Spanish, French, U.S. History, and a new one this year: Computer Science. <em>sigh</em> Stupid Midwestern suburban high schools.</p>
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IB kids are cocky as hell, that's why you keep getting this whole "IB is better". They're in a closed community, so they're much closer to each other than AP kids usually are.
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I have to agree, and that's hat I love about it. anyone can take AP, but IB is just this whole community of overachievers and it's really great having a support system to inceasently b*tch over every single internal assesment. </p>
<p>From everyone I've ever talked to, IB prepares you much better for college. Everyone I know who's done IB said it's way harder than college (even people at UC Berkeley & other top schools). Personally though, I don't feel like I've been learning much this year. I'm a senior taking 4 HLs (Math, Hist. of Americas, English, Drama) and it's basically everything we learned last year plus the format of the tests. This is the same for APs too, however, but with IB I feel the teachers I've had have been more dedicated and they cover the topics more in depth. </p>
<p>APs get more credit in college, but if you're an IB diploma candidate that'll have more weight because it's proof you're more "well-rounded" and prepared for college. Stuff like the Extended Essay is stuff they do in college all the time, and if you did IB, you've already had a taste of it.</p>
<p>I think IB tends to be the same everywhere, while AP varies more. There are a lot of AP teachers who require essays much longer than 4,000 words that are not rote but that express novel ideas, but the College Board doesn't require or want that to some extent.
Obviously a full IB course load is harder than taking 1 AP a year, but most AP students on CC are taking a ton annually, and a lot are self studying for even more.</p>
<p>I know this has been brought up in a past IB vs. AP thread but a study found by UF found that on average AP kids had a gpa of 3.12 and IB kids had a gpa of 3.10. That shows that the programs are pretty much tied when it comes to preparing kids for college. I personally like AP classes better, however, the fact that IB kids seek a diploma makes the program much more appealing to me. In short, I don't think there is a clear winner in this debate...</p>
<p>There will never be a winner because you could strongly argue for both sides. And that's good! Both programs are prestigious and both have their ups and downs; it makes for healthy debate.</p>
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In AP, instructors have to teach to a test, which is asinine. The essay writing is also terribly formulaic.
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<p>I don't see ANY parallels to other tests. <em>cough</em> SAT <em>cough</em> Who cares if you're teaching to a test? Most other high school classes are taught according to a specific curriculum (state mandated or otherwise), which is just as bad and favors getting through the material over actually thinking and asking questions.</p>
<p>Whoever said that IB is harder because it's more about analyzation, etc whereas AP is about memorization I must disagree. Memorization, at least for me, is far more difficult than analyzation. Now, if it's true that IB stresses that (my school only offers AP) I would think it would be much more practical and intellectual, but easier in terms of studying and hours put in outside of school and I would probably enjoy it much more.</p>
<p>AP will look impressive. AP may get you credit. IB is harder. It will often get you jack.</p>
<p>This is something that anyone applying to an IB program needs to know: IB will prepare you to attend some of the best universities in the world. It will do nothing to help get you in.</p>
<p>AP classes are specifically designed to be college-level courses. IB was designed to be a college-readiness program that had to adhere to the highest levels of rigor internationally, and focused on building critical-thinking and analytical skills…as someone once stated…</p>
<p>this is true…IB’s focus is to make the student a well rounded person…thats why you have to take various classes but only higer level in 3 of the classes…</p>
<p>take myself for instance I may not excel in every subject but if asked I could talk on various topics…including psych,geo,spanish,eng,bio etc. etc…in a way im like a professional BSer/ a jack of all trades…</p>
<p>also I was able to take the AP test along with my IB test because if you take an IB class you are prepared for the Ap test as well</p>
<p>It’s irrelevant. We’re not gonna use 90% of the garbage they teach outside of our eventual fields anyway. Neither is better, it’s more of a matter of how much extra work you wanna do…And IB wins in that category.</p>
<p>Per my experience, I have to give this to IB.
The AP classes I have taken as of current, were unfulfilling. All I did was use rote memorization, which is quite easy imo. The AP Exam comes and my teacher taught us exactly to that test. Easy *<strong><em>. The FRQ was a joke. Easier *</em></strong>.</p>
<p>And the point regarding subject areas, get on IB’s level. We have more foreign languages than you will ever have. We have a IB exam for every AP Exam there is, and more. </p>
<p>IB to me, requires more than just memorization of facts. It’s application, it’s using those skills in a global context.</p>
<p>Also, AP and the AP exam as I’ve experienced are the products of an American system, one which clearly teaches to the test.</p>