<p>My counselor told me that in Common app, there are only questions like "how many IB courses are available in your school" and " whats the max number of courses a student can take". But it never mentions what courses specifically are available or whether the courses offered are higher level or standard level. So how do the colleges know?</p>
<p>Many schools send a school profile with the Secondary School Report which may list the highest class options available in each subject. An example is here:</p>
<p><a href=“Sample High School Profile – Counselors | College Board”>http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/counseling/profile/sample</a></p>
<p>Alternatively, if the adcom chooses to delve more deeply, s/he can always go to the school website. At most universities, adcoms are assigned by region, so for at least the HS’s that send several students to that uni, the adcom is probably familiar with the course offerings.</p>
<p>I believe every HS is required to send along a school profile along with the transcript so the college will know how to interpret your school record.</p>