<p>In my school, I think that if you are solely comparing the class curriculum and rigor, AP is slightly harder. I have taken both AP, IB, and combo classes, so I have a little experience with it all in my school. Classes designated as AP only have generally been my most challenging classes, combo classes have been fairly challenging, and surprisingly classes designated as IB only have been my least challenging - but that's not to say that they were easy. But with IB it's not really the class curriculum/rigor that kills you, but rather all of the extra diploma requirements that AP kids don't need to deal with. Having to balance hard classes with TOK essays, Group 4 science projects, Spanish and English orals and CAS hours is quite difficult, which is why I chose not to go for the diploma - I don't need quite that much stress in my life. </p>
<p>In my school at least, you can take the AP equivalent of all IB classes and get the same quality education because many are combo classes and the ones that aren't are often taught by the same teachers who teach the IB classes. Also, my school does not offer too many HL classes for IB, so I don't miss out on anything by taking AP chem or physics because there is no HL class offered for these. At my school at least, I truly think AP is the better way to go if you're looking soley for a quality education with no "regular" classes, because going for an IB diploma only gets you a slightly better education with much more work. But I do have to admit that everyone doing the diploma at my school will be better prepared for college than I will because of how much work they put into it. That's not to say I won't be prepared myself, but I would definetely say they have an advantage over me.</p>
<p>If you're looking to really challenge yourself in school, then IB is fine. You'll be in classes with some of the brightest kids in school, and you'll be well-prepared for college because you'll learn how to deal with an abundance of work and crazy deadlines. But if you're looking only for college credit, or just for a quality education without leading a hectic life your last 2 years of school, then AP is the way go. It all comes down to what you're looking for.</p>
<p>I took 3 AP's prior to junior year and have 2 senior year along with the full IB classes.</p>
<p>In terms of work and study time, my AP classes require about 1/3rd the amount of the IB classes of the same subject; the course material also is easier. My scores on the 2 ap tests I took were 5 and a 3 (in comp sci... self taught since the teacher didn't know java and wasted the entire year... crammed 1 month before the exam). </p>
<p>I know for a fact that my IB classes are FAR harder than my AP classes.</p>
<p>Note: I said "my." AP class difficulty depends on the teacher, but in terms of course grading IB is harder than AP. A 4 to a 5 in IB is the equivalent of a 5 in AP from what I have experienced. It is damn hard to get a 6+ in an IB course.</p>
<p>cool, interesting perspective.... i hope this thread hits highlighted posts on front page. none of the articles ive read ever compare closely ap vs ib, and even then its always only ap vs ib and not ap vs ib hl/sl</p>
<p>Sephiroth, too bad colleges don't agree with you! Most top colleges require a 6 or 7 on IB HL exams. They don't accept foreign language SL exams for reasons that continue to baffle me. I agree that you have to work a lot harder to get a passing grade on IB exams than AP exams, but 6's and 7's are certainly not impossible to get.</p>
<p>Might want to go IB credits, cause there has been talk about AP credits being either reduced or dropped, but hm.</p>
<p>I think the tests and learning is worth doing, but the money poured out and the **load of essays we have to write to **complete the IB program (for the full diploma) is totally not worth it. -_- But I'm a hypocrite cause I'm a 3rd quarter senior student still on track towards getting that full diploma.</p>
<p>But after all, after 3 and 3/4 years of toiling for IB, it would be a shame to NOT get the full diploma.</p>
<p>Would colleges/universities accept a student that did IB or one who took as many APs as he could? (With both students having similar stats.) So pretty much I'm asking should I take the IB course or take honors/AP?</p>
<p>My response, and I think an admissions officer's would be too, is to take the most rigorous courseload available. If you feel the IB program at your school is weak, go for AP. Likewise, if you feel IB is stronger, do the IB program and take AP courses on the side. Generally IB is considered more rigorous, but it varies from school to school. </p>
<p>I agree with ^^^ warblersrule. In my county, which consists of some very competitive schools, IB (the 7 year plan) is offered at a magnet school to everyone. Therefore, someone residing in the county, not enrolled in the IB program (although taking AP courses at thier h.s.) is NOT taking the most rigorous courseload 'available' to them. I say this, not to compare the difficulty of AP courses vs. IB courses but staying with IB for 7 years (called MYP in grades 6-10) is much more difficult than taking some AP courses in 12th (maybe 11th too) grade. Our g.c. clearly states on the g.c. report that the IB kids take the most rigorous courseload available in the ENTIRE county, not just the school.</p>
<p>i'm doing mix of IB and AP (not full diploma)</p>
<p>AP seems much easier with less course loads...
in IB, there are so many "internal assessments" and other stuff to do
but the colleges don't give more credits for IB programme
sometimes i feel that IB is kinda waste of time
(since i'm not going to Europe or somewhere...)</p>
<p>It seems as though most student who enroll in the full IB programme do it because of the level of education it provides and the challenges. Most IB kids (at least the ones I know) are not doing it for college credit. On the other hand, most AP kids take AP courses for the college credit. AP prepares you for the AP test. IB teaches you to think.</p>
<p>The University of Virginia just finished a study on AP students and came to the conclusion, they (students) were no better prepared for college level courses and their level of knowledge did not go beyond the AP test.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It seems as though most student who enroll in the full IB programme do it because of the level of education it provides and the challenges. Most IB kids (at least the ones I know) are not doing it for college credit
[/quote]
exactly....i agree with you completely....i didnt do the IB Program because of credits, but a challenge of hardwork that would prepare me for the college</p>
<p>at our school, IB students have to take some AP classes because they're taught at the same time.</p>
<p>Like my 11th grade schedule:
Honors math analysis
AP US history
AP/IB Physics (SL)
AP/IB English Literature
AP/IB Spanish 4 (standard level)
IB psychology (standard level)
International Relations Honors</p>
<p>So in Physics, we just learned intense Physics and prepared for both tests. Same Spanish, and for AP/IB bio this year.</p>
<p>I like IB, but I hate the work. TOK i guess varies from school to school; i really like it. At our school, IB kids are in a block of two consecutive classes. We are split into the A, B, and C group (30 each) and we have three IB teachers; one for TOK, one for english, and one for history. With the two hour block of classes, we rotate and see either all teachers, two teachers, or all of us sit in the theater and do an activity. It's a lot of fun.</p>
<p>Since we are seniors now and its almost time for IB Exams.....We cant wait, because after the exams, we are all done....we can sign ourselfs out and go to do the Senior Project...so we DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING....ITS OUR STUDY HALL PERIOD...teacher hasnt given us hw since september and we REFUSE TO DO WORK so she gave up on us....i love tok sinces its a free period now</p>