<p>I have been looking through college policies regarding IB test scores and then getting credit. I feel personally as if a standard level course score of 5-7 can probably be equal to an AP score of 4-5 in some cases, however, it has been annoying me that most colleges only give extra credit for higher level exams. When I get to this issue with colleges, should I appeal to have my standard level tests count? Or am i wrong and are standard levels below AP?</p>
<p>i had the same concern and still do. my parents forced me into the IB program at my school when i coulda just filled my schedule wit AP classes. i always argued that colleges like AP better because they give more credit for them even if the SL's are equally as hard, i mean the tests are easier but just getting a few wrong lowers ur score keeping u from 7's.</p>
<p>My parents are also forcing me into the ib program next year(first year). So I'm not really getting the question, what's wrong with the IB tests? Cause if there is something wrong, I'll rather not be in the IB program before it starts. Also how are the IB test structured, are they mostly essay questions?</p>
<p>there's not really anything wrong with the IB tests, it's just that there are two levels (standard and higher) which are both difficult though one is more intensive, but colleges just tend to give credit for the higher level. I know for chemistry I took the SL test, but I took two years of chemistry and I did fine on my SAT IIs, so I think I'd be fine with an AP test. The problem is that I couldn't get credit for taking chemistry at most upper level colleges.
IB tests vary. For example, my chemistry one was lots of solving and multiple choice, then some short answers, and then there are 2 options which are all indepth questions. I've heard the history exam is essays and the language has interpretation, an oral component, and multiple choice. The art exam is actually more along the lines of grading the research and the work and thought that went behind each piece along with the finished work. So it's more of an interview. However, I think for every class you have to send something to the IB headquarters, whether it be the labs you did in class or some drawings and research in your sketchbook.</p>
<p>I was thinking about what you said and i am happy being in IB. I think as a whole program it is a lot of work, and since it is a program you do develop a lot and if you go for the diploma it is rewarding with what you take away. IB has definitely caused me to analyze things more, though my workload has increased. oh and i know that if you get the whole diploma some schools (though mostly public) may give you tons of credits off. go to ibo.org and then on the left scroll down to universities and you can see what colleges give for IB classes.</p>
<p>IB might not give you as many credits as AP will, but you will definitely ahead of most of your classmates in the classes you have to take because it was only SL. Think about it, eventhough it might sound stupid taking a similar class all over again but it will not only refresh your mind on a possible subject of interest and most likely a higher GPA due to previous foundations built in IB. </p>
<p>Also, you have to remember that many people who do well in AP classes and pass the test, do not have a solid knowledge of the subject - even of the intro courses, which they end up paying the price by taking to many higher level classes to early.</p>
<p>It sucks in one sense (that you have to take mostly AP test in junior year to get credit for any IB SL test that year). But for senior year, you basically have 2 opportunities to get credit (for the IB HL tests, and corresponding AP tests). But in general you are right, Harvard being one of the worst. They equate only a 7 with an AP 5. This, I think is the worst part: to be elgible for 3-year graduation at Harvard, you need to get 7's on 3 HL's (which means getting 7's on all of the higher level classes: for me that is History (not happening), English (maybe), Math (hopefully)), but for AP's, you only need a 5 on 4 AP exams (which can be from any subject). Basically, I have to ace my IB HL to get this, or I can just get a 5 on 1 more AP exam.</p>
<p>Even though almost no colleges give credit for IB SL exams, you can get credit in these classes in others way, for example you can take SAT II's and pass out of a class (i think this is particularly helpful for a language). I'm doing the IB, and to me it seems like it's much easier to get more credit with AP exams (unfortunately) but i definitely dont think most schools favor AP over IB. I visited Grinnell last week, and an admissions counselor who was interviewing me said that he thought the IB diploma was better than AP classes, plus i've heard it in general prepares you for college much better, esp in terms of writing. I think it's crap that most colleges see AP 5 == IB 7.. because it is much harder to get a 7 than a 5 (in my opinion).</p>
<p>If you're only trying to get college credit, the IB program is definitely not for you. You'd be better off with AP or community college classes.</p>
<p>That being said, I am not terribly annoyed that SL scores are not given as much weight. This past year I took the tests for AP Chemistry and Chemistry SL, and the latter was much easier.</p>
<p>I do understand where you're coming from though. After all, who doesn't like college credit?</p>
<p>well, even if i don't get credit for them, i'm not too concerned. rather, i have just jumped to my own conclusion that colleges like AP and regard it as more prestigious and difficult than IB because of the policy they have formed regarding the exams, where AP's are given more credit even though IB tests are even harded to score highly on.</p>
<p>NO, SL tests most likely will give you NO CREDIT. Just take the AP test.</p>
<p>Need I remind you that AP test grades are 100% how you performed on the test? IB test grades are only 50% how you performed on the test? Maybe that has something to do with it. :)</p>
<p>im taking SL chemistry and i was looking at Kaplan's SAT II chemistry and i just dont understand it... lol i think some SL are definately easier...</p>
<p>actually I had no trouble taking the SAT II from SL chemistry. there were a few differences but it mostly covered easier problems. thanks for all the replies, I guess that means i can't really get credit, which stinks, but I'll survive. I never knew about APs since my school only offers IB, so I guess it is too late for that now</p>