<p>I'm wondering if anybody here knows of any studies that have been done regarding how AP and IB scores correlate with each other. I ask because, in general, the pattern I have noticed in observing students take the AP test and the IB equivalent is as such:</p>
<p>IB</p>
<p>7 = 5
6 = 5
5 = 4
4 = 3
3 = 2
2 = 2
1 = 1</p>
<p>I find it strange that most top colleges only award credit to HL scores of 6-7 yet they award credit for 4-5 on the AP tests. It seems rather ridiculous that a 4 is equivalent to a 6. Thoughts? Perhaps IB is just not as well known in the States?</p>
<p>You have the general trend correct. But remember, IB Exams are jokes compared to AP exams even though IB’s overall curriculum is a little bit more difficult (I’m talking about the EE & TOK). But class vs. class AP is considered to be a tougher course (IB Hist of the Americas is easier than APUSH).</p>
<p>and IB is definitely well-known in the US. </p>
<p>an IB education tends to make students more liberal (the american definition, not the regular rest-of-the-world definition) and to some degree, more socialist.</p>
<p>IB is present in America, although not as popular as AP. I’d say almost every high school has either or, and of those that do, 10% have IB and 90% have AP. I don’t know of any schools that have both.</p>
<p>IB isn’t necessarily “easier”, it’s just more holistic. It’s more about learning for the sake of learning, with classes like Theory of Knowledge. It teaches about all different aspects of the subject matter. AP is a “teach to the test” program. So one could argue that AP is harder because it’s a lot of straight facts and rote memorization. Also, AP is very standardized and covers a specific and defined set of material; therefore, colleges know exactly what you have learned and are more likely to award you credit hours because thye know exactly what you’ve mastered.</p>
<p>You need to provide some documentation of the following astonishing claims. “IB Exams are jokes compared to AP Exams”? “An IB education tends to make students more liberal”? </p>
<p>Says. Who.</p>
<p>The OP’s question is a good one. Anyone know the actual answer?</p>
<p>That may be the case with history but I can personally attest to the fact that IB HL Math is significantly harder than AP Calc BC. The rest of the tests are more arguable but I would argue that, if anything, the IB tests are harder.</p>
<p>It seems like most people applying to top colleges have all 5’s or mostly 5’s for AP but you’d be hard pressed to find many people with mostly 7’s on IB.</p>
<p>My daughter is IB Math HL right now after making a 5 on AP Calculus BC and will agree it is much harder. Both my daughters went to a high school with AP/IB and took 5- 8 AP tests and we all would agree IB is much harder and much more rewarding. It is frustrating that many colleges don’t quite get it and it is harder to get IB credit. It is also irritating when kids who take a few AP classes think it is comparable to an IB Diploma candidate who must take certain classes, complete many Internal Assessments graded independently, do an extended essay, and complete CAS Hours. With IB, you need to do it for the love of learning
and the long term benefits.</p>
<p>My school has both -_- (yay, more work!)
In America, it seems like AP carries more weight and is more widely accepted by colleges and such. IB students don’t really get the recognition they deserve. Most kids from AP only schools never hear of IB but kids from IB schools definitely hear of AP. </p>
<p>letigre - can you back up what you have said? Several of the IB candidates at my school are DIEHARD conservatives/Christians/whatever and anything but “liberal” and “socialist”. Also, IB tests are mostly free response and, as I learned in AP psychology, recall is much harder than recognition. And the actual test itself that you take at the end of the course does not make up 100% of the grade like AP, so I’d say it’s harder since you actually have to put in the work… not just take a test. The 1-7 score is made up of a combination of the test result AND other work sent in to the organization and graded by PEOPLE (EE, IOP, IOC, IAs etc.) which are a pain in the !@# to do. </p>
<p>heh… Look at that… Hate it yet will defend it with my dying breath. Oh the joys of IB.</p>