<p>What EXACTLY is IB? I have a general sense of what it is, but why is it so big and glorified/difficult?</p>
<p>My school only offers AP and gifted/honors classes. How do those compare to IB?</p>
<p>Okay, here's a basic summary. So IB stands for International Baccalaureate and basically it's just this international program that started somewhere in Europe I think and it's pretty prestigious. So.....there are lots of different IB courses such as Theory of Knowledge, Philosophy, all the sciences, math, just you know, stuff like that... and you can choose to take as many as you wish, but there are different levels of achievement. There's IB Certificate, IB Certificate of Merit, and IB Full Diploma (which is obviously the greatest), which you receive by taking at least one, 3-4, and 6-7 IB courses respectively. There's a pre-IB program which starts in 10th grade at my school (courses that aren't quite as hard but get you used to the program) and then there's the regular IB program which you take in 11th and 12th grades. By 12th grade you also have to complete an extended essay which is a big research paper as well as up to 150 CAS hours (like community service) for full diploma candidates. And like AP, there are tests where you get a number score (7 being the highest) and you have to get a certain number to receive a certificate/diploma. Yep... so that's basically it. Oh yeah, and just in case you're interested, I'm an 11th grader in 6 IB courses and it's definitely tough...but not to sound cliche or anything but the teachers and education really are much better.</p>
<p>The main difference between IB and AP is the manner in which information is presented. In IB we have to write a lot of essays and do a lot of analysis, where in AP everthing is more rote. I'm a 12th grade, Full IB Diploma Candidate. Last year I got all As, so it's not impossibly hard; however many kids to drop Full IB because of all of the other stuff you have to do (CAS, Extended Essay). I have heard that IB better prepared you for college because it allows you to think for yourself more rather than merely digesting what the teacher tells you and filling in bubbles on a test.</p>
<p>^ wow, biased. haha, bitter about AP?</p>
<p>IB is harder because of the "extra" requirements-the courses are also comparable, but only in the fact that you must take a certain amount to get the diploma. In that way, the full diploma is more prestigious than a few aps. You cannot take IB by yourself-your school must offer it, and there's no way to self study.</p>
<p>AP is more for a person in a non-IB school or homeschool or self studier. You can take as many as you want in any subjects, and there are no extra requirements. AP is more recognizable to the average American, as well. </p>
<p>In terms of credit, usually at top schools: a 4 or 5/5AP score is equal to about a 5,6, or 7/7 in IB. So, equivalent. </p>
<p>If you have the choice of IB, do IB if you want and if you have the time. If you have AP, don't worry about IB. Also, if you are involved in time-consuming activites, you might want to ask students in IB how much time IB demands in your particular school . </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>IB is way better.</p>
<p>I absolutely love the IB programme. I'm currently in my first year of the diploma, and it really has changed my view on so many things (I know that sounds like a cliche, but its true) and I have not regretted a moment of it. Even the limited sleep inflicted upon me by the IBO can be justified. :)</p>
<p>It can be rather expensive to complete (generally for poor people, however) but the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.</p>
<p>What Anon_Person is saying makes no sense. 150 hours of CAS spread out over two years isn't that stressful, nor is a 4000 word essay. Also, a full IB diploma is only six courses, whereas many kids take way more AP's.</p>
<p>If getting all 5's in 6 AP courses was the same as getting a 7 in all IB courses, there wouldn't be a point to the IB program. Obviously this is not the case, as hundreds of schools around the world offer it.</p>
<p>I've taken 9 APs so far, and will take 5 this year. My school does not offer IB. I would say that we do write a lot of papers, and have done a lot of discussion, and that AP definitely can involve more work than IB, if you undertake a heavy load. (BTW, I also have > 150 hrs community service, so I'm not considering that either...)</p>
<p>IB tests are mostly all in essay format, whereas AP tests are all multiple choice. this requires IB students to be more critical thinkers in order to do well. i have also heard that IB better prepares kids for college b/c so many of the classes are basically replicas of college classes.</p>
<p>^^^ Whoa....... all AP tests are NOT multiple choice. There are certain multiple choice secitons but not a single AP exam is all multiple choice.</p>
<p>Ok, I feel like I have to defend AP's.</p>
<p>First of all, you can take AP classes/exams starting in 9th grade. You can only take IB classes in 11th.</p>
<p>Next, AP classes require alot of critical and analytical thinking. All AP exams have writing sections and they usually make up 50% of the final score. Just because IB exams have more writing doesn't make them harder. I could be gifted at writing, but suck with multiple choice. Thus IB exams would be alot easier for me than AP exams. What happens if you are on Jeopardy and the host asks you a difficult question? Obviously you aren't going to have to write an essay for an answer :D .</p>
<p>In addition, I don't believe IB is as flexible as AP. AP covers over 22 SUBJECT areas with 37 exams available. Does IB offer that much flexibility?</p>
<p>And don't say IB is tougher than AP. It depends on the school, student, teacher, etc. I know that my AP U.S. History class is harder than the IB US History classes at an IB school near me.</p>
<p>Amen JMAN Amen</p>
<p>illuminar-did I ever say anything about ANYTHING being "stressful"--no. Also, if anything I'm more biased towards AP in terms of flexibility. I was just saying that the IB full diploma is more prestigious than a few (note: a few! like taking 2, not taking 6!) aps because of the fact you must take 6 IB courses. Also, as one of the posters said, as with anything, the "hardness" of each individual course varies school to school. </p>
<p>I was also not saying that getting 5's in APs was the same as 7 in IB---no matter what my opinion is, I copied it off barnard's website. Besides, the argument that "if there isn't a point, schools wouldn't offer it" doesn't make any sense-as if there haven't been programs that have continued that didn't have a point or were any different. Why is there even Coke when there is Pepsi?</p>
<p>I'm not trying to be argumentative, just clarifying my views.</p>
<p>ok, sorry about the confusion about my previous posts. I can't say anything about the "hardness" of AP b/c i've never taken AP classes. However, when I have been to panels of college students, they say that IB better prepares them for college work. I don't know why this is, but that's what college students say. Furthermore, regarding exams, I know that AP exams are not purely multiple choice, but according to my friends in AP, it is much more rote.</p>
<p>IB is like the international school system and stuff and AP is more American.</p>
<p>Anon<em>Person</em>1: "Why is there even Coke when there is Pepsi?"</p>
<p>I'm sorry, I'm from Atlanta, so I must rephrase this. Why is there even Pepsi when there is Coke!</p>
<p>APs are set tests, while the IB can be extended into many subfields over a selection of general categories. For example, a school in India could offer IB Gujarati as Language A1 and English as Language A2. In America, one could do the same. However, there is no AP Gujarati exam, although there are two AP English exams.</p>
<p>
[quote]
First of all, you can take AP classes/exams starting in 9th grade. You can only take IB classes in 11th.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yeah, what really sucks is when you're one of the best HL physics students in your class and you're not even allowed to take the exam because you're a junior. Or you're barred from taking SL or HL math because you're in Differential Equations and not some calculus class. And then you pretty much can't take other IB requirements because physics messes things up for you. IB's way too strict/rigid/etc. and bogs you down with pointless requirements. (a common saying at our school is I.B, therefore I B.S.) And you can definitely get an excellent education without committing yourself to a full-time program. </p>
<p>I'm passionate about the IB Diploma - it's a rigorous program that FORCES students to take 1 subject in each of the 6 different areas. Since you can't specialise in one area, you have to perform well in all 6 subjects.</p>
<p>So, you are forced to take certain classes?</p>
<p>Thats too bad. I like to pick the classes that I like. For example, I love art. Thus I'm going to take AP Studio Art my junior and senior years.</p>
<p>I know IB is international, but you know what? I am in the U.S. and I am going to go to an U.S. school. That isn't a concern of mine.</p>