<p>^^^ ooooooo pwned. lol</p>
<p>IB is a southern thing as well.</p>
<p>
[quote]
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.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Wow. That comment comes across as really arrogant. It shows just how much respect you have for a system used in over 130 countries. But you have no concern for the rest of the world. Wow. I now know where the generalisations of Americans as being arrogant/ignorant/self-absorbed originate from.</p>
<p>Don't worry, I attend an international school following U.S. curricula (offering the IB Diploma), so I am surrounded by students from 92 nationalities every day. Americans are, by the far, the largest student body representing 15% (~70 students) of the school. Fortunately they are true believers in internationalism and, after being surrounded by them, I thought that stereotype about Americans was false. It probably is; so you are without a doubt the most ignorant American I have ever encountered.</p>
<p>
[quote]
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.
[/quote]
There is actually a two year course offered that you might like; IB Visual Art. This would fulfill the requirements of subject area #6. </p>
<p>Unless you go to a poor school (kind of an oxymoron, I know, poor schools don't offer the IB), you won't be forced to take a subject. You will be forced to take a subject from a subject area, however. In subject area/group #3, the humanities, there are subjects like History, Economics, Cultures & Beliefs, Business, and about 25 more. It's like that for all 6 subject areas. And if you don't like subject area 6 (performing/visual arts), the IBO grants permission for you to take another humanity. You're hardly FORCED to do anything.</p>
<p>
[quote]
^^^ ooooooo pwned. lol
[/quote]
How could you possibly find that funny? You must live a very sad life.</p>
<p>
[quote]
IB is a southern thing as well.
[/quote]
Correct. There's a lot of (public) schools around Florida, etc. offering the IB.</p>
<p>I'm not being arrogant. I'm by far not rich (my parents make less than $60,000 each year). They are still paying off debts; where am I going to find the money to go to different countries? I'm sorry, but I don't have the luxury of going to different countries. And everyone I know would be separated from me. How am I going to live in a different country and afford to go to college there?</p>
<p>Why shouldn't I go to a school in the U.S.? It only makes logical sense for me to stay here.</p>
<p>And how many different types of IB Visual Art are there? There are three different types of AP Studio Art - drawing, 2D, and 3D. I only like drawing and 2D. I'm betting an IB Visual Art class would FORCE me to do 3D art; I hate 3D art. Oh wait, it does not matter because the IB school near me does not even offer IB Visual Art. I would be deprived of something I love if I were to go there.</p>
<p>Also, are there any online IB classes? I love online learning; it enhances my independent learning and studying skills. In fact, I'm going to take AP English Lang. and AP English Lit. online at Florida Virtual School ( <a href="http://www.flvs.net%5B/url%5D">www.flvs.net</a> ). They have 10 AP courses available through distance learning. And it's free for me. Where can I find free online IB classes?</p>
<p>And I still do not understand why IB is not offered to 9th/10th grade students. I know a girl who has taken 5 AP classes from 9th-10th grade and got 5's on all of them, so don't bring it to a maturity issue.</p>
<p>NO there arent any online IB classes and no one would want to take them. IB is not just a "course". There are so many itsy bitsy details in getting that IB diploma even if u do get more than 24 pts. if you fail an IB test or two you cant get it. Many IB schools dont offer a lot of electives/classes. The only electives in my school are Film, Psych and CompSci. </p>
<p>You CANNOT self-study IB- you have to be an IB coordinator just to get practice exams and a registered IB student to take them. The only exception is if you go to an IB and AP school and you dont want to do full IB, you can take a few IB classes and take their tests for an IB CERTIFICATE</p>
<p>Anyways, i think IB has only HL or SL Visual arts and u can pick which type you want to do (2D or 3D)</p>
<p>Awaiting College, why don't you go back to your <strong>Genuine Thread</strong> Don't tell me I have a sad life when I am physically fit, academically strong, morally sound, and get at least 7 HOURS OF SLEEP each night.</p>
<p>And Jman, keep arguing strong, I love your posts more and more with the additions.</p>
<p>Not to add more lighter fluid to the smoke but AP is easier than IB, although IB encourages bullsh** writing- while AP encourages regurgitation of learned material.</p>
<p>How is IB harder? </p>
<p>I love writing. And you can't say AP classes are easier; it varies among schools. I have to spend 15 hours after school every week just on ONE of my AP classes. Most of our assignments involve writing. Do you spend 15 hours for every IB class you take?</p>
<p>Also, most colleges have determined that a 5 on an AP exam is equivalent to a 7 on an IB exam. Looking at exam scores statistics, more AP students earn 5's than IB students who earn 7's. </p>
<p>So if more AP students score higher than IB students, then wouldn't that show that AP students are better prepared than IB students?</p>
<p>^^^^ And just because more get 5's DOES NOT MEAN that AP is easier... so don't even bring that comeback you IB lovers.</p>
<p>Right.</p>
<p>I believe that it shows that AP students are more prepared.</p>
<p>And I don't think IB is bad; I just don't think that IB students shouldn't be saying IB is so much better than AP.</p>
<p>My previous school offered BOTH the IB program and AP classes, so let me say something here. The IB Biology HL and AP Biology class was taught in the SAME classroom at the SAME time with the SAME students. They learned exactly the SAME stuff and both did the SAME on their respective exams. IB is just the internationals not subscribing to AP for whatever reason. The IB HL courses are the same degree of difficulty as AP but not NEARLY as flexible for the above reasons (only being able to take them in 11-12 grade, no self/online study, not as many options HL, etc) I am a senior and not including this coming May have taken 11 AP while a friend of mine is in the IB program. Neither of us work hard at all, but since I was able to take APs sophomore year and was able to take more than 6 college credit courses 11-12 grade, I will end up with much more college credit. Therefore AP>IB</p>
<p>Great post Nalcon. I think we need to see more posts from students who have taken both AP and IB classes and the reasons behind their preferences for one over another.</p>
<p>The logic in this thread is pretty flawed. For one thing, applying a personal situation to judge a program objectively doesn't make sense. If I were interested in Bantu Archaeology, I somehow doubt that AP, or IB for that matter, would suit my needs. That doesn't make AP a bad program.</p>
<p>On the point of self study, personally, I'd rather be in a classroom environment, especially for an English class. The part of English class I like best is the discussion between students and exchanging of ideas. You don't, can't, get that in an online course. Besides, the science IB courses require lab hours anyway. </p>
<p>Age is a moot point. There are restrictions everywhere regarding age. Driving, alcohol, even starting school. The courses aren't going anywhere, I don't see why it matters. No one is pointing a gun to your head and saying that you have to do IB. </p>
<p>The fact that different schools teach differently works in favor of IB. All exams are sent off and graded by teachers from around the world. There's a universal standard, so if a school has the IB program but does a terrible job with it, it's reflected in the grades. To be fair, I'm not exactly sure how the AP process works.</p>
<p>Could we get an actual link which says that a 5 = 7? Just because they're given equal credit upon graduation doesn't mean that they're equally difficult. It was even stated that there are huge variations among schools. How can a person make a blanket statement saying that AP prepares students better when the same course could be taught hundreds of different ways?</p>
<p>Finally, Nalcon's point doesn't stand. Theoretically, let's suggest that it follows the IB curriculum and the AP curriculum is secondary. What if the IB exam covers more material than the AP? The students will still have learned everything they need for the AP exam, as well as for the IB. That doesn't mean they're the same. The reverse could be applied as well.</p>
<p>Honestly, I'm not going to bother arguing about this anymore. I'm doing PreIB right now and the only school within a good 300km radius that offers AP is an all girls school. From what I understand though, the IB program makes for more well rounded students, is extremely rigorous, and is very highly regarded (in the case of completing a diploma, moreso than AP)</p>
<p>AP offers more flexibility. If someone wants to take a ton of courses, then yeah, their courseload could easily be as hard, if not harder, than a typical IB diploma student's. </p>
<p>Personal preference ftw?</p>
<p>AP exams are scored on a national level by teachers from all around the country. Not as world-wide as you say the IB grading is, but fairly universal within its own system.</p>
<p>AP courses are taught differently by different teachers.
IB courses are taught differently by different teaches.
Nothing can ever be universally the same, it just isn't possible. That's why everyone takes an exam at the end of their course. I know people who take IB courses in another city, and it's unbelievably slack. IB in my city is out of control - people don't sleep, have no lives, and struggle to maintain good grades.
AP biology at my school is a great class for napping. When my sister took it at another school, they were constantly writing papers and doing projects. </p>
<p>I'm just saying...this will never be settled because there is too much variation.</p>
<p>I think we can assume that AP students prefer AP and IB students prefer IB. What did you expect? All of the IB kids to drop out and join AP? All of the AP kids to feel bad about themselves and their academic rigour and wish they were in IB?
And why do we always want to be doing the more difficult program? Is it some kind of power trip? What do we have to prove, really, but proving that we are in the MOST DIFFICULT MOST (le gasp) RIGOROUS program available?</p>
<p>thank you Canucker! in the end, both AP and IB are challenging courses and both have their positive and negative aspects.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Also, most colleges have determined that a 5 on an AP exam is equivalent to a 7 on an IB exam. Looking at exam scores statistics, more AP students earn 5's than IB students who earn 7's.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That would certainly make sense since there are only 5 possible scores on an AP exam, but 7 possible scores on an IB exam.</p>
<p>
[quote]
My previous school offered BOTH the IB program and AP classes, so let me say something here. The IB Biology HL and AP Biology class was taught in the SAME classroom at the SAME time with the SAME students. They learned exactly the SAME stuff and both did the SAME on their respective exams.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I would like to add that for certain subjects the curricula are very different. For instance, AP US History only covers United States history, but IB American History covers the history of Latin America, the US, and Canada.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The fact that different schools teach differently works in favor of IB. All exams are sent off and graded by teachers from around the world. There's a universal standard, so if a school has the IB program but does a terrible job with it, it's reflected in the grades. To be fair, I'm not exactly sure how the AP process works.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Basically people go off and do whatever they want and sometime in May they take one test with both multiple-choice and essay sections that covers physics or psychology or history or whatever. So there's a universal standard there as well.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Personal preference ftw?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>WHAT THE HECK DOES FTW STAND FOR?!?! graaagh it is driving me nuts not knowing what it means and seeing it mentioned constantly.</p>