IB vs AP vs Gifted/Honors

Pre-College Issues High School Life
41

<p>I agree that IB and AP vary from school to school so I shall bore you with an unnecessarily long post that reiterates some of the things Nalcon, illuminar and mollypockets have said (This teaches me to read to the last page of a thread before writing an excessively long, quasi-passionate response!):</p>

<p>As an example, my district offers IB at one of its three 11/12 high schools. However, that particular school doesn't offer a lot of different IB classes (they're all taught with AP, by the way); in subject area six, the only options are Computer Science, Art and an extra core class. They don't have some of the classes you've all mentioned: Philosophy (aside from Theory of Knowledge), Cultures & Belief, Business, etc. The program is somewhat new and really underdeveloped. Although kids at that school are allowed to take AP classes as well, there isn't a real benefit to entering the IB program. For me, there are two additional fallbacks to doing IB: (1) at my high school, discounts are offered on AP exams; (2) I'd have to transfer.</p>

<p>The quality of teaching/learning in AP and IB classes can't be generalized. Where I am, AP isn't about regurgitating material. This has a lot to do with the caliber of the teachers at your district. It looks like some of you IB students are basing your assumptions on AP exams. While I agree that writing, analysis and critical thinking are better than rote memorization, I don't think it's fair to say that AP is rote just because most exams include a multiple choice section. When it comes to learning, AP is not necessarily rote; IB is not necessarily amazing and mind-opening. At a lot of schools, of course, IB is a fantastic option; so is AP.</p>

<p>My point is this: A lot of the things you've all been discussing in the way of teaching/learning styles aren't general truths; they're unnecessary generalizations. So if you're picking between AP and IB, talk to someone who's been through the programs at your school -- not random, bickering people on the Internet.</p>

<p>To answer the OP's question: The difference between IB and AP has a lot to do with college credit. If you're going to college outside of the US, IB might be a good idea. It's an established international program. However, it does have added (some would say restricting) components: CAS hours, an extended essay and requirements to take classes and pass exams in every subject area. Everything else can be largely affected by the quality of your local programs. Usually, IB includes more writing. And AP can be offered at all grade levels, not just 11th and 12th grades.</p>

<p>And, awaiting-college, (if my opinion counts for anything) I don't think Jman has come across as "really arrogant". I just don't see why you think that. All he's saying is that AP is more flexible (Even if IB students have choices within subject areas, you have to admit that not all students want to take courses in all areas, even if they have options. There are some kids who are amazing at social studies but useless at the natural sciences, and those people might want to take all the history, government and economics classes without having to bother with advanced science. The choice between Biology and Chemistry doesn't mean much in those cases.) and that he doesn't need international credit if he's staying in the States. Do you think that Americans (or people from any other country, for that matter) are without "respect" if they choose to attend college in their home country? "Internationalism" isn't sacrificed if you do AP and go to a US college. I don't think people are automatically ignorant if they aren't surrounded by foreign students or if their curriculum was developed in their own country. What's wrong with that?</p>

<p>I wrote way too much. Sorry for any mistakes; I didn't proof-read.</p>

42

<p>AP and IB are a lot alike........i think its unfair to say one is better than another for they are the same degree or difficulty..... IB is just another class like AP</p>

43

<p>I don't think the multiple choice section is rote. It contains complex questions that require complex answers. You have to find out which choice out of five is the best. I think you IB students think it is straightforward; it is not. They require alot of thinking and you have a very small amount of time to complete them.</p>

<p>And Illuminar, you want to see a school that considers a 7 on an IB exam equal to a 5 on an AP exam? How about looking at the #1 ranked college in the United States: Princeton.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pub/ap/table.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pub/ap/table.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Scroll down to the very bottom of the page and read the fine print. They consider a 7 (IB) equivalent to a 5 (AP), and a 6 (IB) equivalent to a 4 (AP).</p>

<p>Oh, and I would also like to know what "ftw" stands for :D .</p>

44

<p>
[quote]
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.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The English program at my school is corrupt and besides, I like independent learning. Florida Virtual School has a very good passing rate for their AP English classes, and you can have discussions by: using the chatroom, using the discussion boards, or calling the teacher if you need clarification.</p>

<p>I have taken Algebra 2 and Personal Fitness online; both really taught me more than I would have originally thought.</p>

<p>And it's not purely self-studying. You still have a teacher, one that is usually working all day and on the weekends. They grade papers very fast; you always get immediate feedback.</p>

45

<p>OK, how much does one IB exam cost?</p>

46

<p>^^ There are other fees as well. You can not just sit an IB exam, you must complete an Internal Assessment for each topic (which you'll have to pay to be moderated), as well as many other fees.</p>

<p>I'm not responding to any other comments in this thread, there's too many and I am too busy to answer them all. Most of them are without merit anyway and utterly ridiculous.</p>

47

<p>^So the link I got from Princeton's website isn't merit. Princeton is not merit enough for you?</p>

<p>From looking at different sites, it seems as though IB is significantly more expensive than AP; combine that with the fact that AP exams grant more college credit than IB exams (I will have taken 14 AP exams by the time I graduate). </p>

<p>It seems as though AP is a winner over IB for me.</p>

48

<p>I wasn't referring to the Princeton reference, but as I previously stated I am not going to continue debating something with someone who is arrogant, closed-minded and can not comprehend that IB is better than AP. I have much more productive tasks to complete.</p>

49

<p>Then stop posting. </p>

<p>I don't want to listen to an oblivious and conceited punk who fails to see that AP has more advantages than IB.</p>

<p>The original poster asked how AP compares to IB:</p>

<p>-AP will grant one more credits toward college than IB
-AP is cheaper than IB
-AP is more flexible and has more subject areas
-AP is more indicative of college success in the U.S.
-AP lets students take whatever classes they want
-AP is more nationally recognized
-AP is older than IB, and thus more established
-AP requires critical/analytical thinking
-AP can begin in 9th grade, unlike IB</p>

50

<p>You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, but I refuse to debatte this with someone who is so self-absorbed.</p>

51

<p>Tell me how I am self-absorbed. </p>

<p>Name calling is children and please don't make nonconstructive posts. </p>

<p>Don't post anything that doesn't pertain to what the topic of this thread is.</p>

52

<p>To the OP, you may want to check out websites about the two programs in order to help you decide what you would like to do.</p>

<p>If you want to learn more about AP tests, go to <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>If you want to learn more about the IB programs go to <a href="http://www.ibo.org/diploma/index.cfm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ibo.org/diploma/index.cfm&lt;/a> and go through the eight page overview.</p>

<p>Some people take IB and AP classes together, instead of taking one or the other.</p>

53

<p>Also, you may want to check out this site too. It compares AP and IB </p>

<p><a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/schools/chiefsealth/school/ib%20vs%20ap.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.seattleschools.org/schools/chiefsealth/school/ib%20vs%20ap.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>i just want to point something out....IB is an international program and the people in the program can take IB AND AP classes therefore IB is better for the fact it gives you more class options.</p>

55

<p>for the AP is nationally recognized. IB is internationally recognized.....just thought i would point that out</p>

56

<p>Jman- I find your 2nd to last post completely biased and arrogant. While the factors you listed about AP might have some validity, they fail to point out the good things about IB.</p>

57

<p>I think both are good. They are both hard classes which allow students to do college work. I think it's just that AP is nationally recognized and more schools can implement it better. It doesn't cost too much to set up AP classes. For IB though you have to set up so many classes and have so many teachers and adminstrators participating. It's takes a lot of effort.
They both teach college subjects so I say they're the same. </p>

<p>In terms of programs I say that IB is harder cuz they have the classes, essays and CAS. AP is classes.</p>

<p>HOWEVER In terms of calsses I say they vary from school to school and are mainly the same.</p>

58

<p>Ok guys, basically it's: POTAYTOES to POTAHTOES</p>

59

<p>You all should read this essay</p>

<p><a href="http://www.paulgraham.com/hs.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.paulgraham.com/hs.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Discover the light while you can...</p>

60

<p>I was just making a point that AP is more established and recognized in the U.S. If you are in the U.S. and plan to stay in the U.S. for college, then by all means take AP instead of IB.</p>

<p>However if you plan to go to a college outside of the U.S., then IB is obviously the best option.</p>

<p>You may think IB is more rigorous, but in the U.S., college admissions officers look at both on a same level. They don't think IB is better than AP, or AP is better than IB.</p>