<p>Hey, everybody. I'm a freshman in an IB school. I'm currently taking all pre-IB/honors classes right now, and I'm planning on taking all IB and/or higher level IB in my junior and senior year. I'm doing fine in my pre-IB classes (I have all A's so far), but I'm really worried that once I get to the actual IB classes, I'll do poorly. I've heard rumors that the highest most people get on any IB test is a 75%, which is waaaay below my standards. I'm afraid that taking all IB classes will ruin my GPA. My school only offers IB though, so it's not like I can switch out of IB and into AP if I can't take the heat. I'm a total perfectionist when it comes to my grades too, so I'm afraid that I won't be able to take it. </p>
<p>Are there any IB students out there who could help me? I've talked to a bunch of current IB students and counselors, but everyone seems to have a different opinion on IB. But all of the rumors that senior year of IB is more difficult than freshman year of college really scare me. Also, does anyone know how most colleges view IB, compared to AP? And what's the deal with Higher Level IB? I never quite fully understood that. Any help or advice would be appreciated!</p>
<p>On an AP test, if you get 75% of the multiple choice right, you automatically pass. If you also do the free response, you’re likely to get a 4 or a 5. </p>
<p>Perhaps I’m biased - I’m an IB student. Just take that into account. </p>
<p>But I feel like AP is good if you want the credits for college, and better recognition (in US schools). IB is good if you want college prep. At least in my school, the alum come back to say that the IB curriculum had been so helpful.</p>
<p>If you go for the full IB experience it will definitely build you as a person (that means CAS, Theory of Knowledge, and Extended essay included). TOK was amazing -it taught me how to think for myself, which is really valuable in my opinion. IB English perfects your analytical and writing skills, and you’ll be writing superb science lab reports by the time you’re finished. </p>
<p>Yes, it’s hard, but I’m almost done and can honestly say it was well worth it, even if I won’t be getting a ton of college credit. </p>
<p>As for difficulty, as long as you’re dedicated - get help from the teacher when you need it, plan out your time, etc. - you’ll do fine. You’ll curse out IB and perhaps have meltdowns once in a while. But when you’re finished you’ll be thankful.:)</p>
<p>Hey! I’m a freshman too in an IB school so I know how you’re feeling. Though this year is the first year my school is doing IB so I know nothing cause not even the people taking it know what they’re doing haha. I found most of the stuff I know online to be honest. </p>
<p>But, I also have questions. MIT, isn’t it nearly impossible, except for geniuses, to get straight A’s in IB classes? If so, doesn’t it really lower your chances of getting into a top college?</p>
<p>Sorry, don’t mean to steal MIT’s question, but I just thought I could provide some input. </p>
<p>If you care enough about your grades it’s perfectly reasonable to get all As.
Many of my friends have maintained a 4.0. </p>
<p>Second, I really don’t think it lowers your chances. If your school weights grades, that helps. Some colleges really respect the rigor of the courses you take and take that into account. Depends on the school, of course, but they know what you’re doing is harder. </p>
<p>Of course if you’re shooting for an ivy league that accepts only 4.0s, it’s probably not the best choice. I know of several people who hoped so and just one grade pushed them to a 3.9. </p>
<p>IB is more for the experience, I think, not for helping you get into college.</p>
<p>haha not at all ibstudent! i just said mit cause hes the only person i know here doing the ib program cause i was typing my post when you posted yours.</p>
<p>Did your grades suffer significantly when you joined IB? And also, what courses are you taking? Thanks!</p>
<p>Yeah, they did in the beginning. My first semester freshman year was terrible. But I learned, and grew, and now I have a 3.7 unweighted. Which is Ok for me. I just got accepted to my #1 school, and I’m satisfied. </p>
<p>I’m taking IB Biology HL, chem (last year), env. systems SL (this year), Math SL, French SL, English HL, History HL and TOK.</p>
<p>haha… if you work at it… you can maintain a 4.0. For me right now, junior year… I’m looking at maybe a B-B+ for English HL and a B-B+ for Chemistry HL.</p>
<p>You don’t have to be a genius to get all A’s in IB.</p>
<p>And regarding cursing out IB… I’ve done so countless times already.</p>
<p>@oolonn haha, it’s good to know that someone else is in the same boat as me! I’ve talked to my friends, and none of them seem worried. /: </p>
<p>@IBstudent92 and @MIThopeful16 oh man. D: So basically, there’s a lot of writing, right? That’s not a problem, since I’m a pretty strong writer. But what about the tests? Are they passable? And when I say passable, I mean, is it pretty easy to get A’s if you study? My only problem is the really specific questions, the one that your teacher didn’t even go over but expects you to know. Those are killer. Are there a lot of those? And what about the homework load? Also, I’ve heard that there’s a lot of summer work in IB. Is that true? </p>
<p>I’m so sorry for all the questions, I’m just really curious and my guidance counselor isn’t helping very much! Thanks you guys!</p>
<p>If anything… I can soundly say IB is all writing.</p>
<p>Of all the IB style tests I’ve had… they are passable. My history test… that was hell.</p>
<p>If you know you’re stuff, know how to do more than just spit random facts on a subject, you’ll do fine.</p>
<p>Again I refer to my IB History class. 90% of that class is historiography and analysis. All our class time is spent either having a debate on analysis, or learning about a new period.</p>
<p>If you could, I’d ask to see an old IB Exam or some past IB questions and how they graded it.</p>
<p>How come it’s always IB kids who are worrying about the differences between AP and IB? </p>
<p>I took an AP course load. It was ridiculously easy. I’ve got friends who were IB students. We’re pretty much on par across the board when it comes to academics.</p>
<p>“My only problem is the really specific questions, the one that your teacher didn’t even go over but expects you to know. Those are killer. Are there a lot of those?”</p>
<p>For me the only course which that happened in was chemistry. But it depends on the teacher and how they decide to format it. But chemistry was a ton of application in new weird ways, to me. </p>
<p>Summer work - you might get some. For us our summer work was working on extended essay and cas. </p>
<p>I’d say IB students worry more because IB is sort of more binding. So they have to be certain they’re making the right choice. In AP you can choose which courses you want to take AP in, for this (the full diploma anyways) you’re either all in or all out.</p>
<p>Oh, I didn’t even see your posts, @IBstudent92 and @AeroEngineer3141! Sorry about that D: But okay, that sounds alright then. I’m taking Pre-IB Chemistry next year (no idea what I’m going to take after that) so that shouldn’t be too killer. I guess it’s just different school to school. Thank you so much!</p>
<p>@AeroEngineer3141 I think it’s because we know less about IB. Or at least, I know close to nothing about it. I didn’t even have the option of going to an AP school instead of an IB school - this school was my only option. Plus, AP is so much more common. I know tons of older high school kids and graduates who would be happy to tell me about AP, but before I came to this school, I didn’t know anyone who was in IB. Plus, my guidance counselor in middle school told me all these things about how IB is so rigorous and tough on your GPA. I’m sure it wasn’t her intention to scare me, but her comments really did intimidate me. And I’m not gonna lie, I care slightly more about my GPA than about how much I learn or how much experience I get. /: Ashamedly, my main purpose is to get into college. /: </p>
<p>So it just kind of scares me, but thank you everyone for all the help!</p>
<p>IB is more useful for the humanities-focused fields, while AP is more useful if you plan to go into math, science, engineering, etc. So it also partially depends on your future plans.</p>
<p>Also, as a general rule of thumb, AP will get you better credit for universities in the United States, while IB will get you better credit for international universities.</p>