My son is currently a sophomore in an IB program. Unfortunately, because of a lousy IB math teacher, he decided to replace the IB math by taking AP Calc AB (followed by AP Calc BC in Junior year). He will take the IB math test, however, to fulfill the requirement for the IB diploma. The question that I have is: in a situation like this, does he need to take the AP exams for the Calc AB and Calc BC when he’s fulfilling the IB math requirement by taking the IB math test?
No, if he`s going to take the IB exam, ther is no need for him to take the AP test.
He can take the class and decide to not take the exam, if that`s your question.
One factor is whether it’s an SL or HL class–colleges do not usually give credit for SL classes. D2 took SL Chemistry and self studied the things that didn’t overlap for the AP exam.
My son’s planning on taking an SL math in his senior year after AP Calc AB in sophomore year and AP Calc BC in junior year, in order to fulfill the IB diploma requirement. Can’t he then take HL math test?
If he is taking an AP class, there is no reason for him to ignore the test. It is another data point for his resume.
Isn’t it advisable to take the AP exams for the SL IB classes so that you can get college credit for them if you score high enough? We’re debating the same thing here at my house.
Two things:
I would advise NOT taking the IB Math HL exams after Calc AB/BC without taking the Math HL class. I have heard that Math HL is the hardest of all the math courses a high school student can take. Don’t know if you can self study for Math HL. Why doesn’t he take Math HL his senior year? If he get a 6 or 7 on the Math HL exams, he’ll probably place into 2nd year calculus in college. Where do you think he’ll go to college? Some colleges now won’t accept AP credits earned before the junior year of high school. Some now won’t give you any credit for AP classes.
One more point - there are at least 3-4 components to each IB exam. It is a marathon. My senior D has 14 separate exams between May 4 and May 22nd, and she already did some junior year. Your son just may not have the time to self study IB Math HL.
On a side note, I feel your pain milwaukeegirl, D is three feet deep into IB exam studying. She also has 12 exams coming up, having finished two last year. In the end, the IB did nothing to help her with acceptances though and I am so wishing she didn’t have this stress that in the end really doesn’t matter (her school has been picked).
I hear what you’re saying, NEPatsGirl. Three of my D’s exams are actually APs. Kind of nice the courses were designed IB/AP. All the smart kids are in IB at D’s school. She never considered doing all APs.