<p>^well, you said you didn’t read (I’m assuming you probably didn’t read my first post asking to address the specific problems either), so I shall reiterate what I wrote above:</p>
<p>The issue is not with the IB program per se; it’s my school-specific situation. As I said earlier, in my school, the IB and AP curricula, for the most part, do not diverge; 4 of the 6 classes (all HLs) are the exact same as the APs (same teacher, same class, same time, IB/AP students mixed together, nearly same assignments), except for biology. Therefore, I am trying to understand what great benefits IB would have in that regard if they’re exactly the same classes. As for the SLs, I’m assuming you didn’t read that either; I’m worried my school does not offer enough SLs to make the program a viable option for me (for more information, please read comments on the first page).</p>
<p>It depends on the school and its teachers. AP or IB is better based on how your teachers will teach it. No one can give you an answer on which is better.</p>
<p>another advantage to the IB program is that some universities outside of the United States (im thinking Cambridge and Oxford specifically) recognize and appreciate IB more than AP.</p>
<p>I’m taking IB Physics HL right now, simultaneously with AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, and last year, when I took IB Physics SL, I took AP Physics B. </p>
<p>The AP Physics B is virtually all encompassing and teaches you a great deal of the things you need to know for the IB exam. The AP book we use is Gioncoli, and it’s by far a greater source of information than the Cambridge IB book, in addition, a lot of the material learned in Physics B and IB physics is covered on the Physics C’s. For Physics C Mechanics, if you’ve taken IB physics or AP physics B you’d have to TRY to fail… </p>
<p>Also, in regards to IB History HL which history is it? If it’s European History or History of the Americas, there’s only one paper difference between that and the SL exam for Contemporary History… you could very well take the HL class and test in the SL Contemp exam.</p>
<p>IB SL Math courses: Math Studies, Math Methods, and Further Mathematics.</p>
<p>Math Studies is the class for the liberal arts, mathematically challenged person… It’s basically an all encompassing math class short of trig and calculus. </p>
<p>Math Methods is basically all of the stuff in math studies PLUS calculus. Not to mention, the Math studies class is intensely less difficult and the exam is wayyy easier. </p>
<p>Further Mathematics is a SL class that must be taken in conjunction with Math HL. It’s basically the same material plus an extra option or two… </p>
<p>Math HL: a *****. -__- There’s everything you learn in SL Math, plus calculus (similar to ap calc) however… the difference between ap calc questions and ib calc questions is essentially the methods of thinking you need to use to solve them. Math HL is not a math class about math… but a math class about problem solving and thinking to find solutions on a lateral level.</p>
<p>My school does not offer AP physics B or IB physics HL; the two options are IB physics SL and AP physics C. The AP physics C course would teach both Mechanics and Electromagnetism. Generally, AP physics C is regarded as a much more advanced course than IB physics SL, both at my school and credit-wise (the school course descriptions indirectly admit it, i. e. suggesting IB physics SL as an alternative for those who aren’t “ready” for AP physics), and, as I do plan on going into math/science, I will take AP physics C.</p>
<p>Also, you mention:</p>
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<p>I was under the impression that AP physics C is always calculus-based, while IB physics SL and AP physics B are not. There seems to be a very large gap between them in that regard.</p>
<p>As for history, I will check if that’s a possibility, although my school may not allow SL testing in that class.</p>
<p>As for the math, Math HL and AP calculus BC are the exact same course with exact same teacher, same time, etc, and for the most part, everyone does the same things. I will take the course no matter what.</p>
<p>I’m excited about the class, actually. Technically, I’m in the first year of IB math now, and I’m loving it.</p>
<p>In my junior year, I decided to do the diploma. Then, after 2 months or so, I looked at AP and found that AP is better for someone looking at science/math majors.</p>
<p>Physics C:Mech is much more difficult than the mech part of IB physics HL. IB has no calculus anywhere in physics. Physics C:E&m is much harder than the e&m part of IB phys. I believe it is rightfully so that AP gets more credit than IB.</p>
<p>Even Economics, etc. I learnt a lot more in AP than in IB.</p>
<p>I think it all depends on your major. For liberal arts I think IB is great for them. All the TOK, EE, CAS, etc requirements are really great for students looking at those majors.
Good IB scores require a good work ethic? Maybe. Not definitely. But If you need to get good scores in your AP, SATs, or anything, i think you will probably need a good work ethic.</p>
<p>I’ll say it depends on whatever major you choose. I chose AP after close scrutiny of both programs. It all depends on you.</p>
<p>Eh, I think since your school offers such a limited amount of maths/sciences with IB, AP might be the better route for you. </p>
<p>However, as someone who has/is taking all of the IB and AP physics courses offered, I’d say they’re equally difficult in their own respect. I mean, by many Physics HL is regarded as one of the hardest courses a person can take in IB, and it also depends on the teacher. I guess if your teacher does a poor job of teaching you the material then in comparison to a more regimented course like AP physics C E&M, AP may appear more difficult. However, perhaps I’m lucky, but my experiences have been great with IB. But, then again, my school has had the program for around 30 years. </p>
<p>@Binders
Sorry, I assumed you’d be taking calculus anyways; since I took calc when I took physics b i forgot that it would be more difficult in physics c if you had not taken calculus. I guess it just varies from school to school. I’m going into a physics/engineering major and I feel as if my success with the IB program is what contributed to my acceptance at Cornell, however, it might be entirely different for you.</p>