<p>What is an IB exam? Is there an official website for it? If so, may someone please inform me of the exam and site.</p>
<p>An IB exam is one adminstered by the International</a> Baccalaureate Organization. The IB system is used commonly abroad and at many "international schools". You can also get an IB diploma by taking a bunch of IB exams, writing essays and other stuff. Colleges consider IB exams equivilent to AP exams for admissions and for giving credit. The exams are graded out of 7.</p>
<p>IB students are expected to take 6 classes, one in each of 6 "groups" (subject areas): </p>
<p>Language A1: native language
Second Language: offered at three levels: A2 (fluent), B (foreign language), Ab initio (beginner)
Individuals and societies: social studies
Experimental sciences
Mathematics and computer science
The Arts</p>
<p>(It is possible not to take a Group 6 - Art, and double up in one of the other groups.)</p>
<p>Each of the groups has several courses you can choose from. For example, under Experimental sciences, you can choose Bio, Chem, Physics, Environmental Systems, and Design Technology. Not only do you have to choose the course, but you also have to choose the level. Most courses are offered at standard level (SL) or higher level (HL). A typical diploma student takes 3 classes at HL and 3 at SL. Some students take 4 at HL and 2 at SL. Colleges only award credit for classes taken at HL, so there is a definite advantage to challenging yourself. As you might expect, the HL curriculum is broader than that of SL.</p>
<p>The classes are only part of the IB diploma. You also have to take a course called Theory of Knowledge, fulfill a certain number of Creativity, Action, Service hours (which you can get by afterschool activities, community service), and write a research paper on a topic of your choice (the "Extended Essay").</p>
<p>You get a grade from 1-7 in each class, for a total of 42 points, with up to a possible 3 bonus points for a quality Extended Essay and TOK paper.</p>
<p>IB requires that a student take 3 SL courses and 3 HL courses (although some students take 2 SL and 4 HL). SL courses are one-year courses, so you take the SL exam at the end of the same year (either junior or senior year) you take the course. HL courses are two-year courses, so you take the HL exam at the end of your second (senior) year. </p>
<p>IB tests typically have different "papers," which can be viewed as sections. Most HL exams have Papers 1, 2 and 3, while most SL exams have only Papers 1 and 2. Depending on how your school adminsters the IB exams, some exams are taken the same day (for example, Papers 1 and 2 for an SL exam) or split into two days (for example, Papers 1 and 2 the first day and Paper 3 the second day for an HL exam). IB exams (except science exams) have no multiple choice and are mostly free response.</p>
<p>"What is an IB Exam?"</p>
<p>A concept that makes the wallet lighter, the mind broader, and the college admissions game easier.</p>
<p>Is an IB exam more or less challenging than an AP exam?</p>
<p>I think IB tests are more challenging. It's harder to get a 7 on an IB test than a 5 on the AP test. There tend to be some weird questions. Everyone this year, for instance, walking out of the test room for Physics HL after finishing, just yelled "*** WAS THAT!?"</p>