What’s the Difference between IB and AP? Learn all you need to know about these two courses by reading the answers from the experts from the Best IB Schools in the World!
International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses offer high school students challenging coursework and excellent college preparation. Although IB and AP are two of the more well-known international curricula in the World, there is a big difference between them. Keep reading this article to learn about the differences between them!
What is International Baccalaureate (IB)?
The International Baccalaureate (IB)is a European-based academic program for children and teenagers made of four basic programs: Primary Years Program (PYP -3-12 years old), Middle Years Program (MYP – 12-16 years old) for children, and IB Diploma Program (DP) or the Career-related Program (CP) for international high school students(16 -18 years old). These two programs aim to prepare teenagers for college-level work across crucial subject areas through a holistic approach. IB encourages interdisciplinary learning by taking subjects in 6 different disciplines interlaced to significant experiences (CAS) and promoting critical thinking (EE). IB has had multiple external assessments throughout the last two years of high school.
What is Advanced Placement (AP)?
Advanced Placement (AP) offers college-level courses designed for high school students. The AP program aims to connect students to college success by increasing their academic competency. AP allows students to choose between 38 subjects and prepares them for college-level work. AP courses culminate with an external assessment in May of each year.
3 Key Differences between IB and AP
Here below are listed the main differences between IB and AP:
1. Availability
AP classes are available at over 22,000 schools in the USA but can also be found internationally; there are estimated to be 4,964 IB World schools in 153 countries (1821 IB Schools in the US).
2. Classes
AP offers 38 subject-specific classes designed for individual study. IB offers 56 classes (counting HL and SL separately) that are generally broader and require a holistic approach.
3. Assessment
AP classes culminate with the end-of-year exams (open answer and multiple-choice, some with portfolios or other assessments); during IB classes, students prepare teacher assessments of classwork, lab work, fieldwork, and oral performance, then, at the end of the year they take final exams (open answers, essays, and data response questions).
Despite these considerable differences between the two programs, they can lead to college credit and placing out of entry-level college coursework. Furthermore, both of the classes they offer are considered college-level.