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ok, hi ppls, I've done a message search on IB and Ap and i got so many results that still doesn't help. Some ppl say that IB is worth the same as Ap and others say IB is more. I am in a dilemma right now b/c i got calls from a full IB program school and an Ap school. I don't know what to do... Should i pursue the IB diploma and still self study the APs?? or Should i just go to the Ap school? I looked at previous posts that said AP=IB and i am so confused please help CC!!!!=)

By Ali_Liu (Ali_Liu) on Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 02:19 pm: Edit

Please reply!!!=) i already checked out the old posts!!!=) HELP!!! i need to reply to the schools soon!!!

By Congresssenator (Congresssenator) on Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 03:48 pm: Edit

IB Diploma > AP as a whole

AP > IB certficates

I'm an IB Diploma candidate and I still took AP tests on the side as insurance.

By Dkm (Dkm) on Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 03:58 pm: Edit

IB is a hell lot harder than AP....if u have IB Diploma then that is sure worth a lot...i am personally doing the IB and IA(internatiol award) (for sports)..its like a package...pass both...its worth a lot

By Ali_Liu (Ali_Liu) on Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 06:01 pm: Edit

If you have a full diploma, how many APs does that count as? Should i go for the IB diploma and still self-study easy(if any) APs???=) please help!!! I don't know what to pursue!!!

By Ali_Liu (Ali_Liu) on Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 06:03 pm: Edit

I read from a previous post that an IB diploma counts as 10 aps. 4 or more higher levels of IBs counts as 13 APs..is that right?? did anyone who got into IB dropout?sorry i am asking a lot of Qs!!=)

By Dkm (Dkm) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 06:06 am: Edit

just do 4 higher levels in ib plus 2 sl that counts a lost...the HL r woth 2 aps and SL r worth 1 aps each so u get like 10 ap all togather

By Ali_Liu (Ali_Liu) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 01:17 pm: Edit

Thanks Dkm!!

By Ali_Liu (Ali_Liu) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 01:18 pm: Edit

Do the schools allow it(4 HLs)?

By Redgrail (Redgrail) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 02:13 pm: Edit

Not all schools will allow 4HL courses. A lot of them will be quite adamant about the 6 course limit, with 3 of each (HL/SL). I pretty much agree with what was said before:
IB diploma>AP
IB certificates<AP

depending on colleges. Top tier colleges will recognize IB diploma as superior to AP, while lesser renowned institutions might not. Overall though, IB diploma is MUCH better preparation for college...

However, if you do the IB diploma program, you might not have time to self-study APs and still pass and have good ECs (especially with 4HLs or 7 courses).

I am a sophomore, so I self-study two APs now. But when I get into the IB diploma program next year, I'm pretty sure I won't have time for APs as well. . .

By Ali_Liu (Ali_Liu) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 06:04 pm: Edit

I know that you need to get prep books for Ap Tests..but do u need to get the textbooks too?
To Redgrail: which APs are you self-studying?=)

By Ali_Liu (Ali_Liu) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 06:27 pm: Edit

*help*

By Divingin (Divingin) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 07:14 pm: Edit

i did IB ... 4 HL, 2 SL ... i guarantee the work you put into it will be worth everything you learn. not necessarily how much credit your college will give you once you're there. at the u of chicago, the policy for credit is an AP 4=IB HL 6, and an AP 5=IB HL 7. everybody knows that's just ridiculous. IB is tested way differently than AP and is hecka harder. you actually have to know stuff, multiple choice isn't that big of a deal. you gotta know how to write and express yourself coherantly and efficiently.

By Drdomuch (Drdomuch) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 07:30 pm: Edit

I was in IB for about a week, because my mother changed her mind about our living arrangements. Anyways, the program was a lot more difficult than AP. I took a full schedule of IB and it was terrible. The homework was too much. I had Calculus, for example, and she assigned like 30 problems (on the first day of school!!!!) and in AP Calc AB last year, we did maybe 5 everyday. That was 9th grade. But, I think that IB would have been better as an academic challenge.

By Istalam (Istalam) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 08:22 pm: Edit

Coming from an Ap school into an IB school for my senior year and im in 5 IB classes (cuz i cant do the diploma in one year, and dang the fine arts requirement my old school didnt have lol), i talked to about 5-6 teachers about the fundamental difference between Ap and IB. They all said the same thing. AP is if your are more intellectual (IQ), you can pull of a 5 on an AP without studying its geared more to smarts, and if your in IB you cant, you actually have to work to get a 7. So AP is more for "talented minds" as a teacher said, and IB is for Hard workers who are also smart. Besides i know a person who got 3 7's on Ib's and in the same subjects get two 3's and a four in the AP exams.

By Dkm (Dkm) on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 11:37 am: Edit

Istalam...ur absolutly right...thats i thought, i really have to work to get that 7. even if ur the smartest guy in the world there is no way u gonna get a 7 without studying..

By Ali_Liu (Ali_Liu) on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 06:11 pm: Edit

IB = Hardworkers
AP = "Talented Minds"?

Just how hard do you have to work in IB? How many hours do u spend studying=)???? I really don't know which is better for me....*sigh*=) help ppls??? how hard is ib???? thanx for all the inputs so far!!!

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 07:01 pm: Edit

The only reason why AP isn't good for hardworkers is because the requirements are so loose. Like, if it was crammed into a half year course, instead of the full year, it would be almost exactly like IB. You basically learn the same thing, but IB is more busy busy, while AP is more relaxed, and seem to rely more on you just picking it up from class. While IB seem to want you to both listen in class AND study outside of class as well.

I'd say it's a lot harder to get a 7 for the IB, than it is for the 5 for AP. Most people at my school who get 6s for IB get 5s for AP, so for the person who said there's someone with a 7 and didn't get 5s. I personally think that's highly unusual. But that could be because that particular person underestimated the difficulty of the AP test. I'm here to tell you, it's easier than IB, but not by much, and the material is slightly different! So buy an AP study guide book and study if you're taking IB! Like people make the mistake of underestimating IB or AP because they think one is easier or harder than the other all the time. I'm here to tell you, DON'T!

IB is for the Taltented who are also hardworking. AP is very laxed, and so the lazy talented kids don't really have to do homework at all. While in IB, even if you are smart, if you don't study or do homework, you won't get anywhere (since homework is worth a big load). A dumbass won't get anywhere in IB you know, it's not something only hardwork will get you through, i'm just saying, before you say IB is good only for the hardworkers, i think that teacher personally meant IB is good for a wellrounded smart kid, while AP is for the lazy smart kids. IB is a hell of a lot more analytical than AP, and is loaded with a lot more work (like, the material overlapes at many points, but on the overall level, IB gives so much more homework on a harder level, that you almost have to do homework or else you won't understand the lectures). I go to a school that offers both programs BTW, that's how i know.

Personally, if i lived in the US, i would go the easy route and take AP over IB. It's seen as exactly the same anyways, and you'll save yourself all the busy-work.

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 07:12 pm: Edit

Hmmm, wait, i'm kind of hypocritical... I'm taking IB... hahaha... Anyways... here's a good guide.

If you only want credit. Take AP, it's the easy route to credits. Like seriously, there are so many programs out there that's a shitload harder than AP, but is seen as exactly the same! Is it fair? No, but it's true, and will be true for a very very very long time. Think of the A-levels, and obviously IB.

If you want an overall academic experience, i think you should take IB. People who survive IB, can easily laugh through situations which are stressful for an AP student. I'm not kidding you. But is it worthit? You're the one to decide.

It IS a very hard decision. I choose IB though, because it opens up more doors around the world. AP opens doors in the USA. But there are other great school's around the world i could always attend, and that's the reason why i choose IB. But if you're sticking with USA, then take AP. There's no use for taking IB. Until it gets the recognition it deserves anyways...

There recently has been a person on these boards who HATE IB so much, his sole purpose on these boards was to insult me and every IB student on the board! He probably was overwhelmed by the workload. Eh, i personally think it could be harder (considering kids in Korea and Japan are still a year ahead of AP or IB).

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 07:21 pm: Edit

One more thing. I probably won't show up on these boards for a while. School started. And yes, the teachers already assigned homework! IB is terrible it, LIKES to stress you out (my teacher all say it's designed to make you think efficiently, so i guess stress can get you there). Within days, i'll probably be swamped with homework. So much so, i probably won't even go on MSN for a few weeks (unless i don't want to socialize with friends at movies, or sports games anymore, but i don't want to switch that for the internet, it's not worthit).

The good thing is that it teaches you to be organized. It gets your priorities straight, and i think, the earlier you learn these skills the better.

By Dkm (Dkm) on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 11:56 am: Edit

i like ur extra long posts Tuannguyen

By Tsdad (Tsdad) on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 02:56 pm: Edit

At USC each IB HL equals 6 credits; AP equals 4 credits. My son entered this year with a total of 24 credits: 18 for his three HLs; 2 for his IB diploma with a score over 30; and, 4 for his Spanish AP. These are general education credits. Some IB courses can be used to substitute for specific USC courses. Based on his Spanish placement test he was able to enter as a fifth semester Spanish student.

Although I haven't looked lately, in the past an IB Diploma holder entering a Florida public university was given 30 credit hours.

My son went to a school with a program accredited by the IBO from primary school through 12th grade (www.IBO.org). The IB is an intense, coordinated, universal, approach to education, stressing critical thinking rather than rote memorization. The same material is covered in the same courses throughout the world. There is also a major stress on foreign languages and learning about non-western history and thought.

In order to graduate with a Diploma (as best as I can recall) you will need to take over 11th and 12th grades three higher-level courses and three standard level courses spread among the arts and sciences. It will be difficult to do well in these courses without adequate preparation in middle school and 9th and 10th grades. One of these course must be in a language other than English. You will also have to take a course called Theory of Knowledge, perform a minimum of 60 credit hours of community service, and write an extended research essay. My son's essay was on the role of Jewish youth groups in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. The essay, portfolios (for TOK and art-related courses), and the final examinations held in April/May of 12th grade (which are spread over 2-3 weeks) are graded by teachers from all around the world.

My son's experience in the IB program was enhanced by going to an international school. By the time he was in the upper school only about half the 60 or so students in his grade were Americans. It made for some very interesting, and sometimes tense, discussions. Doing well in the exams was critical to the non-American students since they needed the IB Diploma in order to be accepted to colleges and universities in their own countries.

My son's school can be found at: www.wis.edu.

By Ali_Liu (Ali_Liu) on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 04:59 pm: Edit

Thank you so much Tuannguyen !!! You're right, it is a very hard decision!!! The problem is that i don't know if i'll do well in IB,let alone receive the diploma!!! Does every IB kid have to do HW till 3am??? How much pressure is it if you do both IB/AP?? Thanks so much!!! I am so scared!!!!! haha!!!

By Escaria (Escaria) on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 11:07 pm: Edit

tuan - fellow iber ;)
what's your email?

By Manowar (Manowar) on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 11:41 pm: Edit

i am in the IB program now and i gotta tell ya that its a hell of a lot of work. last year i pulled all nighters and still couldnt finish all my work. IB=slavery in my opinion. take AP classes you can concentrate ur efforts on subjects you enjoy than those of which r imposed upon u.

By Gladiator0489 (Gladiator0489) on Sunday, September 07, 2003 - 12:12 am: Edit

IB = hardwork
AP = gifted minds

In Chicago, the IB is not such a big thing! A lot of HSs offer the IB Diploma and the kids who get into IB definitely make it to the diploma! But I was accepted to the city IB program @ one of the top ranked and oldest IB schools in the US and saw that it was a HELLUVA ton of work and studying! AP ends in May.. IB equals time consuming labor! but if i had a choice again - go for IB! it prepares u really well. and saying ur an international baccalaureate sounds so much cooler than high school graduate. choose IB!

By Ali_Liu (Ali_Liu) on Sunday, September 14, 2003 - 01:24 am: Edit

Thanks everyone!!my problem is that i am not sure if i can make it to the diploma..i'll work hard, of course...

By Ssjveira (Ssjveira) on Sunday, September 14, 2003 - 09:41 pm: Edit

Hello everyone!! I'm a new user to this board. Since I'm too lazy to read what you all read, I'll just start talking. If I repeat myself from what you already said, I apologize in advance. What do I have to say? Well, I'm an IB diploma recipient. If any of you are in St. Lucie County in Florida, you know what school I went to. Do I think IB or AP is harder? Well, I think the life of an IB student is harder than an AP student. But the tests? I would have to say maybe AP tests, unless you take all HL IB exams(which you can't do). If you guys have any other comments, I'll be back, if i remember to come back, lol.

By Ssjveira (Ssjveira) on Sunday, September 14, 2003 - 09:45 pm: Edit

Oh, by the way, the diploma isn't hard to get to, i didn't study that much and i got the diploma. My scores weren't the best (i passed all of them though), but my school's pass rate was the highest it's ever been. Well, later to you peoples (bad grammar, i know)

By Pseudo (Pseudo) on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 03:39 pm: Edit

what can you do if your school only offers AP courses?

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 06:22 pm: Edit

Take AP... Top colleges ONLY care if you take the toughest courses in your school or not. IF your school offers both IB and AP, then take whatever's considered harder (at most AP/IB schools, IB is considered harder).

By Asndfkas (Asndfkas) on Monday, October 06, 2003 - 12:20 pm: Edit

It's so weird that people here get to PICK the high school they want to attend. Here in good ol central NJ, it's one public high school and that's it. (unless you want to attend one of a sparse amount of religious schools most of which aren't esp. prestigious)

By Dkm (Dkm) on Monday, October 06, 2003 - 04:11 pm: Edit

i found an article which says the IB is a lot better than AP...
http://www.ibo.org/ibo/index.cfm?contentid=D7713C18-EB5D-602E-EF3E14BC40AED4B6&method=display&language=EN

By Kelsey (Kelsey) on Monday, October 06, 2003 - 06:37 pm: Edit

ok.. I've read through this entire conversation and the only real question thats still bothering me is whether or not IB is worth it. I am in my sophomore year, and I'm taking one AP class, AP euro, and I have a 97% right now, the class doesn't seem very hard. But do any of you know how colleges treat IB diplomas and whether or not they stay true it their word, because I was told they give 80% preference to IB graduates. btw I am planning on taking a full IB schedule my Junior and Senior year and going for the diploma, but I am still having doubts... any input you have would be great... thanx

By Istalam (Istalam) on Monday, October 06, 2003 - 08:55 pm: Edit

of course the article will say IB is better, because its from the IB website, I.B. diploma is crappy because u have to take like IB english even if u dont want to. U can get alot more credit by being in 7 ap classeds than 7 IB's cuz most high schools only allow 3-4 HL's, and colleges tend to laugh at Sl's

By Redgrail (Redgrail) on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 05:27 am: Edit

Istalam -

What you failed to notice is that the article critized both the AP and IB programs. The article, though published on the IBO's website, is, in fact, written by John Hare, a postgraduate student at the University of Bath. There are even rebuttals by AP and IB officials!

Additionally, colleges do not "laugh" at SL classes. The commitment it takes to do the full IB Diploma Programme is valued a lot more than taking seven examinations.

A four HL full IB Diploma Programme schedule is hard. Its harder than a 7 AP schedule. Its probably harder than a 15 AP schedule.


If college advanced credit is more important to you, go take all of the AP exams as self-studies.
If a quality college preparatory education is more important, do a full IB.

By Dkm (Dkm) on Monday, October 13, 2003 - 03:58 pm: Edit

IB sl is a lot better than any AP class...the only stupid thing about the IB is that it makes u do 2 languages...THAT IS THE STUPIDEST THING U CAN DO...i have to put up with french SL altough i have no intention of speaking french in my life again..caz i already know 4 langauges(but my skool offers none of them) i would have rather done physics or some other useful subject and get credit for it in college. other than that the IB is great college...most of the work we do is thaught in the freshmen and sophmore years in univesity.

By Divingin (Divingin) on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 09:30 pm: Edit

IB is really for the whole rounded person. AP is just like whatever you're good at and like and are interested in. i did IB, it was good for the experience but you sure get cheated out of credit in college

By Icarus (Icarus) on Saturday, October 18, 2003 - 05:08 am: Edit

I'm not sure what you're talking about Dkm - IB doesn't require two languages of you. As a matter of fact, it is quite difficult to take two languages while going for an IB diploma. Imho, IB really isn't that difficult of a program. As to whether it is worth it or not.... to be brutally honest, i dont' think so. First off, it it ridiculously expensive. For that expense, there isn't much benefit in college admissions unless applying out of country (since IB is recognized internationally). Many argue that IB is better respected than AP - i tend to disagree.

By Divingin (Divingin) on Saturday, October 18, 2003 - 01:46 pm: Edit

yes you do have to take 2 langs total; 1 primary and 1 secondary/foreign.

By Tuannguyen (Tuannguyen) on Sunday, October 19, 2003 - 01:52 pm: Edit

Icarus,

Ummm.. You DO have to have 2 languages for the IB Diploma...

By Giri (Giri) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 01:22 pm: Edit

I am confused whether as to take the IB Diploma. I live in Rio de Janeiro and I want to study in the United States. But the American School here sucks as they do not give good choices for your IB Diploma. I have to choose History, English and Biology at Higher Level. But I hate History. Should I go ahead and do the diploma? I am a really good student and if I have the motivation, I can do it! But is it worth doing the Diploma with such bad options? I am not eligible to take any languages at Higher Level, so hell!
WHAT SHOULD I DO? PLEASE HELP!!

By Gabushida (Gabushida) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 02:52 pm: Edit

I live in NY, and I dont think anyone in my school ever even hears f the IB program until they start the whole college process, and at that point its just when they admissions people at info sessions talk about how you should take the hardest courses and can get credit for AP/IB courses. I took 3 AP classes last year and I am taking 6 this year. It would be EXTREMELY hard to fit in a 7th at my school, since your schedule would have to fall together PERFECTLY (I would know, I wanted to take 8!). The AP classes are NOT for "lazy-smart" people. Many of my friends are VERY hardworking, and the classes are definitely at a fast pace (although I think this partly has to do w/ being in NY - we start in September, but other states start earlier, so less time between start and the test in May)

By Sailorgirl1985 (Sailorgirl1985) on Tuesday, December 02, 2003 - 07:00 pm: Edit

Giri-I'm in HL Math, English, History and Biology. I'm a math science person and I don't find History to be overly challenging. Of course the difficulty of the course will vary slightly between schools but it's not that challenging. Bio is another story

By Giri (Giri) on Friday, December 05, 2003 - 05:16 pm: Edit

Thank you, Sailorgirl1985, for answering my question! I thought that I might not receive any answer at all. So, how is IB Bio actually? You have hinted that it is hard? in what way?
History might be boring but yeah it is worth taking it for the IB Diploma! I am an A student in History! So may be I can do it!!

By Sailorgirl1985 (Sailorgirl1985) on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 02:40 pm: Edit

I love biology, espescially my teacher. But the nature of the subject is such that you spend hours and hours memorizing stuff. I'll spend 10-12 hours preping for tests, I never spend/spent that much for Chemistry or Physics.
I do well in history simply because I don't procrastinate on all the reading assignments not because I have any incredible writing/analytical ability. I really like my history teacher's philosophy, if you do all the reading assignments on time of reasonable quality, participate in class discussions and turn papers in on time you get an A regardless of the brilliance of the paper. You get points on your History internal assessment for having the write word count and correctly formatting your bibliography! You'll be fine there's a fair amount of reading but not too much. We get 4-6 hours of homework a week, it's mostly readings and essay questions in response to the readings. It's not too bad.
As a senior applying to college I'd say doing the diploma does give you an edge and it does prepare you for college. Or at least that's what my friends who are freshman and sophomores in college tell me and the admissions officers who i've spoken to.

By Wrinklefiber (Wrinklefiber) on Friday, January 09, 2004 - 01:48 am: Edit

I took an AP US History exam and an IB ANthropology SL exam within one week of each other. I walked into the Anthro exam on 15-16 May having reread over five weeks everything my teacher had handed out or assigned (maybe 1500 pages). I went to the AP US History exam without ever having taken the AP class (I took honors; it's a long story), plus I took the test the year AFTER my Honors US History course. I spent maybe a total of 8 hours studying for the AP exam.

Despite the differences in my studying, I can conclusively say that the IB test was much harder. I got perfect scores on both, though.

Anyway, even an IB SL is as hard as an AP, if not harder. And those of you considering IB, consider that many colleges don't respect it enough to give credit for SL grades, even though in classroom time and such they are comparable to an AP exam.

By Tinysnow10 (Tinysnow10) on Friday, January 09, 2004 - 08:43 pm: Edit

Hey,

I neeed help, this has been sticking in my head for a while. I'm an eight grader soon too face a really hard decision, there is two high schools one is really new, and has all of my elemantry friends are going there, but that high school has no IB, and another highschool has IB, but it seems so hard, because of the comments about how it is time consuming and stuff, they say there is a lot of essays, and i hate writing. But IB seems too have a good reputation towards college, and i need to have scolarships ahh, i want to do band in high school, and well i want to try to be validvictorian what should i do?

By Jaguarteen363 (Jaguarteen363) on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 09:50 pm: Edit

if everyone says colleges think ib and ap r the same y dont people take ap and get to enjoy high school.


oh also is ib really that hard explain a days work to me thank you i am really gratful

By Binarystar (Binarystar) on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 02:32 am: Edit

I'm in the IB program and I don't find it to be challenging enough.

I'm taking the following courses:

HL: Chemistry, Physics, Math, and History.

SL: English A1, Spanish B

The thing is, I could easily excel if I took all 6 of my classes as HL. But the stupid policy won't let me take more than four. So I won't get any credit in most colleges for my language classes. Plus, I am in the same class with everyone, so I am basically being prepared for the HL stuff. Imagine taking an honors course that does everything the AP course does, but you aren't allowed to take the AP exam. Bull.

The thing I like about the AP is that it will allow you to challenge yourself in every direction. IB limits that.

By Binarystar (Binarystar) on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 02:40 am: Edit

"Besides i know a person who got 3 7's on Ib's and in the same subjects get two 3's and a four in the AP exams."

Well that's a stupid thing to say. The material they cover is different, so what do you expect?

By Meahorse (Meahorse) on Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - 07:21 pm: Edit

Hi--I'm a sophmore at a school that offers AP and IB. If I decide to take AP, it would be all AP classes, so it's not the credits that matter to me. I'm involved in other things, dance, a job, church, UIL team, etc. I'm a good hardworking student, but I don't want to be doing homework till midnight. Also, all of my friends, and I mean all, are doing IB. Please give me some advice!

By Nerdish (Nerdish) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 04:46 pm: Edit

Okay, I'm bringing this topic back from the dead. My questions are:

Which *looks* better on a college application: AP or IB?

Are only 4 HL's allowed during the two-year program or are 4 allowed each year?

Thanks.