{"id":7958,"date":"2019-02-06T12:00:47","date_gmt":"2019-02-06T12:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/educatius.org\/?post_type=edu-news&p=7958"},"modified":"2023-11-08T11:57:16","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T11:57:16","slug":"ap-courses-vs-ib-program","status":"publish","type":"edu-news","link":"https:\/\/www.educatius.org\/edu-news\/ap-courses-vs-ib-program","title":{"rendered":"AP Courses vs IB program"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AP Courses vs IB program<\/h2>

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Six differences international high school students need to know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is the most important factor for international students when selecting a US high school to apply to?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For academically motivated students, it\u2019s the courses that you can choose and how they will prepare you for university. The presence of Advance Placement (AP) courses and\/or an International Baccalaureates (IB) Diploma program are indicators of a strong academic program at your desired school. But what is the difference between AP and IB?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. AP and IB Introduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both AP and IB courses give motivated high school students an opportunity to challenge themselves to pursue higher-level studies. They can be found at USA public, private and boarding high schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AP courses follow curriculum mandated by the US College Board and are designed for students to earn college credits before entering university. In some cases, this can fast track students through college and save them money!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, AP courses stand out on a student\u2019s college application. College admissions committees can see that an applicant is able to handle challenging workload and subject materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International students can take one or more individual high school courses depending on interest and availability at a given school. English Language and Composition, US History, Calculus AB, World History, Psychology, Statistics and Chemistry are some of the most popular AP courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IB program is mandated by the International Baccalaureates Organization and developed to be an internationally- recognized diploma program where students complete a rigorous two-year program during their junior and senior years of high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Global popularity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

AP courses originate in the USA; therefore, the majority of courses can be found at USA high schools. Also, a student may be more likely to find a USA college that accepts them for college credit. Here\u2019s a link that indicates which Universities and colleges worldwide accept which AP courses – and for what level of credit.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IB Diploma Programme is designed to be internationally- recognized at top universities worldwide. This is a great option for students with a global perspective. And, the IB Diploma Programme requires that all graduates have mastered more than one language, which puts international students at an advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Curriculum vs Exams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

AP courses are offered at one level except for certain subjects (such as Physics 1, Physics 2). All exams are graded on a 1-5 system, with 5 being the highest score a student can achieve. AP exams are more flexible: you don\u2019t have to take an AP course in order to take the exam. However, to obtain college credit, a student needs to achieve a 3 or higher on the exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IB Diploma program requires students to complete a two-year of studies with a specific set of courses, the Theory of Knowledge course, a 4,000-word extended essay, and 150 hours of creativity, action and service. If you don\u2019t want to earn an IB diploma, you can sometimes take a few IB courses and get certificates for individual subject. IB courses are offered at a standard level and a higher level. Students take exams with the highest score of a 7, but students are required to enroll in an IB course to take the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n