• Similarities of AP and IB

    • Both are rigorous programs devoted to educational experience with high performance expectations for students and faculty
    • Both attract highly motivated students who wish to excel academically
    • Both receive additional weight in calculating GPA
    • Both involve highly dedicated and creative teachers committed to their students, disciplines, and profession
    • Both use external assessments and evaluators to score assessments
    • Both offer extensive professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators
    • Both are recognized by most US universities for consideration for college credit or advanced standing
    • Both rely on objectivity and fairness in scoring assessments, removing personality and personal influence from the assessment system. Scores are based on the quality of wok evaluated against a set criteria or standard.

     

    Differences between AP and IB 

    Advanced Placement Program

    International Baccalaureate Program
    • National standard of excellence
    • AP consists of independent courses for students who may excel in only one or two academic disciplines
    • College level courses 
    • AP scores are based solely on the AP exam
    • AP exams are multiple choice and short-answer or essay exams
    • Exams are based on in-depth mastery of specific concepts within a given subject
    • Any student may take AP exams; IB students may take AP exams
    • AP teachers work within their discipline; independent of other academic areas
    • AP students form peer groups within individual classes
    • AP recognizes high achievement on AP exams through the AP scholars program
    • Policies are determined by national educators

     
    • International standard of excellence
    • IB is a 2 yr well-rounded education program with 6 areas of study, an extended essay, TOK and CAS
    • Comprehensive curriculum of college level work
    • IB scores are based on classroom work and on IB exams
    • IB exams are all short answer or essay exams
    • Exams are based on broad general understanding of concepts and fundamental themes
    • Only IB students enrolled in IB courses may take IB exams and receive IB credit
    • IB teachers work as a team to connect curriculum across the disciplines
    • IB seeks to create a cohort or peer group around all academics
    • Successful IB candidates receive an IB diploma for the full program or IB certificate for individual courses taken
    • Opportunities exist for the participation of the teacher and local school in shaping curriculum and international policies
     
     
    IB/AP Official Publication
Last Modified on January 28, 2021