High School Course Selection: AP vs IB

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are available to students in many high schools today. Historically, AP courses have been more prevalent, but IB curricula continue to be implemented in school districts around the country. Both programs offer a rigorous high school curriculum and provide an opportunity for students to earn college credit. Students and parents need to understand the differences between the two tracks. The programs are very different from one another, and neither holds a “one size fits all” philosophy.

Before enrolling in AP or IB courses, students should conduct a thorough analysis to determine if this is an appropriate track for their future goals.

Below are some basic differences between AP and IB courses.

ORIGINS

Advanced Placement (AP)

The AP program was developed in the US. The goal of the AP program is to help students prepare for college by taking rigorous, advanced courses. There is no specific number of AP courses that a student must take. They may take as many AP courses as they like, provided they manage their time and stay on track with their academic goals.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB was developed in Switzerland. The intention of the IB program is to be regarded as an internationally recognized diploma. To earn the diploma, a student must take a prescribed number of courses in a range of subjects. Students may take a few IB courses and still not earn the IB diploma, though this goes against the IB program's original mission.

PROGRAM GOAL AND EMPHASIS

Advanced Placement (AP)

AP courses are designed to teach students specific content and then test their knowledge on the AP exam. Depending on the score earned, a college may or may not accept this score as incoming college credit. It is best to confirm the required score with each college.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The IB program places greater emphasis on writing and critical thinking. Earning an IB diploma also requires a college-style research paper and participation in extracurricular activities.

CLASSES AND EXAMS

Students must be enrolled in an IB class to take an IB exam. Students can take AP exams without being enrolled in a class.

WHICH DO COLLEGES PREFER?

Students who do not earn an IB diploma are generally not at a disadvantage, since not many high schools offer the program. Students cannot be penalized if the program is not available to them.

Colleges, especially the more selective ones, prefer to see that a student has taken the most challenging course load available at their high school. Rather than being concerned about IB versus AP, students should be focused on taking the most rigorous classes available to them at their high school.

Students must understand the importance of course selection in high school. Working with a private college admissions coach in Brentwood, TN can provide strategic guidance, along with college application help.