A Comparison of the AP and the IB Programs

                                                       

The AP and IB Programs at Northport High School are both successful and highly respected by major colleges and universities throughout the nation.  Each program is designed to enrich the high school experience and offer students an excellent opportunity to prepare for advanced study and potentially earn college credit.  All students are strongly encouraged to take AP as well as IB exams.

 

AP Program

 

IB Program

National Standard of Excellence

 

International Standard of Excellence

College level courses

 

Comprehensive curriculum of college level work

Encourages academically talented and highly motivated students

 

Encourages academically talented and highly motivated students

AP exams test what the student knows.

 

IB exams concentrate on the analysis of what the student knows.

Students generally take AP exams in the areas of strengths.

One exam in each of the six different subject areas is required for the IB Diploma.  Students must prepare in all areas, those of strengths as well as weaknesses.

 

Students do not have to be enrolled in an authorized school.

 

Students must be enrolled in an authorized IB school.

Exams are graded externally through Educational Testing Services (ETS) and student marks are assigned.

Scores include teacher assessments as well as external assessments constructed and graded by educators from throughout the world.

 

Exams are based on specific content of courses with objective questions and essays.

 

Exams are based on broad general understanding of concepts and fundamental themes;  questions emphasize essay writing.

Oral exam in foreign language

Oral assessment in English, foreign language, and other disciplines

 

 

Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Action and Service

 

Policies are determined by national educators.

Policies are determined by international educators.

 

 

Recognition by Colleges

 

Our IB Diploma Alumni Classes of 2006 and 2007 are attending the

following colleges and universities:

 

Harvard University

Emory University

McGill University

Cornell University

Carnegie Mellon University

Lafayette College

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Boston University

SUNY Geneseo

Brown University

Cooper Union

Catholic University

University of Chicago

University of North Carolina

Northeastern University

Lehigh University

Vassar University

SUNY Binghamton

Wesleyan University

University of Maryland

Georgetown University

New York University

Brandeis University

Gordon College

James Madison University

University of Richmond

Villanova University

Johns Hopkins University

College of William & Mary

Mount Holyoke College

George Washington University

Pennsylvania State University

Lynchburg College

Boston College

 

 

 

 

Colleges generally recognize AP courses and IB Higher Level courses as being on a par.  The extent to which colleges will give credit or placement varies among colleges, but generally if they accept AP scores (usually a score of at least 3), then they also accept IB scores (usually a score of at least 5).  For example, if a college will give credit for a score of 4 on an AP exam, it will also give credit for a score of a 6 on an IB exam.  Some colleges give credit for certain scores on AP or IB exams; others will allow students to place out of lower level classes, but will not give credit.  Please note specific policies regarding credit and/or placement is determined by each institution of higher learning. 

 

Click here to search for University Recognition on the IBO website.

 

Below are listed some comments by University Admissions Officers:

 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Director of Admissions:

 

“Send us prepared students a la IB … it is the best high school prep curriculum an American school can offer.”

 

Duke University, Director of Admissions:

 

 “One of the advantages of an IB Curriculum is its structure and quality.  It’s a coordinated program, well established, well known, and well respected.  We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific.”

 

Emory University, Director of Undergraduate Admissions:

 

 “Advanced Placement and IB examinations for most highly selective institutions are the ‘gold standard’ in terms of quality and in terms of predicting success on our campuses.”

 

Princeton University, Director of Undergraduate Admissions:

 

 “The IB is a first rate program, one we are familiar with, and it prepares students well for a university like ours.”

 

Harvard University, Assistant Dean of Admissions:

 

 “IB is well known to us as excellent preparation.  Success in an IB Program correlates well with success at Harvard.  We are pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript.”

 

University of California:

 

 “…In short, what is in the program of IB, the emphasis on the linkages between the disciplines being studied … are excellent indicators to us that the student has done the work that we require … the student will bring a lot to the institution.  IB students exhibit evidence of determination, tenacity, motivation, and all these qualities are very valued by all of us as we do our selection for admission.”

 

AP or IB?

 

Whether to take all or some AP courses, be an IB diploma student, be an IB certificate student, or take a mixture of AP and IB courses needs to be a matter of student preference, interest, and learning style.  Some students who have taken both AP and IB classes feel that AP courses are geared more to learning the facts and IB courses are more geared to analyzing the facts. 

 

The IB diploma is a more comprehensive program than either the AP program or IB certificate program where students take one or more AP or IB courses in the subjects which interest them.

 

IB Alumni of 2005-2007 at Northport  High School comment on their sense of preparedness, self-confidence, research skills, the ability to manage their time, and the willingness to be actively engaged in their own learning.

 

“IB encouraged me to work constantly and to my potential…I learned determination and self-discipline and was well prepared for the challenge of college.”

 

“…makes time management in college very simple...I was not intimidated by the academic pressures.”

 

“…my (university) understands how well rounded an IB student is and how IB learning extends beyond the classroom.”

 

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