What is the difference between AP and IB high school courses?

Answer 1

The answer may change depending on the different area.

Generally, however, AP courses are those that are offered within regular, public schools. The AP classes are designed to be the toughest classes in the school, thus standing for "Advanced Placement" classes. Children are usually recommended by previous teachers to take AP classes. They are generally very tough.

The IB program is, to put it as basic as it can get, the "smart kids" program. The IB program accepts kids who have exceptional test scores (from elementary or middle school SAT or STAR tests) and no one else. This program is unbelievably challenging for those who are not very intelligent, and is still difficult for those who are geniuses. The amount of work is overwhelming for most students, and unless you wish to have little spare time at home, the IB program is not for you. IB school courses are extremely challenging and difficult, and are much, much more challenging than AP courses (usually, that is; there are always exceptions).

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To put things in perspective:

I'm an IB student who (together with my class) took the Physics AP exam in Junior year. Our teacher gave us three lectures, four classes and a practice test to prepare for the exam. I scored a 5.

Answer 2

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level exams (A Levels) are much more like US AP exams than IB courses. Most British universities regard US AP exams as broadly equivalent to A Level, & generally most will accept AP passes (especially at 4-5) for degree admissions purposes.

IB courses taken in isolation (ie not as part of the overarching diploma award) require less depth of study/ detailed knowledge & understanding than A Level & AP: British universities will usually regard these as roughly equivalent to AS Levels - ie the first half of a full A Level course of study.

The International Bac Diploma, however, is very well regarded as excellent preparation for university study, & if the overall score is high (say 35+) a candidate would have no problem in gaining acceptance to most British universities.