It is an academically challenging program of study that falls within six subject groups, designed to prepare students aged 16 to 19 for success at university and life beyond. Its purpose is to give students around the world a chance to earn a rigorous, internationally recognized diploma.

The IB diploma begins in Grade 11, and focuses on three core elements;

• the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), where students reflect on how we know what we know;

• the Extended Essay (EE), which requires students to write an independent research paper, and;

• the CAS project, which stands for creativity, activity, and service, which requires students to create a project based on those three themes.

Established to provide students with a balanced education, facilitate geographic and cultural mobility, and to promote international understanding, the DP offers countless benefits to students. According to IB, these include:

• gaining an excellent breadth and depth of knowledge

• flourishing physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically

• the opportunity to study at least two languages

• excelling in traditional academic subjects

• the chance to explore the nature of knowledge through the program’s unique theory of knowledge course

Some other advantages are:

• shared experiences that create a special camaraderie among the students and their teachers

• development of project management, time management and study skills

• advanced placement and/or sophomore standing in many prestigious colleges and universities

• challenging learning environment surrounded by intellectual peers

What Experts Are Saying:

Students have to be enrolled at an IB school to do the IB Diploma, but AP exams can be done without going to school. Furthermore, the AP focuses on content only, where the IB evaluates students based not only on content but also on skills such as critical thinking and writing. A student’s AP grades are based on the exam only, but in the IB Diploma, some course work is included in calculating the final score.

KIS International School, Bangkok – Thailand

More information can be found here: https://world-schools.com/3-key-differences-between-ib-and-ap/