IB vs. AP

AP

• AP credit is earned based purely on the AP exam score (1-5).

• You can take an AP exam without taking the course. 

IB

• IB credit is earned based on the IA grade and the exam grade (1-7).

• You must be taking the IB course to take the respective exam. 

• Classes are categorized as Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). HL courses typically provide more college credit than SL courses. 

Both are accepted at most colleges and universities around the world.

AP

• There are several honors and awards based on performance on AP exams, but DHHS does not offer a pathway for the AP diploma. For more information, see College Board's AP Awards and Recognitions page. 

IB

• 2-year programme commitment 

• scored out of 45 points

• at Druid Hills, a student may receive a bilingual seal if they receive a 5 or above in their foreign language course 

• students must receive a D or higher in both Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay to be eligible for the IB Diploma

AP

• Each course lasts 1 semester to 1 school year

• Content-focused, breadth of knowledge, focuses on "What?"

IB

• Courses may last from 1 to 2 school years based on difficulty level

• Process-focused, holistic knowledge, focuses on "How?"

"I have been asking selective college admissions officers for 20 years what they think of AP and IB, and every one has been extremely enthusiastic about both. The IB exams ask more of students than the AP ones do, and I don't think anyone who works regularly with IB students thinks there is any lack of rigor and content in the IB teaching... But I think IB is even better because of its emphasis on writing and its extended essay requirement for those going for the full diploma. The only American high schools these days that require a research paper of every student are private schools and IB schools. It is a great flaw in our system and IB does more than AP to correct it." 

-Washington Post education columnist Jay Mathews

AP

• Graded on a 5.0 scale (GPA booster)

• Exam scores most likely do not factor into the student's grade in the course

IB

• Graded on a 5.0 scale (GPA booster)

• Internal Assessment (IA) scores typically factor into a student's grade in the course

• Each score a student receives for an IB course (1-7) factors into their IB Diploma grade (1-45)

• Students can receive a maximum of 42 points total from their 6 IB subjects, plus an additional 3 points from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay

AP

• Specific requirements vary between courses

IB

• CAS - Creativity, Activity, Service

• Extended Essay 

• Theory of Knowledge