What is the Difference Between Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Courses?
- Admission Elements
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 26
Students are sometimes confused about whether they should take Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The answer depends on various factors, such as the student’s ability to handle a rigorous academic load, the number of university or college-level courses they wish to take for university or college credit, and the availability of courses in their school or community.
In this blog, we briefly explain the key differences between AP and IB courses so that you can understand which path would be a better fit for you. To read more about these courses, read our blog, “Should You Take AP Courses?” and “Should You Choose the IB Diploma Programme?”

Advanced Placement (AP) | International Baccalaureate (IB) |
Overview | Overview |
The AP program is developed by the College Board, based in the United States. | The IBDP is offered by the International Baccalaureate Organization, based in Switzerland. |
Students can choose from 40 courses in different subject areas. There is no limit on the number of AP courses a student can take. | Students take six subjects: three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL) or four at HL and two at SL. |
AP courses are typically one year long, but some courses are offered on a semester basis. | The IBDP is a two-year program. |
The exams are held once every year in May. | Students take the IB exams after completing two years of coursework. |
Academic Rigour and Workload | Academic Rigour and Workload |
Course selection is flexible, as students can choose the number and combination of subjects they wish to take. | Course selection is less flexible, as students are required to take a set package of HL and SL courses. |
Students sometimes get fixated on grades and college acceptances, with limited emphasis on learning. They can overload themselves by taking too many AP courses simultaneously, which can lead to high levels of stress and burnout. | The IBDP encompasses non-academic pursuits, such as creativity, activity, service (CAS), making it a balanced mix of academic and non-academic courses that focus on in-depth learning and understanding. |
There is no strict correlation between school AP grades and AP Exam scores. Sometimes, students are surprised when they receive lower scores on their AP Exam than they expected, despite high grades in school exams for the same course. | Grades are standardized; teachers must align class grades with estimated exam results. The school grades provide a realistic idea of how students might perform on final exams. |
Postsecondary Recognition and Course Credit | Postsecondary Recognition and Course Credit |
AP courses are popular in the U.S. and less recognized in Europe and Asia, with fewer schools offering AP classes. | Due to its standardized curriculum, the IBDP is popular among universities worldwide. However, it is gaining recognition in the U.S. but remains less common than AP. |
Students can receive college credit if their score is 3 or more on a scale of 1-5, depending on the credit policy of the postsecondary institution. It can be problematic for students who don’t know which institution they will attend when choosing AP courses in grades 10 or 11. | Students can receive college credit for HL courses if their score is 5 or more on a scale of 1-7, depending on the credit policy of the postsecondary institution. Getting college credit for SL courses can be hard. Hence, a student can get credit for a maximum of four HL courses. |
Flexibility and Accessibility | Flexibility and Accessibility |
AP courses are offered in some schools. However, students can study independently and take the AP Exam without attending classes, which can benefit homeschoolers or students in schools with no or limited AP course offerings. | Students must be enrolled in a school that offers an IB programme to take the IB exams. Hence, it is inaccessible to homeschoolers or schools that are not IB schools. |
The courses are easier to implement in schools once the College Board completes the AP Course Audit process. | It requires significant teacher training and resource investment, making it less accessible in rural areas or small schools. |
Suggestions | Suggestions |
AP courses are ideal for students who want flexibility in choosing subjects or are interested in accelerating their education by learning college credits. | The IBDP is ideal for students who value a holistic education, critical thinking, and global perspectives. |
It is recommended for students who thrive in competitive environments and can handle the pressure of multiple exams. It is suitable for homeschoolers or students who prefer a self-paced learning environment. | It is recommended for students who prefer a standardized curriculum and a balanced workload, with an emphasis on extracurricular activities and personal growth. |
Since AP and IB are demanding, university-level courses, ensure that you have the necessary skills to take on the rigorous course load. It is important to have well-developed reading, writing and critical thinking skills along with effective time management skills to meet the demands and succeed in the courses.
Discuss with your teachers, guidance counsellor and parents to evaluate the pros and cons of each option. It is a good idea to check each postsecondary institution you think you would apply to see if they grant credit for the courses you wish to take. If you need help planning your courses based on your abilities and career interests, contact us at admissionelements@gmail.com or book a 1-Hour Session with us.
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