International College Counselors

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Brochure
    • Scholarship Essay Contest
    • Why ICC?
  • Services
    • College Counseling
    • Graduate School
    • International Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Learning Differences
    • K-12 Placement Services
    • SSAT Flex Testing
    • A La Carte Services
    • Corporate Benefits
    • Giving Back
  • Contact Us
  • Results
  • News & Events
    • In The News
    • Press Releases
    • Awards & Recognitions
    • Upcoming Free Webinars and Seminars
  • Essays
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Locations
    • Florida Locations
    • Connecticut Location
    • New York City Locations
    • North Carolina Location
  • Resources
    • New Book: To University and Beyond

IB, AP, and AICE: They’re all college-level programs; what are the differences?

January 18, 2022 by Aimee Heller

person writing on white paper

When students take AP, IB and AICE courses, they are studying college-level material while they’re in high school. These courses challenge students to explore topics in depth and work at a higher level by incorporating critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, multiple perspectives, and verbal communication skills. In a high school that uses a weighted GPA system, students will see the rigor of these courses reflected in a GPA boost. In addition, students may earn college credit for taking IB, AP, or AICE courses.

How do the three programs compare and contrast?

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)

What is IB?

The International Baccalaureate program was developed in Switzerland to be an internationally recognized diploma. This challenging two-year sequence of classes, projects, and other requirements is offered to students in 11th and 12th grades. IB seeks to develop the whole student through its full and broad curriculum. To earn this diploma, students must be enrolled in an authorized IB school.

What are the benefits of an IB program/IB Diploma?

  • Shows college admission personnel that a student is challenging themselves in all subject areas, rather than just selected subjects as might be the case with the AP program.
  • Emphasizes independent learning and time-management skills over multiple choice exams, offering an advantage for some students, such as those who excel in writing and critical thinking.
  • Awards up to 30 hours of college credit based on performance in class and IB exam scores.
  • Requires a two-year commitment.
  • Florida students who complete the diploma plus 100 hours of community eligible are automatically eligible for the Florida Bright Futures 100% tuition scholarship.

How students can earn an IB Diploma

  • Take courses from each of 6 subject groups: (1) language and literature; (2) language; (3) individuals and societies; (4) sciences; (5) mathematics; and (6) the arts.
  • Take 3-4 IB courses at the Higher Level and the rest at the Standard Level.
  • Write an Extended Essay, described as a long, college-style research paper.
  • Take a Theory of Knowledge course, write a paper, and give an oral presentation based on research.
  • Satisfy extracurricular requirements that emphasize creativity, action, and service.
  • Score 24 or more points by passing each class’s final exam.

ICC Note on IB

Most colleges give credit for higher-level IB exams, but not all give credit for standard-level IB exams.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

What is the AP program?

Advanced Placement classes are standardized, subject-specific college-level classes developed by the U.S.-based College Board (the same company that administers the SAT). The program helps students prepare for college. Students can take one AP course or more than a dozen, depending on their school, schedule, and goals.

What is the AP Capstone?

Comprised of AP Seminar and AP Research (two different classes, each a year long), the AP Capstone program allows students to develop competencies that they’ll use in college: research, analysis, collaboration, and presentation skills. AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research.

 How students can earn an AP Capstone Diploma

  • Take four AP exams of their choosing and earn scores of 3 or higher on them; in addition, they must earn a score of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.

What are the benefits of AP classes and the AP Capstone Program?

  • Allow students to dig deeper into subjects they are passionate about.
  • Expose students to college level work and expectations.
  • Students may earn college credit and/or the opportunity to place out of entry-level classes in college based on their AP exam score/s.
  • Students can take AP courses online, as anyone can sign up to take the exams in May.
  • Students can self-study for courses (for example, if the class is not offered by their high school or because a class won’t fit in their schedule) and take corresponding exams.
  • Evaluate students with assessments that reward recall.

ICC Note on AP

AP and IB credit are both widely accepted by colleges, but you’ll want to check with each college because credit policies vary.

 

CAMBRIDGE AICE

What is AICE?

The Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) is an international diploma with a corresponding international academic curriculum and assessment. AICE was developed by the University of Cambridge in England. The classes are rigorous, and most are offered at two levels: the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level, and the Advanced (A) Level. AS Level classes are one year long and less demanding than their A-Level counterparts, which are two years in length.

What are the benefits of AICE classes and/or diploma?

  • Prepare students with up to 30 hours of college credit.
  • Allow students more flexibility to pick and choose courses to fit their specific interests.
  • Offer advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level exams that count for one credit and Advanced (A) Level exams that count for two credits.
  • Florida students who complete the diploma plus 100 hours of community eligible are automatically eligible for the Florida Bright Futures 100% tuition scholarship.

How students can earn a Cambridge AICE Diploma

  • Complete a minimum of 7 AICE credits from subjects drawn from three curriculum areas: (1) mathematics and science, (2) languages, and (3) arts and humanities. There is also the option to study interdisciplinary subjects. Students must also take the compulsory Cambridge International AS Level Global Perspectives and Research.
  • Earn a set number of points through a wide range of evaluations, including formal written examinations, oral assessments, and projects.

ICC Notes on AICE

Students frequently report that AICE classes are easier than IB or AP classes, and many complete their AICE diploma by the end of 10th grade. Schools in the US are more likely to recognize AP or IB as more rigorous than AICE, but the AICE curriculum is still typically considered more rigorous than Honors or Dual Enrollment courses.

 

Additional Assistance

Our college advisors can help you decide which program is right for your student and help you understand the different credit policies. Contact International College Counselors at International College Counselors or 954-414-9986.

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: College Planning, Tips for High School Freshman and Sophomores Tagged With: AICE diploma, AP or AICE, AP or IB, choose high school classes, choosing high school classes, college admissions, college advisor miami, college counselor, difference between AICE and IB, difference between AP and AICE, IB diploma, IB or AICE, international college counselors

Sign up for free college admissions advice!

Subscribe

Recent Acceptances

M.I.T.
Yale University
Stanford University
Brown University
Caltech
Harvard College
Princeton University
Harvard Business School
University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton School
Washington University St. Louis
Cornell University
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
Northwestern University
The Cooper Union
Johns Hopkins University
University of Florida
New York University
University of Michigan
University of Chicago
Brandeis University
University of Texas @ Austin
NYU Dental School
USC Dental School
Duke University
University of Virginia
Barnard College
Amherst College
UNC Chapel Hill
Wesleyan University
Rice University
McGill University
Olin College of Engineering
Tufts University
Emory University
Carnegie Mellon University
George Washington University
University of Notre Dame
Georgia Institute of Technology
Boston University
USC
U.C.L.A.
Vanderbilt University
Syracuse University
UC Berkeley
Rensselaer Polytechnic
University of Maryland
New College of Florida
Loyola Marymount University
American University
Harvey Mudd College
Middlebury College
Boston College
Babson University
Georgetown University
Colgate University
Bard College
Ohio State University
Indiana University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Tulane University
University of Miami
Purdue University
Oxford College @ Emory
Wisconsin @ Madison
Northeastern University
Lehigh University
Goucher College
Pennslyvania State University
Muhlenberg College
University of Connecticut
Loyola University Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Alabama
Louisiana State University
Drexel University
Embry-Riddle University
University of Arizona
Florida State University
University of Central Florida
S.U.N.Y @ Binghamton
S.U.N.Y @ Stony Brook
S.U.N.Y @ Albany
S.U.N.Y @ Geneseo
S.U.N.Y. @ Oneonta
S.U.N.Y. @ Oswego
S.U.N.Y @ Purchase
Art Institute of Chicago
University of Illinois
Pratt Institute
Ringling College Art & Design
George Mason University
University of Vermont
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Parsons New School of Design
Emerson College
Auburn University
Michigan State University
UC Santa Cruz
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
Elon University
St. John's University
UMass Amherst
UMass Dartmouth
UMass Lowell
UMass Boston
Suffolk University
Bentley University
Lynn University
Arizona State University
University of North Florida
Florida Atlantic University
Florida International University
Florida Gulf Coast University
University of South Florida
Nova Southeastern University
University of Tampa
Hofstra University
Pace University
University of New England
Western New England College
Bowling Green State University
Rollins College
Eugene Lang College
Baruch College
Hunter College
Santa Fe College
Fordham University
UNC Greensboro
University of Hartford
Lasell College
Shimer College
Hillsdale College
College of Charleston
Bryant University
Clark University
James Madison University
Curry College
Southern Methodist University
Florida Institute of Technology
LIM College
University of British Columbia
College of the Holy Cross
University of Pittsburgh
Purchase College
University of Minnesota
Virginia Commonwealth University
Columbia College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
St. Leo University
Stetson University
Canisius College
LIM College
Case Western Reserve
San Diego State University
Marymount Manhattan College

Blog Categories

  • College Admissions
  • College Applications
  • College Essays
  • College Planning
  • College Visits and Information Sessions
  • Extracurricular & Summer Activities
  • FAQ
  • Financial Aid & Scholarships
  • Giving Back
  • Graduate School
  • In the News
  • International College Counselors blog
  • International Students
  • Other
  • Special Students – Athletes, LD, Art Majors
  • Standardized Tests – SAT/ACT/AP Courses/PSAT
  • Summer Opportunities
  • Tips for High School Freshman and Sophomores
  • Tips for High School Juniors
  • Tips for High School Seniors
  • Transfer Students
  • Uncategorized

Blog Archives

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

International College Counselors

3107 Stirling Road, Suite 208
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312 USA
(954) 414-9986
(800) 452-9090

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Books By Our Staff:

To University and Beyond: Launch Your Career in High Gear by Mandee Heller Adler and David Teten. From Public School To The Ivy League by Mandee Heller Adler International Admissions by Mandee Heller Adler and Aimee Heller

Navigation

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Contact Us
  • Results
  • News & Events
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

  • Tips for Transferring Colleges
  • What to Know about AP Score Reporting to Colleges
  • 8 Tips for High School Juniors: Ways to Boost Your College Chances Over the Summer
  • Demonstrate Interest in a College and Boost Your Chances of Admission
  • Top Tips for a Standout High School Resume

Copyright © 2022 · Enterprise Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

en English
en Englishes Spanishzh-CN Chinese (Simplified)nl Dutchfr Frenchit Italiande Germanpt Portugueseru Russianar Arabic