IB, AP or AICE: A Comparison of the College-Level Programs
AP, IB and AICE programs enable students to study college-level material before they graduate high school. To their benefit, taking college-level courses in high school challenges students to explore topics in depth and work at a higher level. The courses set high expectations for critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, multiple perspectives, verbal communications skills and more. Most high schools typically give more GPA weight for an AP, IB or AICE class, resulting in students getting higher GPAs. Additionally, students who take IB, AP or AICE courses in high school can earn college credit.
How do the three programs compare, and how are they different from one another?
International Baccalaureate (IB)
What is IB?
IB is short for International Baccalaureate. The program was developed in Switzerland to be an internationally recognized diploma. Basically, this program is a two-year sequence of classes, projects, and other requirements usually available only to students in 11thand 12thgrades. IB emphasizes writing and developing critical thinking skills. At some high schools, IB is considered harder than AP. To earn this diploma, students must be enrolled in an authorized IB school.
What are the Benefits of an IB program?
* The IB diploma shows colleges that a student is challenging themselves in all subject areas, rather than just selected subjects as with the AP program.
* Places more emphasis on writing and not on multiple choice exams, which might be an advantage to strong writers
* Prepares students with up to 30 hours of college credit
* In Florida, completing the diploma and 100 hours of community service automatically nets a student the Florida Academic Scholarships Award from the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
What Students Need to Do to 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, which is basically a long, college-style research paper.
* Take a Theory of Knowledge course in which students study and write a paper about the nature of knowledge and give an oral presentation based on their research.
* Satisfy the extracurricular requirements which 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 (AP) classes are a set of standardized college-level classes developed in the U.S. by the College Board (the same company that administers the SAT). The program was designed to prepare students for college. Students can take one AP course or more than a dozen, depending on their school, schedule, and goals. To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must be enrolled in a school which offers the AP Capstone Diploma program.
What are the Benefits of AP?
* AP classes allow students to dig deeper into subjects they are passionate about.
* Students can take the AP courses online. Anyone can sign up to take the exams in May.
* If a student passes the AP exam, they may earn college credit and-or place out of entry-level classes in college.
What Students Need to Do to Earn an AP Diploma
* Take AP Seminar in grade 10 or 11, followed by AP Research. Each course is yearlong, and AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research.
* Earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing.
ICC Note on AP
AP and IB credit are both widely accepted by colleges, but there are lots of slight differences in credit policies.
Cambridge AICE
What is AICE?
The Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) is an international diploma that students can earn via an advanced academic curriculum and assessment program developed by the University of Cambridge in England. The classes are hard, 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. To earn this diploma, students must be enrolled in an authorized AICE school.
What are the Benefits of AICE?
* Prepares students with up to 30 hours of college credit.
* Allows students more flexibility to pick and choose what courses they want than the IB program.
* Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level exams count for one credit and Advanced (A) Level exams count for two credits
* In Florida, completing the diploma and 100 hours of community service automatically nets a student the Florida Academic Scholarships Award from the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
What Students Need to Do to Earn an AICE Diploma
* Complete a minimum of 14 AICE credits in the Diploma Core and three academic areas as follows: Group 1 – Mathematics and Sciences (Two credits required); Group 2 – Languages (Two credits required); Group 3 – Arts and Humanities (Two credits required); Group 4 – Interdisciplinary Skills (Optional – four credits maximum). Six additional credits required in any combination from the above four groups.
* Pass seven exams in four content areas within 2 years of passing the first exam.
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 IBas more rigorous than AICE, but the AICE curriculum is still typically considered more rigorous than Honors or Dual Enrollment courses.
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 http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com or 954 414-9986.