IB vs AP: Which Programme Is Right for You?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) and Advanced Placement (AP) are the two most widely recognised pre-university academic programmes in the world. While both demonstrate academic rigour and can strengthen university applications, they differ fundamentally in philosophy, structure, and approach. Understanding these differences is essential for making the right choice for your educational goals. The IB Diploma is a comprehensive two-year programme requiring students to study six subjects across disciplinary groups, complete an extended essay, engage with Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and fulfil Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requirements. AP, by contrast, operates as a collection of independent courses and exams administered by the College Board, allowing students to select as many or as few subjects as they wish without a unifying framework. At ++tutors, we provide expert tutoring for both IB and AP students. Whether you are preparing for IB Higher Level examinations or aiming for a 5 on your AP exams, our tutors include experienced teachers and examiners who understand the specific demands of each programme.
Programme Overviews
Understanding each programme at a glance
IB Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous, internationally recognised two-year curriculum for students aged 16 to 19. Offered at over 5,700 schools in more than 150 countries, it emphasises academic breadth, critical thinking, and intercultural understanding through a structured framework of six subject groups plus three core components.
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement is a programme of college-level courses and examinations created by the College Board in the United States. Offered at over 22,000 schools primarily in the US and Canada, AP allows high school students to take individual courses in nearly 40 subjects and earn potential college credit based on their exam performance.
Detailed Comparison
How IB and AP differ across key dimensions
| Dimension | IB | AP |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | A holistic two-year diploma requiring six subjects (three at Higher Level, three at Standard Level) plus three core components: the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). | A collection of independent courses with no overarching framework. Students choose as many or as few AP courses as they wish, and each course operates on its own schedule and syllabus. |
| Assessment | A combination of externally marked examinations (typically two or three papers per subject) and internally assessed coursework such as oral assessments, lab reports, and the Extended Essay. Core components are also assessed. | A single end-of-year exam per subject, typically lasting 2 to 3 hours. Most exams include multiple-choice and free-response sections. There is no coursework component that contributes to the final AP score. |
| Grading | Each subject is graded on a scale of 1 to 7, with additional points (up to 3) awarded for the Extended Essay and TOK combined. The maximum total score is 45 points. A score of 24 is required to earn the diploma. | Each exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, where 3 is generally considered passing. Scores are independent per exam, and there is no aggregate score or diploma awarded by the College Board. |
| Subject Breadth | Students must take subjects across six groups: Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and The Arts. This ensures broad academic exposure regardless of intended university major. | Students choose from nearly 40 available courses with no distribution requirements. This allows deep specialisation in areas of strength or interest, though students may also choose courses across different disciplines. |
| Workload | Generally considered heavier due to the mandatory breadth of six subjects, the Extended Essay (4,000 words), TOK presentations and essay, and CAS requirements. Students must manage sustained effort across all components over two years. | Varies significantly depending on how many AP courses a student takes. A student taking two AP courses has a manageable workload, while a student taking six or more may face demands comparable to or exceeding the IB. |
| University Recognition | Highly valued by universities worldwide, with strong recognition in the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and increasingly in the US. Many UK universities make offers based on IB point totals, and some award advanced standing for Higher Level scores of 6 or 7. | The standard for demonstrating college readiness in the United States. Most US universities award credit or advanced placement for scores of 4 or 5. Increasingly recognised internationally, though policies vary by institution outside the US. |
| Geographic Popularity | Offered at over 5,700 schools across more than 150 countries. Particularly strong in international schools, Europe, Asia, and Canada. Growing steadily in the United States, though still far less common than AP. | Primarily offered in the United States and Canada across over 22,000 schools. Available in some international schools globally but far less common outside North America compared to the IB. |
| Cost | Exam registration fee of approximately $172 plus roughly $119 per subject examination. Total exam costs for the full diploma typically range from $800 to $900, though school tuition fees vary separately. | Approximately $98 per exam within the US ($142 for international students). Total costs scale linearly with the number of exams taken, making it more flexible for budget-conscious families. |
Structure
A holistic two-year diploma requiring six subjects (three at Higher Level, three at Standard Level) plus three core components: the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).
A collection of independent courses with no overarching framework. Students choose as many or as few AP courses as they wish, and each course operates on its own schedule and syllabus.
Assessment
A combination of externally marked examinations (typically two or three papers per subject) and internally assessed coursework such as oral assessments, lab reports, and the Extended Essay. Core components are also assessed.
A single end-of-year exam per subject, typically lasting 2 to 3 hours. Most exams include multiple-choice and free-response sections. There is no coursework component that contributes to the final AP score.
Grading
Each subject is graded on a scale of 1 to 7, with additional points (up to 3) awarded for the Extended Essay and TOK combined. The maximum total score is 45 points. A score of 24 is required to earn the diploma.
Each exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, where 3 is generally considered passing. Scores are independent per exam, and there is no aggregate score or diploma awarded by the College Board.
Subject Breadth
Students must take subjects across six groups: Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and The Arts. This ensures broad academic exposure regardless of intended university major.
Students choose from nearly 40 available courses with no distribution requirements. This allows deep specialisation in areas of strength or interest, though students may also choose courses across different disciplines.
Workload
Generally considered heavier due to the mandatory breadth of six subjects, the Extended Essay (4,000 words), TOK presentations and essay, and CAS requirements. Students must manage sustained effort across all components over two years.
Varies significantly depending on how many AP courses a student takes. A student taking two AP courses has a manageable workload, while a student taking six or more may face demands comparable to or exceeding the IB.
University Recognition
Highly valued by universities worldwide, with strong recognition in the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and increasingly in the US. Many UK universities make offers based on IB point totals, and some award advanced standing for Higher Level scores of 6 or 7.
The standard for demonstrating college readiness in the United States. Most US universities award credit or advanced placement for scores of 4 or 5. Increasingly recognised internationally, though policies vary by institution outside the US.
Geographic Popularity
Offered at over 5,700 schools across more than 150 countries. Particularly strong in international schools, Europe, Asia, and Canada. Growing steadily in the United States, though still far less common than AP.
Primarily offered in the United States and Canada across over 22,000 schools. Available in some international schools globally but far less common outside North America compared to the IB.
Cost
Exam registration fee of approximately $172 plus roughly $119 per subject examination. Total exam costs for the full diploma typically range from $800 to $900, though school tuition fees vary separately.
Approximately $98 per exam within the US ($142 for international students). Total costs scale linearly with the number of exams taken, making it more flexible for budget-conscious families.
Which One Is Right for You?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about IB vs AP
The IB Diploma is generally considered more demanding overall because it requires breadth across six subjects plus the Extended Essay, TOK, and CAS. However, individual AP courses at the highest level, such as AP Physics C or AP Chemistry, can be equally or more challenging in their specific subject area. The difficulty comparison depends largely on how many AP courses a student takes and at what level.