IB stands for International Baccalaureate, and it is a designation for a specific type of educational programming, available in elementary, middle, or high school. Many think that IB is an alternative to AP (Advanced Placement) coursework, but there are some distinct differences.

• AP coursework is only available at the high school level; whereas, IB coursework is available at the elementary, middle, or high school level.
• IB and AP programs both require testing at the completion of the course, but IB testing typically involves an application of the study to a real-world scenario, while AP testing typically follows a more traditional multiple-choice testing format.
• All schools that offer IB programming are considered "IB Schools." IB programming extends to all courses in an elementary school; however, IB coursework may only be available in certain subjects, courses, or grade levels at the middle and high school level.
• AP courses are often used to satisfy college coursework requirements. IB courses may not satisfy the same college requirement, so you need to verify whether it's accepted at your intended college ahead of time.
• IB programming asks the students to guide the development of the course, while teachers act more in a moderator or supervisory role. AP coursework is standardized (i.e. an AP English course follows the same curriculum in school A that it does in school B).

Both AP and IB courses are designed to help students better prepare for college and post-secondary education. Understanding what your local schools have to offer, and how your student will fit in with each school's programming, is important. How can you find out what schools in your area offer IB programming? Visit IBO.org online to locate programs and schools in your state. For help with AP or IB coursework, call the tutoring and test prep experts at Club Z! today at 800-434-2582.