QUOTE
What do you mean internally and externally assessed
like questions where you answer in front of a panel?
Every class has their own individual internal and external assessments (one for english, history, science/math etc..). We have big projects where we have to give presentations and whatnot (which are graded internally by your teachers). Then we also have the external portion where we have to write essays or physically document the projects (ex: extended essay). These are then sent internationally to be graded by various IB people all over the world (hence external assessment). These assessments are usually done during the school year within the classes. So you do these assessments PLUS the IB tests a the end of the year (which I believe are externally assessed as well).
QUOTE
you can still get the diploma if
you don't pass on exam
This is correct to an extent. The IB tests are graded on a 7 scale. You have both Standard Level and Higher Level tests. If you get a 2 (or 3 I forgot which) on one standard level test you need at least one five on another standard level to balance it out. But if you get a 2 on one standard and another 2 on another standard then you can't get your diploma. It's a balancing game. However, if you get a 2 on any of your higher levels you can't get your diploma.
1. Are you IB or AP or Both?
- Both
2. Do you think you made the right choice doing IB or/and AP?
- AP got me more college credits but I think IB taught me more life lessons so i don't regret my choices.
3. Could you imagine yourself dropping out of IB or/and AP?
- Well I'm in college already so...no? I mean, I've done IB since i was in sixth grade so =/ it'd be a waste to go through all that and not get my diploma.
4. If you could, would you have picked IB instead of AP or AP instead of IB?
- I would have picked IB, even with all the work. Why? well IB honestly teaches you to be a lot more well rounded then AP. Sure, it may not give you as much college credits but in all honesty I think the knowledge you gain in the long run is a lot better. AP taught me a lot of cramming and useless mini cooper I don't need in real life. IB taught me how to write essays, give presentations, study properly, manage stress and manage my time which are skills that will actually benefit me in life. Also, as someone mentioned before, the IB community is a lot more close knit then AP. You're pretty much with the same people for two years so you develop a lot of long term familial bonds. So overall IB gives you more then just useless facts to be memorized (and forgotten) for some standardized test.
5. Which do you think is better for you IB or AP? Why?
- I believe I answered this in the last question.
6. Do you consider your workload considerably large?
- In IB? or AP? The IB workload was a lot but not unreasonable. AP was relatively the same minus the big projects and assessments. There were a lot less essays, presentations and projects in AP but I think that's a downside of AP.
Ohhhhh wait you mean college? College workload isn't bad, to be honest. A lot of it just has to do with managing your time right and actually sitting down to do your work (which can be hard with all the potential distractions). Honestly college is a lot of cramming before tests and whatnot. Your grades pretty much depend on your tests, projects/essays and quizzes.
7. How would you compare it to the IB or AP classes?
- It's different. But similar. You don't really have to worry about all the busy work. Colleges get straight to the point in grading you pretty much on what you know. They usually don't take attendance and don't grade hmwk assignments (depend on professors). Honestly I think the IB classes are what helped me in the long run. Because they taught me how to manage my time and study without stressing out. So college really isn't that bad for me.
8. Do you think you'll be prepared for exam at the end of the year?
- .........yes? O_O?
9. What do you think of IB and AP?
- answered already
10. Do you think its really worth it?
- Yes. They're both great programs it's just what you want to get out of it and how much you can handle. Contrary to what other people said, I had a life outside of IB. I took full IB classes, had two jobs, VP of diversity leadership, secretary of IB student union and I was varsity tennis team. And the thing is, I know people who have done more then me. I personally think it's all perspective. If you think you can do it, you can do it. I have friends who were not, by all means, geniuses. But they worked hard and graduated with and IB diploma. And honestly I think it's those who worked hard who are better off in life now. It doesn't matter which program you do, if you make the best of it, then it will always be worth it.
