IB vs. AP
International Baccalaureate at Littleton High School
o Students are required to take all six subjects, sit for exams, and complete Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) hours.
o The Diploma Program begins the junior year and is completed the senior year.
o Student assessments include internally (teacher) graded work, such as oral presentations and portfolios, and externally (international examiner) graded work, such as papers and experiments.
o Each subject includes an international component.
o Subject grade is from 1-7.
o With an IB diploma, students earn 24 credits at any Colorado public university.
o Other universities give credit based on the student’s score in a subject. See www.ibo.org for details.
For more information, contact Claudia Anderson, IB Coordinator, 303-347-7724
Advanced Placement at Littleton High School
o Students may take whichever course fits their academic strengths.
o The program is flexible; students are not locked in to a course of study for more than
one year.
o Sitting for the exam is voluntary and is comprised of one exam at the end of the
course.
o Course grade is from 1-5.
o Universities give credit for 3, 4, and 5s depending on the school. See the university’s
website for details.
For more information contact Amanda Teegardin, AP coordinator and counselor, 303-347-7722.
IB and AP Course GENERAL Comparisons
Group 1 – Language Arts
IB English – Higher Level
•Two year course; one semester is the study of works originally written in a language other than English. Other three semesters study novels, drama and poetry
•Each semester focuses on a different component: World Literature, detailed study, art of the novel, etc.
•Assessments are oral and written
•Personal response to the literature and original thinking are emphasized
•Students are taught to read texts with many literary theories in mind (formal, biographical, historical, etc.)
AP English
•One year course focusing on different genres
•Assessments are written: essay and multiple choice
•Course also includes speaking, research and viewing to prepare students for college level courses
•Analytical response and close reading of texts is emphasized
•Students are taught to read texts with many literary theories in mind (formal, biographical, historical, etc.)
Department Chair: Curt Stedron 303-734-6826
Group 2: World Languages
IB Language – Standard Level
•Emphasizes demonstrating thinking, analysis, debate, synthesis of themes and cultural topics
•Reflection and thinking is emphasized more than structure and language
•Oral testing is based on research of a cultural topic with reflection and analysis
•Listening comprehension only formally assessed during speaking interactions
AP Language
•Stronger focus on grammar
•The 4 skills of speaking, listening, writing and reading are all tested; multiple choice questions and fill in the blanks on listening, reading and grammar.
•The structure of the language (verb tenses and function words) is an important focus.
•Oral testing based on spontaneous reactions from visual cues
Department Chair: Michelle Colli-Villecrose 303-734-6773
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
IB History – Higher Level
•More depth and less breadth
•1789 to Present
•Strong emphasis on source analysis
•Very rigorous
•Many opportunities to develop writing, problem-solving, research and information literacy skills
AP World History and AP Gov and Econ
•More breadth and less depth
•1000 to present
•Strong emphasis on making connections among political, economic, social and environmental and geographical experiences
•Very rigorous
Department Chair: Greg Klein 303-734-6796
Group 4: Experimental Sciences
IB Biology – Higher Level
•Two year course, so more depth in certain areas
•Content is similar to AP
•Portfolio labs required
•Portfolio is 25% of classroom contact hours
AP Biology
•One year course
•Content is similar to IB but pace is faster
•No portfolio
•Must cover 12 sets of labs
IB Chemistry – Standard level
•More breadth, less depth
•Types of problem-solving is significantly less advanced and complex than AP
•More application (but not a lot)
•College credit is not standard for SL
•Some emphasis on inter-disciplinary and group work
AP Chemistry
•More depth
•Problem-solving is much more difficult than IB SL
•Topics are similar in AP and IB
•College credit is standard for 4’s and 5’s on exam
•No emphasis on interdisciplinary or group work
•No credit for lab work
Department Chair: Jill Mullarkey 303-734-6807
Group 5: Mathematics
IB Calculus (SL) and AP Calculus
Both sets of students take honors Trig and Pre-calc, so the prerequisite sequence is the same. The largest single difference is the IB focus on Statistics. AP Calc is equivalent to college level Calculus. The IB Calculus does not have the depth or rigor of AP Calculus.
Higher Level Math (Beyond Calculus) – Higher Level
•IB Calculus is a prerequisite for this course
•Extremely challenging curriculum for only top math students
Department Chair: Don Zolla 303-734-6829
Group 6 – The Arts
IB Art (SL or HL)
•Students put together a portfolio of work created one (junior or senior) or two (junior and senior) years
•Students create work based on individual research and their chosen path
•Course culminates in an oral exam given by a visiting examiner
AP Art
•Student puts together a portfolio of work created through all four years of high school
•Students create work restricted by AP guidelines
•Course culminates by mailing slides and a statement to AP offices
Department Chair: Mary Rosenberg 303-734-6812