High school is generally considered to be one of the
most enjoyable and relaxed times in a student's life. It is also a prime opportunity to apply for
post-secondary credit, as the secondary course load is much lighter in senior year. One such step is to get
enrolled in advanced level programs in order to earn extra credits for university courses.
Two programs that are highly popular in Canadian schools are Advanced Placement (AP) and International
Baccalaureate (IB). Both of these programs offer college-level academic courses, thereby providing students
an early jump on college studies. Along with forming a base of college-level academics these programs also
help students earn extra credits for their university courses.
International Baccalaureate is a rigorous pre-university program that tests a student's expertise in six
subject areas. The IB program is offered as a certificate program as well as a full diploma program. For a
certificate IB program, a student needs to complete an externally assessed examination. On the other hand, a
diploma IB is much more comprehensive, and includes subjects such as literature, history, geography and
economics.
IB examinations are graded on a scale of 1-7, and involve both internal as well as external assessment.
External assessment commands a greater weightage in the final grade received by a student. The IB program has
achieved its goal of becoming a recognized “admission certification” into colleges and universities. Students
who successfully complete the entire program would receive university credits even before they finish high
school.
Advanced Placement (AP) is another comprehensive program that offers a host of benefits to high school
students, especially those aiming to attend a well-known university with competitive acceptance rates. In
contrast to IB, which offers an all-round education, AP allows students to display expertise in one
particular area. Students in this program are marked on the basis of a multiple-choice paper as well as a
free response paper.
A number of universities across Canada accept AP scores as a means to recognize talented and motivated
students. This program can also earn a number of credits in a particular subject, thereby helping students
during their university years.
Although both of these programs are different and may not be available in all high schools across Canada,
there are fee similarities between the two. Both involve rigorous study and high performance standards for
both the teachers as well as the students. Students who participate in these programs are highly motivated
and have set a target for their future studies. Finally, both of the programs offer a unique opportunity to
earn extra credits for university courses, thereby giving a head start to high school students.
Along with providing extra credits to students, both of these programs have a standardized course structure.
This standardized course structure has played a major role in establishing the credibility of these two
programs. The knowledge and credits so earned during high school will exempt students from taking basic
classes at the university level. This ensures that the students get their degree more quickly and at a lower
cost.•
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