In IB terms, what does 'IB exam' mean?

Just a bit of a newbie here in the whole college process. I see the term 'IB exam' thrown a lot, but I am left wondering what exactly is it? How is it different from standard high school exams and how does it impact college applications?

The term "IB exam" refers to the end-of-course assessments associated with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, a rigorous two-year curriculum aimed at students aged 16-19. These exams are typically taken at the end of the second year of the program, covering material from two years of study in each subject.

In terms of how IB exams are different from standard high school exams, firstly, the content is often more in-depth and international in focus. For instance, you might study world literature instead of just English literature in the IB Literature course. Length and form may also differ - IB exams are several hours long and include various question formats such as short answer, essay, and data analysis.

It's significant to note that many colleges in the U.S. and worldwide give course credit for high scores on IB exams, similar to how they award credit for high AP test scores. Therefore, it can impact your college applications and course planning by potentially saving you time in university.

IB exam scores also provide colleges with an international benchmark that indicates your readiness for college-level work. As such, strong performance can enhance your college application. However, like AP exam scores, they are typically less influential than other factors such as GPA and course rigor.

Lastly, you should communicate with universities you're interested in, as the acceptance of IB credits varies from institution to institution. Some may provide college credit for higher level (HL) exams, others for both HL and standard level (SL) exams. So, knowing in advance can help in your college planning.