AP, IB & Honors Classes: How They Affect Your GPA
Understanding the differences between Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Honors courses — and how each impacts your GPA, transcript, and college applications.
Overview Comparison
| AP (Advanced Placement) | IB (International Baccalaureate) | Honors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governed by | College Board | IB Organization (Geneva) | Individual schools |
| GPA bonus (typical) | +1.0 | +1.0 | +0.5 |
| External exam | Yes (AP Exam, scored 1–5) | Yes (IB Exam, scored 1–7) | No (school-level only) |
| College credit? | Often (score 3+ or 4+) | Often (HL score 5+) | Rarely |
| Availability | ~38 subjects | ~50+ subjects (diploma or certificate) | Varies by school |
| Required program? | No, take any individually | Diploma requires 6 subjects + extras | No |
AP Classes (Advanced Placement)
AP courses are college-level classes developed by the College Board, taken in high school.
GPA Impact
- Weighted: Typically +1.0 bonus point (A = 5.0 on weighted scale)
- Unweighted: No difference from regular courses (A = 4.0)
- Colleges see "AP" on your transcript and know the course was rigorous
AP Exam
- Scored 1–5 (3 = "qualified," 4 = "well qualified," 5 = "extremely well qualified")
- Exam score does not affect your GPA — only the class grade does
- A score of 3, 4, or 5 often earns college credit (varies by school)
IB Classes (International Baccalaureate)
IB is an international program offering a comprehensive curriculum. Students can pursue the full IB Diploma or take individual IB Certificate courses.
GPA Impact
- Weighted: Typically +1.0 bonus (same as AP at most US high schools)
- HL vs SL: Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) courses usually get the same GPA weight, but colleges typically value HL more highly
- Some schools give +0.5 for SL and +1.0 for HL
IB Diploma vs. Certificate
- Diploma: 6 subjects (3 HL + 3 SL) + Extended Essay + TOK + CAS
- Certificate: Individual IB courses without full diploma requirements
- The full diploma is more impressive on applications but more demanding
Honors Classes
Honors courses are advanced-track versions of standard courses, set by individual schools.
GPA Impact
- Weighted: Typically +0.5 bonus (A = 4.5) — less than AP/IB
- Some schools give no weight to Honors courses
- No standardized exam or nationally recognized credential
Honors vs. AP/IB
- Honors courses are a good stepping stone before AP/IB
- They show course rigor but carry less weight in admissions than AP/IB
- Some competitive colleges don't count honors weight at all when recalculating GPA
How Colleges Evaluate These Courses
Admissions officers generally consider:
- Course rigor relative to what's available. Did you take the most challenging courses your school offers?
- Performance in those courses. A B+ in AP is generally viewed favorably compared to an A in a regular version of the same subject.
- Number of AP/IB courses. Top universities expect 7–12 AP/IB courses across four years, depending on school offerings.
- Balance. Rigor across subjects (STEM + Humanities + Arts) matters more than stacking one area.
GPA Weight Comparison Table
| Grade | Regular | Honors (+0.5) | AP/IB (+1.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| A− | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.3 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| B− | 2.7 | 3.2 | 3.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
Calculate Your Weighted GPA →
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take AP or IB?
If your school offers both, consider: AP is more flexible (pick individual courses), while IB Diploma provides a holistic education. Both are highly respected by colleges. Choose based on your school's program quality and your learning style.
Do all high schools weight AP/IB equally?
No. Most give +1.0 for both, but some treat them differently. Some schools don't weight at all. Check with your guidance counselor.
Can I self-study for AP exams?
Yes, you can take AP exams without taking the AP class. However, only the class grade affects your GPA — self-study exam scores don't appear on your school transcript.
How do Dual Enrollment courses compare?
Dual Enrollment (DE) courses are actual college classes taken in high school. Weight varies by school (+0.5 or +1.0). Unlike AP, DE grades go on a real college transcript, which means they can affect your future college GPA.
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