Here's a UK med school 5 year program directly from IB diploma. Of course, it is hard to compare as high school in UK is very different from US. Which is the point of my earlier post. They also have level As etc. I am not sure of the details. And perhaps Germany is different. And yes I know there are a few 6 year pre-Med/ Med programs in the US to which an AP student may gain entry.
My point is that IB courses are "college level" and that it is a matter of semantics to describe them as rigourous high school courses as opposed to AP being college level material.
Here is an example of UK medical school admission requirements for IB diploma receipients:
http://www.medicine.bham.ac.uk/ug/mbchb/guidance.shtml
MBChB Five Year Medical Course
University of Birmingham, UK
Admissions requirements:
International Baccalaureate
The following are the requirements which are acceptable for entry to our medical course. Chemistry is compulsory at higher level and if Physics is not being offered at higher or standard level it must be held at GCSE/O level at grade A.
Higher Level: Chemistry and Biology or Physics, and one other approved subject. Grade 6s are normally required.
Subsidiary Level: The subjects must include English, Biology and also Maths if not offered at the higher level.
Marion: I agree. I think that the fact you may not self-study for IB exams is evidence of their rigor. However, some schools offer a certificate program in which students may select some IB courses rather than completing the enitre diploma program.