<p>@MrQWERTY I understand for your sons case that doing all those advanced courses at his age is fantastic, it really is. But when I look at your sons schedule, I see many math based classes and a language, maybe it required or he actually enjoys it. When I sad well rounded, I meant IB is best for students that do well in all four core plus a foreign language. It’s really hard to do well in IB if you are terrible in English, because IB emphasizes essays and critical thinking. I’m sure ap does that too but in IB, you depended on how well you do in every subject with the required IA’s, CAS hours, 3/4 HL and 2/3 SL classes and making a 4+, and your EE. AP doesn’t require that, it sometimes doesn’t even require a class to pass the AP test. <em>I went off topic kind of, sorry</em> And yes IB does require you to take advanced classes even if you aren’t ready, but nothing actually prepares you for IB, it’s very different. It’s taken at a world view verses a western POV. And you do have some flexibility in IB, you can choose your classes, but you’re suck with those classes for two years which does suck in a way. But on the other hand, if you’re truely interested inthe subjects, then you have the ability to go way more in-depth then AP. Both AP and IB have there pros and cons, and it also depends on the type of person you are. I am more of a well rounded person, I do better in English and Math but science and history are right behind them and my foreign language is catching up, so IB is a better fit for me. Your son is a math whiz, so him taking many math based classes are more ideal for him seeing that those are his obvious strengths and wants to show them off to colleges. <em>thumbs up</em> Me doing activities and programs that show I’m pretty good at all subjects is what I want to show off. (UIL in Literary Criticism and maybe Biology/science? And IB, and music awards<em>all-region and solo and ensemble</em> etc.) and you are right about the HL exams and colleges not seeing what I will receive, so I am planning on taking some subject tests and maybe an AP exam or two for corresponding IB classes if I think it’s doable. And then there is always placement testing in college(Spanish Definitely!)</p>