The five side by side
| Item | AP | IB Diploma | A Level (Cambridge) | IGCSE (Cambridge) | GCSE (England) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | College-level courses and exams in single subjects | A two-year package of six subjects plus a core | Single-subject qualifications; AS is the first half | Single-subject qualification, usually ages 14 to 16 | England's qualification at 16, 9 to 1 |
| Run by | College Board | International Baccalaureate Organization | Cambridge University Press & Assessment | Cambridge University Press & Assessment | Exam boards such as AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR |
| Grades | 1 to 5 per exam | 1 to 7 per subject; up to 45 in total with the core | A* to E (AS: a to e) | A* to G | 9 to 1 (4 is a standard pass, 5 a strong pass) |
| Exams | May | May and November | June and November (March in India) | June and November (March in India) | Summer; November only for English language and maths |
| How colleges use it | US colleges decide credit and placement for each score | Recognized for admission by universities worldwide | Cambridge says leading universities accept it grade for grade with UK A Levels | Cambridge says its standard is comparable to GCSE | Used for post-16 entry in England |
| On Tutix | Seven ready-made programs | Custom classes from your syllabus | Custom classes (ready-made programs planned) | Five ready-made programs | Custom classes |
Choosing between them
You often do not choose: your school or country decides. Where you can choose, think about three things.
- Breadth or depth. The IB Diploma asks for six subjects plus a core, so it is broad. A Levels and AP let you specialise in a few subjects.
- Where you want to study. US colleges understand AP and the IB. UK universities understand A Levels and the IB. Check the entry requirements of the places you are aiming at.
- How you like to be assessed. AP and A Level lean on final exams; the IB also assesses coursework and an extended essay.
Ready-made programs exist today for AP and IGCSE: compare them.
What these exams have in common
All five reward the same habits: practising exam-style questions, learning the command words each board uses, and knowing which topics carry the most marks. Those are what a tutor can help with whichever curriculum you are on. See every exam we tutor for.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between AP and IB?
AP is a set of single-subject college-level exams, usually taken in US high schools and scored 1 to 5. The IB Diploma is a two-year package of six subjects plus a core (Theory of Knowledge, an extended essay and CAS), scored out of 45.
Is IGCSE the same as GCSE?
Cambridge says it aligns IGCSE standards with the GCSE taken in England, and a benchmarking study cited in its syllabus found them comparable. They are different qualifications with different boards and grading scales.
What is the difference between AS Level and A Level?
AS Level is the first half of an A Level and can be taken on its own. Cambridge AS candidates are eligible for grades a to e (in lower case) and A Level candidates for A* to E.
Which curriculum is easiest?
None is easy and none is the same as another. Choose by where you want to study and what suits how you learn, and ask your school what is on offer.
Can Tutix teach the IB or A Level?
Yes. Tell the tutor your subject and syllabus or upload your own notes and it builds the classes around them. Ready-made programs exist for AP and IGCSE.
Sources
- Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge University Press & Assessment (accessed October 21, 2026)
- Cambridge IGCSE: grading choice, Cambridge University Press & Assessment (accessed October 21, 2026)
- Syllabus 9709, AS & A Level Mathematics, 2026-2027, Cambridge University Press & Assessment (version 4)
- GCSE 9 to 1 grade scale explained, GOV.UK (June 30, 2025)
- The AP score scale, College Board (accessed October 21, 2026)
- Getting credit and placement, College Board (accessed October 21, 2026)
- The IB Diploma Programme: curriculum and assessment, International Baccalaureate Organization (accessed October 21, 2026)
Keep reading
AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site. Cambridge IGCSE® and Cambridge International AS & A Level are trademarks of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site. IB and International Baccalaureate® are registered trademarks of the International Baccalaureate Organization, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site. GCSE qualifications are regulated in England and awarded by exam boards such as AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR, none of which is affiliated with, or endorses, this site.
