AP/IB/CIE Coursework
The goal of the State Board of Education is that “all students will graduate from a rigorous, relevant academic program that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to succeed in both post-secondary education and 21st Century careers and to be participating, engaged citizens.” (NC Board of Education, Standard Course of Study-016)
To provide rigor in schools, most public high schools in North Carolina offer college-level coursework such as Advanced Placement (AP) courses, delivered either through face-to-face instruction or via NC Virtual Public School (NCVPS). Some public high schools also offer International Baccalaureate courses (IB), including the IB Diploma Programme and/or Career-related Programme. And some other public high schools offer courses through Cambridge International Education (CIE).
On this site, you will find resources and information to support student advancement through college-level courses offered in high schools across NC.
The College Board defines Advanced Placement (AP) courses as “rigorous, college-level classes in a variety of subjects that give students the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school by scoring a 3 or higher (5-point scale) on the AP exam associated with that course.” Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board, which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American colleges and universities may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the examinations.
In North Carolina, 40 AP courses are offered in public high schools. For more information about College Board courses and resources, visit their website: http://apstudents.collegeboard.org/
AP exams are administered during two weeks in May of each school year. Testing coordinators are responsible for notifying students when and where to report for the exams. Early testing or testing at times other than those published by the College Board is not permitted under any circumstances.
International Baccalaureate (IB) courses follow a curriculum created by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), a non-profit educational foundation located in Cardiff, Wales. Students can take individual IB classes and earn a certificate of completion for each class (with a score of 4 or higher on the corresponding IB exam) or can be IB diploma students, which is a 2-year program for juniors and seniors. Students who decide to pursue an IB diploma must complete a specific set of courses, the Theory of Knowledge course, a 4,000-word Extended Essay, and 150 hours of creativity, action, and service hours.
The International Baccalaureate Organization also offers a Primary Years Program (PYP) and a Middle Years Program (MYP).
In North Carolina, 32 public high schools offer the IB Diploma Program (DP) and 12 public high schools offer the IB Career-related Program (CP).
To learn more about the International Baccalaureate Organization, visit their website: International education - International Baccalaureate®
The Cambridge Pathway includes five stages in the path for a student's education success including the Early Years, Primary, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary, and Advanced. There are 8 high schools in NC that offer the Cambridge Program.
Cambridge offers over 40 college-level courses in its Cambridge Advanced program in the US. AS Level courses are one-year courses, equivalent to the first semester college course, typically receiving 3-4 college credits. A Level courses are two-year courses, equivalent to the first and second semesters of a college course, receiving 6-8 credits.
To learn more about Cambridge International Education, visit their website: http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/
NC AP/IB/CIE Exam and Registration Fees Guidance
In summer 2014, with SL2013-360 section 8.27, the General Assembly modified 115C.83.4A to enhance access and encourage participation in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses by appropriating funds to pay for AP and IB exams for public school or charter school students who are enrolled in the corresponding AP/IB courses.
In the summer of 2017, with SL2017-57 section 7.28, the General Assembly modified 115C-174.26A and SL2013-360 section 8.27 to include Cambridge International Education (CIE) AS-Level and A-Level courses as eligible advanced courses. This funding covers May 2025 exams.
AP/IB/CIE Exam Fees Guidance, 2024-2025
AP/IB/CIE Teacher Legislated Bonus Payment Information
Based on Session Law 2018-5, Senate Bill 99, Section 8.10, some Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge International Education (CIE) teachers are eligible for bonus pay in January 2025 based on their students’ scores from the May 2024 administration of AP, IB, and CIE exams. This is based on legislation to reward advanced course teacher performance and support teacher retention, as well as to encourage student learning and improvement.
2024 AP/IB/CIE Legislated Teacher Bonuses
Weighted GPA Points for AP/IB/CIE Courses
AP, IB, and CIE courses are designed to enable students to earn high scores on the AP/IB/CIE assessments, potentially leading to college credit. These courses provide credit toward a high school diploma. These courses require an End of Course (EOC) test in cases where the AP/IB/CIE course is the first course taken by a student in a subject where an EOC is required by the NC accountability program. The state course weighting system awards the equivalent of one (1) quality point to the grade earned in an AP/IB/CIE course. (SBE policy GRAD-009)
High School Transcript Standards
SBE Policy GRAD-008 Advanced Courses Satisfying Graduation Requirements
As outlined in State Board of Education policy GRAD-008 and pursuant to state graduation requirements, several Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge International Examination (CIE) courses satisfy North Carolina State Board of Education graduation requirements. See link below for a course listing within the policy.
Report to the NC General Assembly: Broaden Successful Participation in Advanced Courses
This NCDPI report responds to the requirements of North Carolina General Statute § 115C-174.26, legislation establishing the NC Advanced Placement Partnership and the continuing work to broaden access and successful participation in advanced coursework in NC public schools.