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FOR MY CASE: IB or A levels

Ok so I did two maths A levels early in maths and I got two B's. I'm about to go into 6th form but I've got a dilemma; would it be best to go through A levels again, or start on the IB. What would you do and why thanks.
Reply 1
Okay well, I don't have any personal experience of A-Levels, as I do the IB, but from what you said, it's not really easy to give you any definite advice. For a start, in the IB you'd be taking more subjects, so how do you think you'd be at dealing with the extra work? Also, the IB means that the subjects you take will be spread out amongst different disciplines - you'll have to take two languages, a science, maths and a humanity (history, geography, economics, business) as well as an extra choice - if you want to specialise and focus on (for example) maths and science it might not be the best system for you.

I think from experience, and from what I've read, if you don't have a definite subject path in mind and want to keep your horizons broad for now, then IB will probably serve you well. A-levels, (again from what I've heard) will be better for you if you want to focus on subjects.
Reply 2
In the IB you do more subjects and extra-curricular activities (due to CAS) which results in your studies occupying a lot more of your time than it should. This is barely recognized by any university within the UK, whereas for the A-levels you do fewer subjects (maybe in greater depth?) and don't have to do any extracurricular activities.

What it comes down to is whether or not you are willing to and want to spend lots of time on your education, if so then take the IB. Otherwise just do the A-levels, much less hassle and just as recognized academically as the IB.
Reply 3
Original post by Heeck
In the IB you do more subjects and extra-curricular activities (due to CAS) which results in your studies occupying a lot more of your time than it should. This is barely recognized by any university within the UK, whereas for the A-levels you do fewer subjects (maybe in greater depth?) and don't have to do any extracurricular activities.

What it comes down to is whether or not you are willing to and want to spend lots of time on your education, if so then take the IB. Otherwise just do the A-levels, much less hassle and just as recognized academically as the IB.


I disagree. Firstly, the IB is generally getting more and more accepted, and is showing signs of overtaking A-levels in the foreseeable future. Secondly, you do NOT go into more depth in A-levels; they're just more specified, meaning that you study a few things that will allow you into a certain career. In the IB, at HL you go into much more depth and get generally more breadth.
Reply 4
Original post by mevidek
I disagree. Firstly, the IB is generally getting more and more accepted, and is showing signs of overtaking A-levels in the foreseeable future. Secondly, you do NOT go into more depth in A-levels; they're just more specified, meaning that you study a few things that will allow you into a certain career. In the IB, at HL you go into much more depth and get generally more breadth.


Firstly the universities in the UK do accept the Ib but ask for ridiculous offers and thus I was infering unless the op doesn't mind putting more effort into getting a good university then take the Ib.

Secondly I wrote "maybe in greater depth?". Note the question mark :pierre:, meaning I don't actually know since I'm doing the IB .
Reply 5
Original post by Heeck
Firstly the universities in the UK do accept the Ib but ask for ridiculous offers and thus I was infering unless the op doesn't mind putting more effort into getting a good university then take the Ib.

Secondly I wrote "maybe in greater depth?". Note the question mark :pierre:, meaning I don't actually know since I'm doing the IB .


Many offers aren't ridiculous.

Okay, I was just setting the record straight with the second point.
Reply 6
If you want to study in the UK, I'd go with A-Levels. I'm taking IB and when applying to British unis realized that the A-Levels conditions are easier than the IB ones.. but, if you want to study somewhere else, I'd go with IB. Also, in the IB you have to choose from 6 subjects instead of 3, so perhaps it's better in case you're not 100% sure what you want to study...

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