Is the IB really harder than A-levels?
I do the IB ( going into Year 13 ) and I always say how hard it is, with doing 6 subjects, and core, and an essay and everything else - but all my A-level friends say that they have it just as bad.. really? REAAAALLY? idk.. what do you think?
I think the IB is definitely harder, and should get some recognition for that!
I think the IB is definitely harder, and should get some recognition for that!
Well, HL maths at IB is more difficult that A-level maths (although less than further maths). And the workload does tend to be more intense. Plus, you're forced to do some subjects you may not necessarily be good at, which is a further struggle. So all in all I'd say IB was more difficult (although not necessarily more useful).
Way harder, they don't have to waste portions of their lives with CAS and their EE, and I think A-Levels only requires 4 subjects instead of 6. Idk how the individual classes compare but in terms of overall workload IB is definitely more work. All my friends/family that did/do A-Levels pity me :P
Original post by NancyRoseC
I do the IB ( going into Year 13 ) and I always say how hard it is, with doing 6 subjects, and core, and an essay and everything else - but all my A-level friends say that they have it just as bad.. really? REAAAALLY? idk.. what do you think?
I think the IB is definitely harder, and should get some recognition for that!
I think the IB is definitely harder, and should get some recognition for that!
People are always going to say that what they're doing is the hardest. I think the IB is probably a better system than A Levels since you're being taught a broader syllabus, but I wouldn't say that it's necessarily harder. You study a smaller range of subjects at A Level, but you go into greater depth and spend more time on the subjects you do take.
How exactly do you propose that you get 'recognition' for doing the IB? IB takes a lot more resources to teach than A Levels, so it's not offered at most state schools. You can't really reward students just because their school happens to do IB. Additionally, I would argue that whilst IB is probably the better system from a student perspective, A Levels are better for the British University system. Contrary to most other countries in the world, in the UK you specialise in your subject from the onset so British Universities want subject specialists.
(edited 9 years ago)
I did AS for a year and IB for 2 and I think there's not really that much in it. IBs difficult is sort of overrated. Thats not to say its not difficult, but I personally think that its got a bit of a superiority complex. Also I think whichever you do youll probably get into a similar standard of uni, which shows that in the end any supposed difference in difficulty is factored in by university admissions. So I dont think either really has any advantage over the other. Also telling people your qualifications much harder than doesnt win you many friends
The thing about IB is that all essays/labs and everything... It's all really time consuming! Tbh, if I didn't need to spend so much time writing and writing.. And writing... It would be quite ok!
On the other hand there are 6 subjects +tok+cas and you can't focus on your 'important' subjects because the total amount of points also counts. And if you want to get a 6 or 7, you need to know a lot about the subject.
I can't say much about A-levels because I'm not from UK
On the other hand there are 6 subjects +tok+cas and you can't focus on your 'important' subjects because the total amount of points also counts. And if you want to get a 6 or 7, you need to know a lot about the subject.
I can't say much about A-levels because I'm not from UK
Original post by foodirl
The thing about IB is that all essays/labs and everything... It's all really time consuming! Tbh, if I didn't need to spend so much time writing and writing.. And writing... It would be quite ok!
On the other hand there are 6 subjects +tok+cas and you can't focus on your 'important' subjects because the total amount of points also counts. And if you want to get a 6 or 7, you need to know a lot about the subject.
I can't say much about A-levels because I'm not from UK
On the other hand there are 6 subjects +tok+cas and you can't focus on your 'important' subjects because the total amount of points also counts. And if you want to get a 6 or 7, you need to know a lot about the subject.
I can't say much about A-levels because I'm not from UK
Yea, it's the volume of work that gets me
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