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what are UK A-levels equivalent to in the US?
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Original post by green chica
Yep. And we only get a half year to a year to learn everything, and only one exam per subject. Most people I know took...7 to 8 AP classes and exams over a course of 3 years. I did IB AND AP and the AP classes are much harder than IB. From what I've gathered, people on here think IB and A-Levels are about the same, so for people to say that A-Levels are harder when AP is harder than IB is ludicrous. Before going on TSR, I'd never even heard of retakes. I think it's crazy that you guys get to retake an exam. Wish we had that option.
Seeing as you haven't sat A-levels yourself by your own admission, what makes you more qualified to compare them than those who have said the exact opposite?
I'd be far more interested in reading the opinion of someone who's did both, would be even better if they're not British/American by nationality (because lets face it, it will factor in your decision..)
Nice thread, how does Harvard look at A-levels? I'm well informed on the American college entrance exams and etc since I'm planning to apply to Brown for their PLME course but Harvard is a mystery.
The PLME course is scarily competitive, I mean this course rejects candidates who have received offers from HYP on daily bases and hence I'm not optimistic. They told me that they offer financial support but that only 1 international gets it and hence I'm likely to get rejected. If that's the case then I'll apply to maths in the UK next year and economics in the US.
My grades are A*AABb, I'm taking 3 extra qualifications and I'm predicted D2(Cambridge Pre U), A*A. They should be good grades but top American unis could fuss about me not having all A*s. When I called Brown they told me they will be expecting me to achieve the A-level requirements asked by Oxbridge. When I called Harvard the lady on the phone did not even know what A-levels was.
The PLME course is scarily competitive, I mean this course rejects candidates who have received offers from HYP on daily bases and hence I'm not optimistic. They told me that they offer financial support but that only 1 international gets it and hence I'm likely to get rejected. If that's the case then I'll apply to maths in the UK next year and economics in the US.
My grades are A*AABb, I'm taking 3 extra qualifications and I'm predicted D2(Cambridge Pre U), A*A. They should be good grades but top American unis could fuss about me not having all A*s. When I called Brown they told me they will be expecting me to achieve the A-level requirements asked by Oxbridge. When I called Harvard the lady on the phone did not even know what A-levels was.
Original post by Threxy
Seeing as you haven't sat A-levels yourself by your own admission, what makes you more qualified to compare them than those who have said the exact opposite?
I'd be far more interested in reading the opinion of someone who's did both, would be even better if they're not British/American by nationality (because lets face it, it will factor in your decision..)
I'd be far more interested in reading the opinion of someone who's did both, would be even better if they're not British/American by nationality (because lets face it, it will factor in your decision..)
I am more qualified because I have done IB and AP. And, due to the fact I know that
1. AP is harder than IB
and
2. People have claimed on here that IB is harder than A-Levels,
I can simply use logic to discern that AP is in fact harder than A-Levels.
And I highly doubt you will find many people who have done both AP and A-Levels.
Original post by green chica
I am more qualified because I have done IB and AP. And, due to the fact I know that
1. AP is harder than IB
and
2. People have claimed on here that IB is harder than A-Levels,
I can simply use logic to discern that AP is in fact harder than A-Levels.
And I highly doubt you will find many people who have done both AP and A-Levels.
1. AP is harder than IB
and
2. People have claimed on here that IB is harder than A-Levels,
I can simply use logic to discern that AP is in fact harder than A-Levels.
And I highly doubt you will find many people who have done both AP and A-Levels.
I guess the difficulty of all these courses depends on how the syllabus suits each candidate. In my school, IB is always seen as tougher than A levels, and AP is always compared to SATII. Of course, since I'm only doing IB, I'm in no position to comment on the rigour of other courses. But I have a friend who prefers the IB over A levels because she likes learning more subjects with the coursework component, instead of just focusing on exams. I'm guessing the AP provides some flexibility too, since you can select your own modules, so that might suit some people. I think all of these courses are viewed similarly when it comes to uni entrance. It's just that A levels is more popular in the UK, and AP may be more popular in the US.
Original post by green chica
AP and the AP classes are much harder than IB
Sorry, but I think AP is much easier than IB. I too did a combination of the IB Diploma (History HL, Bio HL, Chem HL, English HL, Math SL, Psych SL, German SL) and extra AP classes (Calc BC, Physics C, Env. Sci). Since my school paid for AP exams if we were taking the equivalent IB class, I also took several other AP exams (Bio, Chem, English Lit, US History, Psych, German).
There was just no comparison, especially in terms of exams. People that were barely scraping 5's on IB exams were getting 4's and 5's with ease on AP exams. Virtually every AP exam has massive sections devoted to rather easy multiple choice questions, which is not the case with IB exams (except the sciences).
That's not to mention all of the extra requirements of IB -- CAS hours, TOK, Extended Essay, Group 4 Projects, Oral Commentaries, World Lit Papers, math portfolios...it just goes on and on.
I'd say only one AP class is harder than IB, and that's physics; for whatever reason, IB physics steers away from the use of calculus.
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by devil09
Sorry, but I think AP is much easier than IB. I too did a combination of the IB Diploma (History HL, Bio HL, Chem HL, English HL, Math SL, Psych SL, German SL) and extra AP classes (Calc BC, Physics C, Env. Sci). Since my school paid for AP exams if we were taking the equivalent IB class, I also took several other AP exams (Bio, Chem, English Lit, US History, Psych, German).
There was just no comparison, especially in terms of exams. People that were barely scraping 5's on IB exams were getting 4's and 5's with ease on AP exams. Virtually every AP exam has massive sections devoted to rather easy multiple choice questions, which is not the case with IB exams (except the sciences).
That's not to mention all of the extra requirements of IB -- CAS hours, TOK, Extended Essay, Group 4 Projects, Oral Commentaries, World Lit Papers, math portfolios...it just goes on and on.
I'd say only one AP class is harder than IB, and that's physics; for whatever reason, IB physics steers away from the use of calculus.
Sorry, but I think AP is much easier than IB. I too did a combination of the IB Diploma (History HL, Bio HL, Chem HL, English HL, Math SL, Psych SL, German SL) and extra AP classes (Calc BC, Physics C, Env. Sci). Since my school paid for AP exams if we were taking the equivalent IB class, I also took several other AP exams (Bio, Chem, English Lit, US History, Psych, German).
There was just no comparison, especially in terms of exams. People that were barely scraping 5's on IB exams were getting 4's and 5's with ease on AP exams. Virtually every AP exam has massive sections devoted to rather easy multiple choice questions, which is not the case with IB exams (except the sciences).
That's not to mention all of the extra requirements of IB -- CAS hours, TOK, Extended Essay, Group 4 Projects, Oral Commentaries, World Lit Papers, math portfolios...it just goes on and on.
I'd say only one AP class is harder than IB, and that's physics; for whatever reason, IB physics steers away from the use of calculus.
I second this, A-levels and IB are much harder than AP. Moreover, the multiple choice questions in IB are in not comparable to AP, they are more challenging.
Aside from that, Pre U stands at the top of the scale right now. Pre U covers much wider syllabuses and American Unis know well about it. I would advise anyone applying to the US to do the Pre U. It will give them an edge.
Original post by jokosor
I second this, A-levels and IB are much harder than AP. Moreover, the multiple choice questions in IB are in not comparable to AP, they are more challenging.
Aside from that, Pre U stands at the top of the scale right now. Pre U covers much wider syllabuses and American Unis know well about it. I would advise anyone applying to the US to do the Pre U. It will give them an edge.
Aside from that, Pre U stands at the top of the scale right now. Pre U covers much wider syllabuses and American Unis know well about it. I would advise anyone applying to the US to do the Pre U. It will give them an edge.
It is hard to compare different exam/courses simply because of different styles of learning/examining that there are. Take SATs for example, I know extremely bright and high achieving students from the UK education system who got terrible marks in SATs because they are so different (from what they said) to the exam styles we have in the UK. Similarly, the ways AP and A-levels or IB courses are learned/examined will favour those who are familiar with that system. Someone from the UK taking APs might find them harder if they are used to A-level style exams, and vise versa.
Original post by green chica
I am more qualified because I have done IB and AP. And, due to the fact I know that
1. AP is harder than IB
and
2. People have claimed on here that IB is harder than A-Levels,
I can simply use logic to discern that AP is in fact harder than A-Levels.
And I highly doubt you will find many people who have done both AP and A-Levels.
1. AP is harder than IB
and
2. People have claimed on here that IB is harder than A-Levels,
I can simply use logic to discern that AP is in fact harder than A-Levels.
And I highly doubt you will find many people who have done both AP and A-Levels.
Not many people have did both IB and A-levels either seeing as people pick one or the other, but no, that does not make you more qualified to compare them. Your argument is basically "well.. I've read this on the internet, so that must mean I'm right".
If you're using logic, then answer me.. if the US AP classes are so rigorous, then why are they officially classed at AS standard (that's half an A-level) for university entrance? And why do American kids take so many of them (up to 6-7) when most people only take three A-levels to full A2? And the few people that do end up taking 5+ A-levels end up never having time to do much else besides study, in fact it's nearly impossible to find a school timetable with enough space to accomodate more than four A-levels. The only conclusion I can come to there is that smart American kids either live like slaves to do well in AP, or there's not as much depth in them as you think.
Until you've did both or can find an objective study on it, you're just sounding off about something which you in fact know sweet FA about.
Original post by Threxy
Not many people have did both IB and A-levels either seeing as people pick one or the other, but no, that does not make you more qualified to compare them. Your argument is basically "well.. I've read this on the internet, so that must mean I'm right".
If you're using logic, then answer me.. if the US AP classes are so rigorous, then why are they officially classed at AS standard (that's half an A-level) for university entrance? And why do American kids take so many of them (up to 6-7) when most people only take three A-levels to full A2? And the few people that do end up taking 5+ A-levels end up never having time to do much else besides study, in fact it's nearly impossible to find a school timetable with enough space to accomodate more than four A-levels. The only conclusion I can come to there is that smart American kids either live like slaves to do well in AP, or there's not as much depth in them as you think.
Until you've did both or can find an objective study on it, you're just sounding off about something which you in fact know sweet FA about.
If you're using logic, then answer me.. if the US AP classes are so rigorous, then why are they officially classed at AS standard (that's half an A-level) for university entrance? And why do American kids take so many of them (up to 6-7) when most people only take three A-levels to full A2? And the few people that do end up taking 5+ A-levels end up never having time to do much else besides study, in fact it's nearly impossible to find a school timetable with enough space to accomodate more than four A-levels. The only conclusion I can come to there is that smart American kids either live like slaves to do well in AP, or there's not as much depth in them as you think.
Until you've did both or can find an objective study on it, you're just sounding off about something which you in fact know sweet FA about.
Oh dear lord. I'm giving you a real life example. If you want to throw that out for theory and technicality, then do as you will.
A Level = Hard and really in depth. Most people do 3/4 over 2 years. Allows people to play to their strengths, i.e. pick subjects they are best at. Now that it is modular, it actually isn't as difficult, given that most people are not doing anything else massively time consuming alongside them, but you still come out at the end knowing a lot about your subject, equivalent to freshman year in the US.
IB = Moderate difficulty exams, but you have to do what, 5/6 subjects? IB is perceived as difficult because there is little consensus from universities in terms of how they ought to compare it from A levels - some think 36 points is equivalent to AAA but some (no one's looking at you Oxbridge) make offers at 40 or even 42 points, which means you have to ace a lot of exams, difficult in a syllabus which doesn't allow people to play to their strengths, ie. a very mathsy person would still need to do a language etc.
AP - I have to be honest, these do not look difficult. Forgive my arrogance, but the content of the exams does not seem hugely strenuous. BUT they would become really difficult when you are expected to do 5 or 6 of them, as well as the appalling levels of extra curriculars high flying US students are pressured into doing. It would be reasonable in my (admitedly limited) view to expect a good student to nail a few APs in a year, but if they are waking up every morning for swimming practice, directing a play after school, student president as well as completing the requisites for a high school diploma (don't forget that most students do APs as an advanced extra, on top of a normal school day).
So yeah... I suspect actually that US students work harder. I have met a lot at top us colleges and they really are very balanced, hard working and competitive in a way that UK peers are not. In my view, the American system is geared towards producing innovative, flexible and creative members of society who can contribute in a multitude of ways. Britain's whole academic system is geared towards producing specialists. Even nominally open ended degrees like English or History effectively create graduates who would likely struggle when asked to use basic calculus, but would be really good at English or History in a way few US peers are. Of course the skills they pick up along the way with a focused humanities degree means they are much brighter prospects for academia, law or bureaucracy than US peers (evidenced by the much faster process of becoming a a lawyer in the UK than America - Brits are further along on the way to being a lawyer than a Yank of the same age)
IB = Moderate difficulty exams, but you have to do what, 5/6 subjects? IB is perceived as difficult because there is little consensus from universities in terms of how they ought to compare it from A levels - some think 36 points is equivalent to AAA but some (no one's looking at you Oxbridge) make offers at 40 or even 42 points, which means you have to ace a lot of exams, difficult in a syllabus which doesn't allow people to play to their strengths, ie. a very mathsy person would still need to do a language etc.
AP - I have to be honest, these do not look difficult. Forgive my arrogance, but the content of the exams does not seem hugely strenuous. BUT they would become really difficult when you are expected to do 5 or 6 of them, as well as the appalling levels of extra curriculars high flying US students are pressured into doing. It would be reasonable in my (admitedly limited) view to expect a good student to nail a few APs in a year, but if they are waking up every morning for swimming practice, directing a play after school, student president as well as completing the requisites for a high school diploma (don't forget that most students do APs as an advanced extra, on top of a normal school day).
So yeah... I suspect actually that US students work harder. I have met a lot at top us colleges and they really are very balanced, hard working and competitive in a way that UK peers are not. In my view, the American system is geared towards producing innovative, flexible and creative members of society who can contribute in a multitude of ways. Britain's whole academic system is geared towards producing specialists. Even nominally open ended degrees like English or History effectively create graduates who would likely struggle when asked to use basic calculus, but would be really good at English or History in a way few US peers are. Of course the skills they pick up along the way with a focused humanities degree means they are much brighter prospects for academia, law or bureaucracy than US peers (evidenced by the much faster process of becoming a a lawyer in the UK than America - Brits are further along on the way to being a lawyer than a Yank of the same age)
(edited 12 years ago)
The awkward moment when a new OP takes over a year later.
So if AP is to A Level, what is High School Diploma to? GCSEs?
Original post by CherryCherryBoomBoom
So if AP is to A Level, what is High School Diploma to? GCSEs?
hmm. similar but not that similar
Original post by CherryCherryBoomBoom
So if AP is to A Level, what is High School Diploma to? GCSEs?
GCSE's are apparently easier.
Original post by green chica
I am more qualified because I have done IB and AP. And, due to the fact I know that
1. AP is harder than IB
and
2. People have claimed on here that IB is harder than A-Levels,
I can simply use logic to discern that AP is in fact harder than A-Levels.
And I highly doubt you will find many people who have done both AP and A-Levels.
1. AP is harder than IB
and
2. People have claimed on here that IB is harder than A-Levels,
I can simply use logic to discern that AP is in fact harder than A-Levels.
And I highly doubt you will find many people who have done both AP and A-Levels.
I have done both the AP exams and A-levels. AP exams remind me of what I did when I was 16.
I must add though that I don't do the UK A Levels. I do my own country's A Levels.
I would rate
AP exams< UK A Levels< my country's A Levels
Original post by Threxy
GCSE's are apparently easier.
lol no, gaining a high school diploma is slightly easier compared to GCSE's.
Original post by ifstatement
lol no, gaining a high school diploma is slightly easier compared to GCSE's.
I've never done a High School Diploma, only GCSEs, but according to some semi-American guy on here, GCSEs are easy compared to the American HSD, whereas A-levels are harder than AP.
It wouldn't surprise me. GCSEs are really easy. Anyone that actually cares a little can pass them, the only people that seem to fail are the types that don't turn up to exams or scribble on the paper or something. lol.
IB is harder than AP and A Levels. I did a few weeks of A Levels before swapping to IB and A levels had NOTHING on the IB
Original post by ifstatement
lol no, gaining a high school diploma is slightly easier compared to GCSE's.
An American high school diploma? I'm afraid to say there really isn't such a thing. Standards differ so broadly from state to state, and even from district to district, that the difficulty and rigor of an American high school diploma is really unpredictable.
We use AP exams and SAT I/II to compare university-bound students. AP exams are certainly more advanced than GCSE's, and at my high school pretty much every student who intended to study at a university took AP courses (about 1/3 of the students), especially Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English.
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