A levels or IB !!!!!help!!

I am currently applying for sixth forms . Most are a level and one is an Ib school. I'd love to study medicine but I'm not sure whether the Ib or a levels would be more beneficial. At first I didn't think the Ib was for me because I only wanted to do science and maths. However I went to an Ib schools open evening and It really fascinated me.

Overall I work hard each all my subjects no just maths and science. This is why I was considering the Ib. My only worry is that I'm not sure if I will be studying things that I don't really need to know much about.

Is it necessary that I do the Ib or should I stick with a levels?

Any advice?

Oh any I understand that is it my choice to make but I would just like a mix of opinions :yep:

What are the pros and cons of each and which route will I get better grades in?

Thank you :yep:

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Reply 1

Origami Bullets

19

It's a very personal decision, but I would suggest that IB is great for people who are great all-rounders, actively want to keep on 6 diverse subjects, and achieve highly in all 6 subjects. On the other hand, A Levels tend to be better for those who want to specialise more, and who tend to do better in some subjects than others.

If this

At first I didn't think the Ib was for me because I only wanted to do science and maths

is the case for you, it sounds more like you'd prefer the A Levels.

Universities aren't particularly fussed about which you do.

Reply 2

coffeecakey

6

I did IB... I was the first year in my school to do IB (the previous year did A levels, including my older Bro, so I saw the differences first hand).

A Level year got 8 successful applicants into Oxbridge, whereas IB only got 2-3 people in. However overall, students got into 'better' ranking Universities with points between 32-38... kind of indicating to me that IB students make great candidates for mid-to-high range Universities.

There are tonnes of A level applicants with the same grades, but IB gives you a better breakdown of the student's abilities + stand out much more in the crowd. A lot of my classmates complained about not being able to 'specialise' but that was a massive misconception... IB gives you every opportunity to specialise and more. It's challenging, but it's worth every second. A levels will give you the comfort of 'focusing' on three or so subjects but in reality it just means you're doing half the work of an IB student.

Ultimately, if you suck at more than 3-4 subjects and can only do well in 1-2, you should be very very afraid of IB (lol)... If you are a good student overall, IB will bring the best out of you.

Overall; A level is old. IB is the future.

PS: Totally biased post because I did IB :biggrin:

Reply 3

diana99

OP

5

Thanks guys :yes:

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A-levels 100%

OP

Original post by CeruleanC

A-levels 100%

I with u on that :yep:

But why?
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Reply 6

diana99

OP

5

*I'm

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Reply 7

CeruleanC

4

From my experience A-Levels are not only more respected but whenever IB is mentioned the majority of people don't even know what it is. The students in shall I say 'richer areas' who have planned and been preparing for Uni all their lives etc also seem to prioritise A-Levels. I'm not saying you should just copy everyone else but weigh up the pros and cons of either.I'd say they are both equally difficult so ultimately it's down to personal preference (the subjects u want to do) But I am all for A-Levels!!!

Reply 8

CeruleanC

4

Original post by diana99

*I'm

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Also, in response to the previous post about A-Levels are old, IB is the future. This is true and u don't know what opinions Ppl will have of IB in the future, but remember that the best universities usually tend to prefer tradition!

Reply 9

diana99

OP

5

Original post by CeruleanC

Also, in response to the previous post about A-Levels are old, IB is the future. This is true and u don't know what opinions Ppl will have of IB in the future, but remember that the best universities usually tend to prefer tradition!

Thanks

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Reply 10

syl31

Im currently an international IB student, so I dont really know much about A Levels and stuff.
But for IB, I personally found it really hard to manage... First, im more of a science student, but IB requires me to take at least one humanity subject. I chose geography, and it ends up giving me the ****tiest grade on earth. It greatly affected my overall grades.
And the workloads are really driving ppl crazy. Having all the essays, lab reports, EE, TOK and compulsory activities, I barely sleep before 1am, and so as my frds.
However, I attended some uni talks, eg durham, the ppl told me that they nowadays prefer IB students more than A Levels and other. They think that the ib students in general are more all-rounded and they think student can really take great advantage under the uni style education of IB...

Reply 11

diana99

OP

5

Original post by syl31

Im currently an international IB student, so I dont really know much about A Levels and stuff.
But for IB, I personally found it really hard to manage... First, im more of a science student, but IB requires me to take at least one humanity subject. I chose geography, and it ends up giving me the ****tiest grade on earth. It greatly affected my overall grades.
And the workloads are really driving ppl crazy. Having all the essays, lab reports, EE, TOK and compulsory activities, I barely sleep before 1am, and so as my frds.
However, I attended some uni talks, eg durham, the ppl told me that they nowadays prefer IB students more than A Levels and other. They think that the ib students in general are more all-rounded and they think student can really take great advantage under the uni style education of IB...

Okay thanks . With a level you only take 4 subjects at AS (year 12 ) then carry one three of them and drop one for the the second year which is A2 (year 13)

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Reply 12

diana99

OP

5

So for a level you finish with 3 A2 grades and 1 AS .

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Reply 13

diana99

OP

5

Original post by syl31

Im an international IB student. I hav no idea what is A level all about..but personally I find IB REALLY hard to manage.
Im science and math type of person, however, having a

What did you get for GCSE ?

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Reply 14

syl31

I didnt take GCSE, and I think im not a really smart person. But I got
Chi A L&L 7
Eng A L&L 6
Math SL 7
Chem HL 7
Bio HL 7
Geog HL 5

Probably get 1 for EE and TOK

Reply 15

diana99

OP

5

Original post by syl31

I didnt take GCSE, and I think im not a really smart person. But I got
Chi A L&L 7
Eng A L&L 6
Math SL 7
Chem HL 7
Bio HL 7
Geog HL 5

Probably get 1 for EE and TOK

Those results look pretty good in my opinion. :biggrin:

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Reply 16

diana99

OP

5

Original post by syl31

I didnt take GCSE, and I think im not a really smart person. But I got
Chi A L&L 7
Eng A L&L 6
Math SL 7
Chem HL 7
Bio HL 7
Geog HL 5

Probably get 1 for EE and TOK

Is geography hard?
And what does L&L mean? :yes:

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Reply 17

syl31

Hahha the result is average :biggrin:

L&L mean language and literature, and u leanrn both language in media, language in cultural context etc..meanwhile u learn less on literature
U get to choose between language&literature OR Literature
Literature on the other hand requires a lot of readings and more analysis

Reply 18

syl31

Geography is HARD
But really highly depends on u. Some of ny frds think it is easy
We learn human geography..such as finanacial flow, poverty, globalisation etc
U hav to remember a lot of case studies before u go for exam, for example how does a water bond disease spread, or about the relief done after a Natural disaster
TORTURE FOR ME

Reply 19

username941859

18

Original post by syl31

Geography is HARD
But really highly depends on u. Some of ny frds think it is easy
We learn human geography..such as finanacial flow, poverty, globalisation etc
U hav to remember a lot of case studies before u go for exam, for example how does a water bond disease spread, or about the relief done after a Natural disaster
TORTURE FOR ME

Geography IB was the easiest ****ing thing in the world. You could literally make up your case studies, I got a 6 off the back of making them up

A levels or IB !!!!!help!!

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