ISC vs CIE A levels

Hi, I take Physics, Maths and Further Maths (and Music) A Level and can confirm that on the whole, A Levels are more intense and harder as people only generally take 3-4 subjects, which means we can go deeper into them. This is mainly down to the question style of our exams isn't as straightforward and a little more twisted and problem solving based whereas the question examples here are more or less 'learn a theorem and then prove it'. From school and from reading around, top universities like Oxbridge 'prefer' A Levels over other international exams. The A Level question style will definitely help in doing admissions assessments for the subjects that have them, as even though the admissions assessments are even more twisted than the A Level questions, the A Level still provides a solid basis in terms of thinking out of the box and problem solving, which some other international examinations do not, and from the attachments you have linked, it seems as though this is the case for the Indian too. Further Maths is a HUGE step up from the UK A Level Maths, let alone the Indian, with both the content, concepts and question style becoming exponentially harder. Further M. hs is basically 80 percent of 1st year degree maths, Also remember AAA is better than A*ABBB so taking 5 subjects doesn't really put you on an edge unless you do extremely well and they actually relate to the subject you're applying for e.g. taking Hindi won't really be taken notice of if you're applying to study Physics at Oxford or Imperial. What are you interested in studying btw?

Hi, Thanks for your reply! I am taking A level Maths, further maths, physics and chemistry(CIE). I already started my course in April. I just asked this question to see what people who are doing A levels think of the curriculum lol. I am interested in studying Physics at university. What year are you in? Were you able to solve almost all the questions? (like just knowing the method). I know Oxbridge and Imperial prefer international A levels, so that’s what I took.(plus they are more enjoyable).

Hi, the ISC is an Indian high school curriculum. How do you think it compares to A levels? (Specifically CIE but comparison to other uk boards is fine as well) . Is it easier/harder than A levels? What are the main differences you notice? I’m specifically talking about Mathematics and Physics(in comparison to maths, further maths and physics a level) . I’ll leave a link to the ISC specimen papers below so that you guys can see what the curriculum is like.

Maths
Grade 11 (AS level/year 12 equivalent) - https://www.cisce.org/pdf/Class-XI-Specimen-Question-Papers-2018/Mathematics.pdf
Grade 12(A level/year 13 equivalent)- https://www.cisce.org/pdf/ISC-Class-XII-Specimen-Question-Papers-2018/Mathematics.pdf

Physics
Grade 11(AS level/year 12 equivalent) - https://cisce.org/pdf/Class-XI-Specimen-Question-Papers-2018/Physics.pdf (Theory)


Grade 12(A level/year 13 equivalent) - https://www.cisce.org/pdf/ISC-Class-XII-Specimen-Question-Papers-2018/Physics-Paper-1.pdf (Theory)
There are practical papers as well for physics .


What do you guys think? Which one is harder and which one would be better preparation for universities like Oxbridge and Imperial? I’m aware that these unis generally prefer A level qualifications and ISC , although accepted, is looked down upon. Are A levels really that much harder and better than this curriculum? Thank you. Students take 5 subjects in ISC(English is compulsory + any 4 subjects).