IB to A-level conversions !!

HL maths is actually considered much harder than Further maths. So how can SL maths not be equivalent A level maths?

And I think universities really don't give IB the appreciation it deserves. For example, the top unis want AAA but 38 from IB. That means cca. having 4 sixes, 2 sevens which means you have to balance all the subjects and have good grades in all of them. Including having 2 grades higher than A (as 6 is an A).

I wasn't aware that CAS actually gained us any UCAS points. No matter, ECs don't really matter that much to UK unis anyway.

Don't tell me 3-4 subjects taken at higher isn't depth enough? I had a textbook for A level Economics last year and the content was the same as for my IB. The major difference I saw was that the questions in IB textbooks are much more evaluative as opposed to the fact-based questions in the A level textbook.

Reply 25

shiver, trust me, it really frustrates me as well to no end.

I would kill for universities to consider Maths + Physics standard as a proper qualification for university physical science (I mean, obviously its not as much preparation as the students who have it a higher; but it certainly doesn't mean SL doesn't prepare you enough at all).

Most of the courses I've checked don't even have new mathematics or physics material until the second semester at least. So far only Leicester has shown me they truly understand A-level/IB equivalence and how much is studied at standard level. The foundation year is absolutely horrible. I've done MORE maths and physics than the foundation years offer; evidently this shows that a foundation year isn't necessarily going to prepare me.

By the way shiver, which course were you talking about when you asked the question?

Reply 26

TI-84

OP

18

exactly.
IB makes you think laterally, much more than A-levels.
Also, while im not saying that HL math is much harder than Furthur maths, it is certainly the same.
All uni's demand I do HL math, however no uni asks Alevel students to do furthur math...I find that to be very very unfair.
Also to get 3 A's you only pick 3 subjets which u know your good at...and do well.
WE dont have a choice, I want to do aeronautical engineering so in A-levels i would have loved to do 4 subjects, furthur maths, maths physics and econ. (which is what im doing at HL btw :biggrin:

)
However i HAVE to do french english and itgs as well...and because of my weakness in english and french i am unable to apply to Imperial as i only have 36 points in total as opposed to the 38 minumum required...
38 means 6's in ALL subjects + 2 bonus points.
i.e. 6A's
because i have 6 in all but english and french it is restricted me from getting where i wanted.
Heck if i was doing A-levels i wouldve had a shot at Oxbridge...but no point in complaining about my decision now :wink:

im happy that i chose the IB....(kinda :-P)

Reply 27

The benefits of IB are the sort of thing only an IB student themself can appreciate really. I mean, we've done an extended essay, written a pretty philosophical essay, spent 60 hours doing creative, active and voluntary work, still took six subjects.

In the future they'll recognise it more, probably. For now, just keep working hard. :smile:

Reply 28

I wanted to apply for economics, however most top universities require A from A level maths. However, since I was told most universities only consider HL maths the equivalent of A level maths. I had HL maths predicted 5 so didn't meet the requirements. So I switched to SL instead, got a 7 and applied mostly for business. Even though I did dare apply for Eco at Edinburgh since I heard they are not so strict about maths at scottish unis.

Reply 29

timeceremony

Indeed the maths we do at Oxford is pretty easy having done HL maths, so don't worry, it pays off.

Reply 30

Glutamic Acid

17

ashwin2290

All uni's demand I do HL math, however no uni asks Alevel students to do furthur math...I find that to be very very unfair.

Eh? If you're going to do maths then most tops unis will want you to have it.

Reply 31

shiver333

I wanted to apply for economics, however most top universities require A from A level maths. However, since I was told most universities only consider HL maths the equivalent of A level maths. I had HL maths predicted 5 so didn't meet the requirements. So I switched to SL instead, got a 7 and applied mostly for business. Even though I did dare apply for Eco at Edinburgh since I heard they are not so strict about maths at scottish unis.

Ah, good old economics. Can't you apply for a BA Economics instead of a BSc in a lot of universities though, i.e. the ones that don't include as much maths?

Reply 32

yeah I complained a lot but most IB students have to study at least 2 languages on top of everything else. i guess that is one of the reasons that makes it an International Baccalaureate.

Reply 33

Yep, precisely (and it also explains the whole World Lit thing).

Reply 34

trm90

Ah, good old economics. Can't you apply for a BA Economics instead of a BSc in a lot of universities though, i.e. the ones that don't include as much maths?

yeah, in the end I applied for joint honours of eg. Economics and Politics rather than Eco and management studies.

Reply 35

For example, these are the requirements to study Government and Politics at LSE:

Course requirement: GCSE Mathematics, grade B or above. A level or IB Higher level Mathematics is desirable

Even though, it is a BSc, they don't want further maths.

Reply 36

timeceremony

shiver333

yeah I complained a lot but most IB students have to study at least 2 languages on top of everything else. i guess that is one of the reasons that makes it an International Baccalaureate.

Look people, if you want to strive for the best education, you need the hardest courses.

My model IB diploma is:

2 A1 languages
1 humanity (ie. history SL)
Maths HL
Phys HL
Chem HL
(+ visual art SL as 7th subject. This only if you choose to do 1 language B instead of A1).

or.
3 A1 languages
1 science: phys SL
History HL, Philosophy HL

These are the kind of diplomas that get you into Oxford or Cambridge. Don't whine.

Reply 37

What we're whining about is how the majority of English universities are almost completely unaware of what A-level 'equivalent' means any more. There are very few universities who are aware of the relative benefits of IB and the actual content covered in IB courses.

The above diploma doesn't 'get you' into Oxbridge. I could do Math Studies, Ecosystems, Geography at SL and History, English and Art at HL and still have a chance at a BA in Philosophy at a pretentious university. It's just the fact that IB Highers are stronger than A-level equivalents and SL subjects are generally overshadowed.

Reply 38