IB or A-levels?

Liv.O

12

--

(edited 4 months ago)

Reply 1

SedraS

10

Original post

by Liv.O

My favourite/ best subjects are maths and physics and I have always planned to do maths, FM, and physics at A-level but now I have been offered a place at an IB school and am wondering if I should accept it. I'm quite good at most subjects but will all of the workload be too much? I tend to procrastinate and I'm not sure how well i'll cope as I hear it's pretty hard. Also, I heard it's easier to get A*A*A at A-levels than 40+ points at IB.
IB students- please help me out- how do you find the workload? Is it overwhelming and how smart do I have to be to do well- do the benefits outweigh the odds or are A-levels a better option?
Thanks, please help!

If you are sure about which subjects you want to do, then DEFINITELY CHOOSE A LEVELS!!
In IB, you take six subjects, which require a lot of work (even though three are at Higher Level and three are at Standard Level, the SL subjects also require a lot of effort).
Plus, in addition to your already full workload, you have to complete an IA for each subject, and CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service), AND an Extended Essay.
The only possible benefit is that it gets you accustomed to having a lot to do and it apparently makes you more prepared for the workload in uni.
But in terms of grades, A-levels are more efficient (IB = more subjects = you have to distribute the time you spend on each subject, whereas A-levels alllow you to focus on three)
I would definitely say A-levels are a better option, especially if you tend to procrastinate.

Reply 2

iL1L

Volunteer Team

20

Original post

by Liv.O

My favourite/ best subjects are maths and physics and I have always planned to do maths, FM, and physics at A-level but now I have been offered a place at an IB school and am wondering if I should accept it. I'm quite good at most subjects but will all of the workload be too much? I tend to procrastinate and I'm not sure how well i'll cope as I hear it's pretty hard. Also, I heard it's easier to get A*A*A at A-levels than 40+ points at IB.
IB students- please help me out- how do you find the workload? Is it overwhelming and how smart do I have to be to do well- do the benefits outweigh the odds or are A-levels a better option?
Thanks, please help!

You sound smart, but be warned that the workload really is overwhelming (I echo @SedraS), and yes, IB vs A-level grades are not equal.

Reply 3

Liv.O

OP

12

Original post

by SedraS

If you are sure about which subjects you want to do, then DEFINITELY CHOOSE A LEVELS!!
In IB, you take six subjects, which require a lot of work (even though three are at Higher Level and three are at Standard Level, the SL subjects also require a lot of effort).
Plus, in addition to your already full workload, you have to complete an IA for each subject, and CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service), AND an Extended Essay.
The only possible benefit is that it gets you accustomed to having a lot to do and it apparently makes you more prepared for the workload in uni.
But in terms of grades, A-levels are more efficient (IB = more subjects = you have to distribute the time you spend on each subject, whereas A-levels alllow you to focus on three)
I would definitely say A-levels are a better option, especially if you tend to procrastinate.

Thanks, it just kinda feels like a wasted opportunity but I just have no clue if i would do well or not- not sure if I should take the risk

Reply 4

BCU Student Rep

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Liv.O

My favourite/ best subjects are maths and physics and I have always planned to do maths, FM, and physics at A-level but now I have been offered a place at an IB school and am wondering if I should accept it. I'm quite good at most subjects but will all of the workload be too much? I tend to procrastinate and I'm not sure how well i'll cope as I hear it's pretty hard. Also, I heard it's easier to get A*A*A at A-levels than 40+ points at IB.
IB students- please help me out- how do you find the workload? Is it overwhelming and how smart do I have to be to do well- do the benefits outweigh the odds or are A-levels a better option?
Thanks, please help!

Hi @Liv.O,

There are tons of pros and cons listed online about whether you should opt for A-Levels or IB, and both qualifications have their own perks. I was in a similar situation to you as well before I did my A-Levels, but my tutor said to me, "If you already have an idea of which degree you want to go into, and which subjects you like, then opt for A-Levels". As A-Levels only focus on 3-4 subjects, it prepares you for the degree you intend to study- whereas IB offers a lot more subjects which gives you the flexibility to decide on a degree later down the line if you are still unsure.

I already had an idea of which pathway I wanted to go down, so I opted for A-Levels.

Hope this helps,
Danish
BCU Student Rep

IB or A-levels?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated