IB vs. A-levels

With A levels, you only have to study the subjects you want, but if you change your mind drastically about your future career it can be a much bigger problem with A levels than with IB.

Correct me if I'm wrong but i doubt many a-level students have to write a 4000 word report?

Hey,
I'm really torn between the IB and A-levels, and just wanted to know the Pros & Cons of choosing the IB. I've heard it's really hard (I just looked at a Spanish Standard paper and I was like 'woah' ) but Universities love it...so I want to know your opinions on the IB

I'm in this situation....but I'm more drawn to A-levels. For now I have just picked 4 A-levels instead of the IB course.

Is it the case that the IB is more about breadth rather than depth?

Yep.

If I didn't 'actually learn things' and 'pick up genuine skills', I doubt I would have got into University.

You should've posted this in General Discussion for less biased answers.

If you're very clever, and very well rounded, and don't know what you want to do at Uni/ don't want to do a highly specific course, then go for IB.
If not, or you want to go for Oxbridge, or you know what course you want to do, then go for A levels.

In general, the IB lot like to think they're a very 'elite' group, so, as I said, 'IB Discussion' was not the best place to put this.

but lol ur jus copy n pastin textBUKs!!!1111111

IB iz 4 the 1ntellectual nd 3lite!!111one

While this is partially true, each individual higher level at IB provides sufficient grounding for study at uni. Don't believe the misconception that you'd be at a significant disadvantage to A level students.

The whole "independent learner" aspect of IB is an undervalued skill that some A level students really miss out on being spoonfed subjects, so I think this argument works both ways

I know you said 'some' but this is unfortunately the case for the majority of students in my school.

But isn't the opinion I voiced still the predominant one among admissions officers
Just saying that it's the impression I've got from a plethora of careers counselors and teachers who've been at IB schools and A level ones.
Of course they'll be exceptions, like your school, it's a huge generalization after all.

That is absolute rubbish in my experience. Of the 5 students starting at Oxbridge from my year at school in October 2008, 4 of them were IB students - and there were only about 30 of us doing the IB in a year group of around 200. The IB in NO WAY disadvantages you for entry to Oxbridge. My personal view, though you're welcome to slate it all you want, is that it gave me a slight edge. Sure, IB offers from Oxbridge sometimes seem pretty harsh, and a lot harder than AAA. However, many of Oxford's offers (based on what I've seen on here) seem to be slipping down to 38/39, rather than 40, and Cambridge's new A*AA offer will help make their IB/A Level offers more comparable.

Also, I hate it when people say the IB is good if you're not sure what you want to do at uni. Virtually every university will ask for specific HL subjects for specific courses, and you only do 3 (or possibly 4) of them - the same number of subjects as you would take at A Level. You have to have an idea of what you might want to do at uni, the same as for A Levels. The advantage of the IB's 6 subjects is simply the extra breadth they give your education - it adds variety and challenge. For example, I would never have taken English at A Level, but I had to have it at SL on the IB. I was never great at it, but it was a lovely change from studying science and maths the whole time.

Is it the case that the IB is more about breadth rather than depth?

its not that hard really...... i think some of the people here are exaggerating a bit.... i take HL maths, physics and business, its really not that much work.

i feel so relieved that i ran away from Singapore A levels (is UK A lvl the same?), if it is, then IB is definitely way way way easier, its a bit like a joke compared to A levels.. esp. the mathematical side of it.

my friends in singapore are struggling like hell now, and i dont have to work very hard to achieve a decent score, even though my exams are around the corner. i think a C/D in A level maths is a high 7 in IB HL maths...

so yeah, why not take it? its really unfair how my A level friends in singapore are struggling so hard and cant get into decent unis while i can just work slack-ish-ly and get into quite good unis...

If you seriously believe that, you should be strung up.

(Unless you're talking about Singapore A-levels. UK A-levels have been irreperably dumbed-down; they're a lot easier.)

(Unless you're talking about Singapore A-levels. UK A-levels have been irreperably dumbed-down; they're a lot easier.)