IB vs. A-levels

oh really? they are different? i thought the difficulty level is the same, but just different papers... isnt the A levels from UK? i think its called Cambridge Advanced Level right? i have seen my friends papers in singapore.... and i cant do half of the stuff, and they looked at mine, and laughed.....

Christ, I hope you fail your superior IB.

This topic should either be moved to General or deleted because the OP isn't going to get any unbiased, mature and sensible feedback, and the pompous morons in this thread shouldn't have the privilege of swaying other people's opinions.

What have I said that is biased?

This topic should either be moved to General or deleted because the OP isn't going to get any unbiased, mature and sensible feedback, and the pompous morons in this thread shouldn't have the privilege of swaying other people's opinions.

"UK A-level Maths isn't anywhere near as tough as IB Maths HL."

& everything else you've posted in this thread. How on Earth would you know? There is a reason why universities prefer A levels you know.

Firstly, the extended essay and coursework are two completely different things with the IB. The extended essay is more than just "coursework" it develops your researching skills as well as teaching you to work independently which will certainly prepare you well for university. Correct me if I'm wrong but i doubt many a-level students have to write a 4000 word report? On top of that IB students have 6 other subjects with coursework in all of them compared to a-levels where it's very rare for someone to take that many subjects. Also, as I do both english and history, we also get set essays regularly, and the amount of coursework for english is 50% of the grade..and that doesn't just involve essays and reports..we also have to carry out presentations as well oral commentaries. I'm not saying we're the "elitists" - as you put it - just because we do all this, but the skills you pick up as an IB student through the 2 years are invaluable for university.

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

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

Do you really think getting a 7 at Maths HL is equatable to getting a A in A-level Maths? Really? I've done a couple of A-level Maths modules, and I found them a doss compared to what I'm doing now

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.

I like those too

So I think an unbiased opinion is impossible unless there is any one out there who has done both A-levels and IB. Although I agree that IB does offer some advantages - more subjects = wider range of knowledge and understanding - it does not neccesarily mean it is "superior". Equally A-levels also have advantges- subjects studied more in depth. I do A levels and can safely say that it is not an 'out of a text book' qualification. Also I have done so much research into certain topics over the past two years that I've thought my head would explode! So it's not an 'easier' or 'lazier' option, those who have chosen the lazy route have either failed most of their AS exams or dropped out all together. I'm sure the same goes for IB - you reap what you soe. I know an IB student and we've had this discussion many times and both agree with the statement: "IB is more about breadth whereas A-levels are more about depth". Because of this I would suggest that perhaps if you are unsure what you want to do at University I would do IB, but if you know what you want to do A-levels may be for you. Though perhaps that by putting this in the IB discussion area you've already made up your mind? I hope you're happy with whatever decision you finally make. Good Luck!

Back on track: On a less academic note, fitting 150 hours of CAS around schoolwork helps time management skills and makes you a more rounded person allegedly. Sure, many A level students do extra curricular stuff too, but it's not a requirement. OP, if you're all about the schoolwork, then A levels are the better option.

This is true, but only to the extent that it gets you started, which is harder if you do A levels. However, with CAS you almost feel guilty when you continously ask for people to sign forms, and CAS students are often less motivated to do a task, they just do it to complete CAS, not to actually help people.

The first few times, as you said, are rather mundane, if you will, but as you start to get into CAS you begin to appreciate the work you're doing and its impact on the world around you. CAS trips are also organised for the 'less motivated'.