IB versus A Levels advice please!

[KenR]

I think for Maths and Science specialist, particularly those that wish to study Maths or Physics at University and would normally intend to take Further Maths at 6th Form then A levels are probably the best option.

IB can be a good option for the balanced student who wishes to study a wider range of subjects in the 6th form, or keep options open, but it doesn't cover Maths to the same depth as someone studying Further Maths at A Level.

Many of the top Russell league Universities such as Durham, actually recommend that Further Meths is studied for those who intend to study Maths, Physics or Natural Sciences with Maths Major at Univ.

[Warks mum]

He is also considering trying for a university in the US

If he doesn't like a broad range of subjects then the US may not be for him. Even at the most scientific colleges in the US (like MIT) students are obliged to do a very wide range of subjects for the first couple of years, including English-like stuff!

[Rob Clark]

Just to add, DS was looking seriously into studying in the US (albeit mainly for sporting reasons ), but has decided against it partly because of having to do such a wide range of subjects initially before being able to narrow it down.

We're also currently looking at sixth form options for DD (Y11) and the HT at an independent school we visited last week strongly advised against IB for mathematicians, saying that the depth of maths covered in the IB wouldn't equip a child to study maths/engineering/medicine at university in the UK. Neither of my two are mathematicians so I can't personally vouch for the accuracy of this, but it seems to tally with what KenR and others are saying.

[silverysea]

I attended school then uni in the US. I doubt it has changed much - the big difference is the later start, much less early narrowing, keeping options open as long as possible- most uni degrees are four years with at least one of those years spent doing other courses than your major.

With a British mother expressing astonishment at how slow the education process was in the US it was incredibly frustrating for me- I knew what I wanted to do and was worried about the cost. I knew it wasn't done like this in England.

On the other hand, I feel the flexibility to change your major after starting the course, and the wide range of options to try, albeit in obligatory subject areas, was indeed a better education for me- I would never have done any Russian, Literature, Psychology etc as I wanted to do Biology. I think most young people would benefit.

The British system is cheap and efficient at turning out workers ASAP, and sometimes rewards the top few percent. If you are born in August, or not hyperfocused, you go on the trash heap. My DD1 is this and will be looking at her US options. My hyperfocused mature 10 year old dd2 will be aiming for Russell Group.

Both systems are riddled with inequality.

[Jiff]

Many thanks Tracy. That's a really helpful explanation.

[Tracy]

That's ok Jiff, happy to help.
I must say that we were a bit dubious at first but our school has a brilliant reputation for doing well at the IB.
It has taken a while to get our heads around how it all works but it is, for our dd, a better choice than A levels.
This won't be the case for all students though.
Can't comment on whether A level maths/ further maths is the same level as we avoided those subjects!
Any questions, feel free to ask, will pass on what we have found out.

[nickiveg]

Tracey you have put my mind at rest my DD has just started the IB at her six form college there are 12 doing it and all seems ok at the mo but it's intensive ! My DD is not sure what she wants to do as yet in uni and is doing biol, chem and eng lit at higher and maths, Spanish and economics at standard. She seems to like the diverse nature of the course but I'm concerned how unis accept it. One boy who did its last year has got in to Cambridge and the course seems to be well run but it's still only relatively new 4 yrs running I think. I can only hope she has made the right decision but it was hers and she has to do the work.

[marigold]

My daughter has just started the IB as well and is having a ball. We had no say in her choice, she was determined to do it from year 9 and whilst I know Oxbridge is not the be all and end all , the school have got several there doing the IB, so they must be doing something right.
My daughter relishes the small classes, three doing higher level Latin, five higher level history as she says there is no where to hide when questions are asked so she has to be continually on the ball.

My only gripe has been the ENORMOUS cost of a graphical calculator required for maths and a science trip to Disneyland Paris to look at the mechanics of roller coasters...Chessington World of Adventure is just round the M25 and as far as I know they have the odd roller coaster there too.

[Tracy]

Hi Nickiveg and Marigold,
I found it hard to talk to other 6th form parents unless they were from the IB lot.
There is no understanding from the A levellers and parents of what is actually involved in the IB.
What we have established it that the student must be a genuine all rounder and organised. They must enjoy doing all of the subjects including the complusory maths and english.

That said, we have just done the uni visits, and whilst the general chat is A levels, the unis do recognise the IB well. It's not an alien language that some people would make you believe.

The points system is fair in most cases and from the conversations that my dd and I have had with uni staff is that it shows more of the student than the A levels do. We can relate to that as at our 6th form, 4 A levels are the norm on top of other activites to show that the student is more rounded.

I think that as long as your school has a good track record with the IB you are fine. I would be nervous if our 6th hadn't got a brilliant record. New schools to the IB should have a partner school that they can liaise with.

The view from our 6th form students is that the IB is more of a challenge as there is nowhere is hide. With A levels you can drop what you are not good at. Says it all I think.

[nickiveg]

Hi I've noticed other parents don't get IB as well and I have been challenged why I'm letting my child do it ? But tbh it wasn't my choice but hers ! She is the one doing the work and not me and if not enjoying she wouldn't do as well she tried the A level day and didn't enjoy it at all . She likes the small classes and as marigold says she can't hide! This is good for her as she was basically a " grey child" at school And was a good kid but didn't shine or get noticed so now she can hopefully become herself on this course. Thanks Tracey feel so much better now x