A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Discussion and advice on Sixth Form matters

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

11 Plus Platform - Online Practice Makes Perfect - Try Now
salsa
Posts: 2686
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:59 am

A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Post by salsa »

Hi all,

At my son’s school they only teach the IB. My son may have to do higher Maths due to the university courses he may pursue.

His school requires a level 8 at GCSE in order for the student to be allowed to do higher Maths. The reason, I gather, is because it’s a lot harder than A level Maths and quite close to further Maths. Is this accurate? Any teachers out there who have taught both and could actually confirm this belief?

Many thanks!

Salsa
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Post by Guest55 »

If he's going to do a science degree then I would not suggest the IB route. I would say HL not as hard as Further Maths but 'difficulty' can be subjective. I doubt many people will have taught both but I have looked at the HL Maths spec.
salsa
Posts: 2686
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:59 am

Re: A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Post by salsa »

Guest55 wrote:If he's going to do a science degree then I would not suggest the IB route. I would say HL not as hard as Further Maths but 'difficulty' can be subjective. I doubt many people will have taught both but I have looked at the HL Maths spec.
Thanks Guest55,

He’s looking at robotics, engineering, product design, etc. He’s still to see what’s out there, but he’s always been very interested in technical subjects and although he’s doing very well at Computer Science, he still would see himself as building something tangible.

Would it be fair to say that the IB Maths is harder than A level? If so, how much harder?

Thanks,

Salsa
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Post by Guest55 »

I'd avoid IB - it will be difficult to get the best combination of subjects for Engineering.

'How much harder' is difficult to quantify - Maths, Further Maths, Physics + 1 would be a better preparation.
bondgirl
Posts: 802
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:30 am

Re: A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Post by bondgirl »

DS is doing HL maths and was a little apprehensive about it but it’s his favourite subject. He wants to apply for engineering at university so is also doing Physics at HL.
salsa
Posts: 2686
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:59 am

Re: A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Post by salsa »

Thanks Bondgirl,
The 6th formers keep telling him how much harder it is than A level. I’m not sure whether this is a myth or not. So, as the school requires a 7 for all the other subjects, except for Maths, I’m beginning to think that they may be right.

@ Guest55,
Students at DGS go onto doing all sorts of degrees and I’ve been looking at some of the requirements and he may end up doing: Physics, DT and Computer Science which are his favourites. He would still need to do Maths at standard level anyway. However, he may end up having to do Maths at higher and drop one of the other subjects he loves to standard level. The good thing is that with the IB he could still do the other loved subjects at standard level if necessary.

Right now, we’re also looking at A levels as some schools do electronics, which include robotics. His school teaches DT, but doesn’t include it.

I’ve always liked the IB and wouldn’t want him to leave his school, but we’re keeping an open mind.
Would the IB Physics, DT and Computer Science be a good combination for robotics? Considering that he would still need to do a project, which would probably involve something technical, as well as English, Maths and a language at standard level.

Thanks,

Salsa
bondgirl
Posts: 802
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:30 am

Re: A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Post by bondgirl »

Salsa - DS was under this impression too from previous sixth formers but he says he’s finding HL maths ok so far. I’m not sure how they can compare HL to A level maths when they haven’t studied it, unless the teachers are telling them this? There will be interviews for sixth form after Christmas (I think!) where you can ask specific questions about subject choices and whether they are the right options for future university courses. There is also a UCAS coordinator who should be able to provide you with some guidance on IB options as well.
salsa
Posts: 2686
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:59 am

Re: A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Post by salsa »

bondgirl wrote:Salsa - DS was under this impression too from previous sixth formers but he says he’s finding HL maths ok so far. I’m not sure how they can compare HL to A level maths when they haven’t studied it, unless the teachers are telling them this? There will be interviews for sixth form after Christmas (I think!) where you can ask specific questions about subject choices and whether they are the right options for future university courses. There is also a UCAS coordinator who should be able to provide you with some guidance on IB options as well.
Thanks Bondgirl, I agree. I’m not sure where they get that information from. I’ll talk to the UCAS coordinator.

Salsa
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Post by Guest55 »

What options are the school offering for IB? Check uni offers too - they are usually much higher for IB ...
salsa
Posts: 2686
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:59 am

Re: A level Maths or IB higher, which one is harder?

Post by salsa »

Do you mean what he could study at DGS? He could do higher Maths, Physics, DT or Computer Science. He’ll have to choose 3 of those at higher level and do the other at standard level. He would need 2 more at standard level, but one has to be English and the other a foreign language.

So far the university offers have been comparable. Assuming IB Maths is the same level of complexity as A level.


Salsa
Post Reply
11 Plus Mocks - Practise the real exam experience - Book Now