IB or A-level? What are the pros and cons

[curious79]

Simple question really but our DS’s school offers both. Which to go for though? In your kids’ experiences:

• is one perceived as easier / less weighty therefore lesser?
• do universities here / abroad prefer A-levels or IB (particularly US)?
• other differences? Just don’t know!

Much depends on what he wants to study.

For IB, they have to do something from each of six subject groups, whereas for A-levels you just do any combination of three (or sometimes four) subjects. IB is great for an all-rounder or someone who is not sure what direction to take. However if he's set on sciences, for instance, he may prefer to do A-levels where he can focus entirely on science subjects.

My DS started IB in September - he was a good all rounder and liked a lot of subjects so he’s really enjoying the variety. It is hard work and a full timetable compared to his friends doing A-levels but he’s managing it well and still has time for fun stuff too. He needed higher grades to get into IB than A-levels and they did stress it was academically rigorous. He’s a bright child and very conscientious so it’s suiting him well so far

To add he did a taster day at college for both IB and A-levels and we went to a couple of information evenings to find out more information and talk to current students etc. His college have a high proportion of their IB students going onto good universities so we were happy it wouldn’t affect that

My DCs both did science and maths A-Levels and went on to do science degrees. I do think the IB is a more rounded and therefore better education. I have heard that it is harder than A Levels. I don't think UK universities mind which you do.

If your dc is a specialist then a-levels will suit more. Some dc are happy to drop English or maths or languages etc.

If you are an all rounder then IB is potentially better. The 3 higher subjects are slightly less intense/in-depth than their a-level counterparts but then there are the 3 standard level subjects that mean extra work load.

If your dc knows for example that they want to do a physics degree or engineering then A-levels would be better as A-level maths and physics are tougher than IB in those subjects so the leap to Uni is not as big but if your DC doesn't know what they want to study it wants to study more if a social science or humanities subject then IB can give a broader knowledge base.

It really come down to the type of child you have. I'm one of 4 siblings and we did a mix.

I was only suited to A levels - I knew what I wanted to specialise in from a very young age (Classics basically) and couldn't wait to give up all the subjects I was forced to study for years in order to have a 'well rounded education'.

My younger sister was in tears choosing her A levels as she couldn't bear the thought of giving things up and was very much an all rounder with no real specific or intense interest. She would have been an ideal IB candidate.

Youngest sibling did IB and would have been happy either way - effortlessly good at everything and laid back about subject choice.

Didn't seem to make any difference with university applications. We all got offers from everywhere and all got into our first choice. Don't think one is seen as easier than the other - it's still all about the grades.

I actively avoided looking at IB secondaries for DD as she's very like me and has been desperate to specialise since she was in about Y2! Also very SEN and I don't think IB is very suited to that.

I've no personal experience of the IB but several of my nephews and nieces did it and it doesn't seem to have made any difference to getting into University/jobs in the UK - I don’t know about other countries though. Obviously there are more subjects studied for the IB so it's probably the better option for a student who isn't yet sure which direction they want to go in as it leaves more doors open but A levels might be a better fit for someone who has a strong preference for particular subjects.

@changecandles our college actually thinks the opposite about Higher Maths AA (there’s two types of maths just to give you even more choice!) and that’s it’s more complex than A-level so is better suited for engineering degrees. Certainly having seen what my DS is studying (he is HL AA) and having an engineering degree I would absolutely agree with that.

I did IB, bypassed me the first year of uni in Scotland.

If your DC wants to apply for uni in the UK I would absolutely 100% opt for A-levels rather than IB. I have written about this before on MN.
IB is more challenging - six subjects (the HL are like A-levels in their scope and depth!), the EE and TOK, also CAS. In my experience and that of others, UK universities do not understand the complexities of the IB and they focus mostly on the three HL subjects. Both my DCs have applied to uni in the UK and there is a definite discrepancy between the grades required for A-levels and the score required for IB, for the same degree course.

That's also often an option for students who have done A levels though. My DS started at a Scottish University last year and could have joined in the second year if he had wanted to. It's just a function of the fact that a lot of Scottish students begin University having done Highers which done a year earlier than A levels/IB.

IB is broader, more rigorous and better preparation for most uni courses.
The total workload of IB is comparable to doing 4.5 to 5 A levels.
IB maths analysis and approaches is marginally above single A level maths but nowhere near A level further maths. Students aiming to do maths or something very closely related (physics/engineering) at a top uni might find themselves slightly disadvantaged by doing IB. These students would be better doing 4 A levels including double maths. Students who are strong on STEM but struggle with languages may also be better sticking to A level.
Some UK universities don't really understand IB. The most international ones do, e.g. UCL and Kings, whereas those taking less international students may require an unfairly high IB point score. eg. unis asking for same A level grades for a course may ask up to 3 points different for IB.
Do IB if you're an all-rounder and not afraid of hard work.
Don't do IB if you're gravitating towards STEM degrees and the uni course you might be interested in normally requires further maths from A level candidates.

My DD did IB and it is a very vigorous qualification, studying 6 subjects. It requires good organisation skills and planning. There are essays to write for most subjects along with a TOK essay and community service. It is hard work and the essay contribute to the final score.
The students in her year have gone onto Durham, LSE, Kings College , St Andrews, Edinburgh and many other top universities.
If you are not organised, good at self studying and self motivated I would not recommend it.

There's one other "pro" for IB that my friend was telling me about - perhaps someone on this thread can corroborate? It's to do with the timing of the exam results and gaining corresponding university places. Her child didn't get the score needed (long story, COVID fallout) but as IB results come early, he was able to find an alternative Uni spot, sort out accomodation etc much earlier than his A level friends who had to go through clearing. Much less stressful for him.

@KittyQMeow yes exams are slightly earlier than A-levels and results are out in the July so a bit more time to adjust future plans if needed.

I also really like the CAS element of IB - similar to D of E they have to do a skill, activity and some form of community activity. It does take up time but is a good addition to talk about at interviews

I’m not sure that is still true. My dd is doing the IB and her offers at RG unis are very comparable to all A level typical offers.
separately for my dd she is prob likely to score higher overall as a result of doing the IB because of the additional points for the ‘IB’ extras such as EE and TOK. She might not overall have r scored a star a a at a level but likely to get around 38 IB points. So for her the hard hard 18 month slog likely to pay off….

I was trying to quote this in my previous post

Oh I very much agree about the CAS, TOK etc. I did the IB thirty years ago (!) and it allowed me to skip one and a half semesters at a US university, which in turn made a double major possible. The broad base required absolutely stood me in good stead, and I'm interested in doing to same for my children. Watching the thread with interest to see if/how the IB has changed in the interim years.

I still remember discussions in my TOK class after all these decades - amazing for critical thinking.

Thank you for perspectives so far.
Does anyone know if Oxford / Cambridge like them? DD is interested

I would agree with this.

I think if you look at the grades needed for specific courses, my perception is that you needed higher IB grades than A-Level.

Re Oxbridge, Cambridge have some specifications for IB for some courses. So, for chemical engineering you might have to do specific subjects at the Higher Level IB.

These are probably the ones you’d take as A levels (eg Maths, Chemistry) so it depends if you want to cover more subjects.

@KittyQMeow that’s so interesting hearing your experience - I know DS would love to do some study overseas at some point, we’re U.K. now but were overseas for his primary and beginning of secondary years and it’s definitely given him the bug.

TOK is a firm favourite here, we have some great dinner discussions on TOK days!!

Good advice above. Just to add though, that IB can be better for US unis and other countries by far. Very few systems specialise in the way the UK does, so other countries like IB as it equates more easily to their systems.