IB Maths compared to new A level

[bionicnemonic]

Hi, DS thinking of doing IB.
Teachers say the Higher Level is very difficult, and that he may be better doing Standard, but many unis want higher level.
It sounds as though the new IGCSE he recently sat included quite a lot of the previous A level syllabus and that the new A level is more complicated than it was.
Are there any maths teachers here who know if the new A level is now as difficult or more difficult than the Higher level IB?
He was predicted an 8 in IGCSE (it was IGCSE but it was graded 9-1)
Thank you

DC1 is doing IB. Higher is more like Further Maths. Standard is like A level but with a narrower curriculum. Maths Studies standard is for those who really don't want to be doing maths.

DC1 got an 8 in GCSE maths and a C in Ad Maths. So, not struggling but not ultra high flier either. They're finding Standard IB maths to be challenging but are v pleased that they did Ad Maths first.

FWIW... when students at their 6th register for Higher maths, they must state what their fall-back alternative Higher subject will be. It is assumed that a fair proportion of Higher maths students will drop to standard and that a fair proportion of standard students will drop to M Studies.

Look carefully at entry requirements of likely uni courses. Higher maths is definitely for serious mathematicians.

Syllabus details here... www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/mathematics/mathematics/

In looking this up for you, I've only just discovered that there is Higher Further Maths too!! Ouch!!!!

ha ha arrrgh to Higher Further Maths!
Thank you both, interesting about your DC and the additional maths, it sounds as though there is quite a jump up then even to the standard level. DS really isn''t sure what route to go in the future, but I know some engineering require Higher so it seemed the most versatile option - but only if its not a struggle of course.
Thank you again

I've no idea about the new A level maths course but DS's school offer both IB and A level but only let a few sit HL maths. Its a selective school and everyone would have A* maths at GCSE.This is why DS opted for A levels as there were very few Unis in his chosen course that would accept SL maths. T

Opinion amongst his friends is that SL is easier than A level maths but the easiest IB route is Maths Studies at SL because its about equivalent to the Add Maths GCSE, and you can sit it a year early and only have 5 subjects to sit in U6th. But, that is no help if your DS needs maths for uni.

DS would have preferred to sit IB because it seemed more flexible and it was only the maths that stopped him. However, he quickly realised that it isn't as flexible as you think because not chosing a subject for HL does close doors. And because there are only 3 HL subjects A levels worked out more flexible for him because he could pursue 4 options iyswim.