I.B. vs A.Levels

<p>I've been informed that most international students applying to American Universities have taken the International Baccalaureate. Compared with the A Levels, could you please offer input on which one is more demanding and any other helpful information. Is it also true that you can take more IB subjects than at A level, how do colleges view this?</p>

<p>I did my A-levels. Actually it's not only in I.B but also in A-levels that you can take several subjects. I myself took 6 different subjects. They were Full credit A-levels for Physics, Maths and Chemistry. Half Credit AS-level for Economics, Psychology and General Paper.
I had a friend at high school who gave 13 different Full Credit A-level subjects.
I don't have much knowledge about the IB courses, but in case of the of the A-levels, we were never restrained with regard to the number of subjects one could take.
Hope this has helped you!</p>

<p>In Between, the friend whom I mentioned is a Freshman at Princeton University right now. He had been accepted into Cornell and Duke as well.</p>

<p>wow, 13 A Levels !!!!!!!
where I come from the AS Levels are not offered, and the average no. of A Levels one takes is three.
Anyway, thanks for the information blip.</p>

<p>Most of the colleges list how much credit they will give for A-level and IB courses if a certain grade is obtained. In general, it seems as if the A-level courses receive more credit because students take fewer of them and they are more in-depth than the IB equivalents. Most colleges have admissions officers who are familiar with the A-levels, but what I am starting to realize is that there appear to be many different types of A-levels. Students at our daughter's school are only allowed to take 3 A-levels unless they receive special permission to take 4. I am amazed that anyone could take 13 A-levels.</p>

<p>Hmm its true that a levels go more in depth but IB is more demanding as a course because sheer number of subjects and things required to do. You dont have that many choices in IB in terms of subjects ( depends which school you go to ) ut its recognized for tis intellectual rigor.</p>

<p>Well the person who gave the 13 A-levels...in which I think 1 was an AS-level...received an A grade in all his subjects. Well he was one in a million guy, think Princeton is made for such people.</p>

<p>So if you guys had a choice, IB or A Level, which one would you take?</p>

<p>If you know what you want to study in college, I think many people prefer the A-levels because they can concentrate on subjects they prefer. This was the case for my daughter who is sure that she wants to major in biology. She was, however, disappointed when she had to drop geography because of the school policy limiting the number of A-levels subjects that students are allowed to take. The IB program would be much better for someone who isn't sure what they want to study, and who has many different interests. I think that both the A-levels and the IB program provide excellent preparation for college.</p>

<p>Thanks expat.
Anyone else??</p>

<p>this is just my opinon but full IB will be looked better upon in admissions. this is because the IB is a <code>diploma</code>, whereas, A-levels are just courses. I read somewhere that you can basically enter as a sophmore at harvard if you did full IB(provided the final score is good) well, this is my opinon and a-levels and IB are both excellent prep for college, as expat said. IB is not for everyone, and so is A-levels. maybe you will be better off doing what will be best for you.</p>

<p>Not that I'm arguing the case for A-levels because I was previously a strong advocate of the IB program, but upon completion of the A-levels a student also receives certificates from Cambridge/Edexcel which are essentially the same as a diploma. Having said that, the A-levels are perfect for my daughter, but I'm very happy that our son is following a different system because he is still exploring academic options. As japstudent said, do what is best for you because then you will excel. Don't worry about what you think will please the admissions officers.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I read somewhere that you can basically enter as a sophmore at harvard if you did full IB

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You don't so much enter as a sophomore as have enough college level credits to satisfy one year's worth of core courses (which is of course essentially the same thing). This applies to most colleges with advanced standing (which is most colleges), but if you're doing the IB, it depends a lot on your subject choices as you need to have the credit in the right subjects. Most Ivy colleges only give credit for Higher Level subjects with a score of 6 or 7 (some give partial credit for lower scores, but frankly if you are scoring 4 on an HL subject you are not likely to get into Harvard). Usually, if you want to use advanced standing for a full year, it means you cut back on your electives and use a combination of IB scores and SAT2 scores.</p>

<p>I think anyone who says they have 13 A-levels is a liar! I don't actually know how this would be possible because all the exams would clash so how would they take them. There are one or two genii with 6 A-levels at Oxford (where nearly everyone has A-levels.) but the vast majority have 3-4.</p>

<p>There is more than one version of A-levels. The Singaporean kind look a lot harder than the most common UK type to me!</p>

<p>
[quote]
read somewhere that you can basically enter as a sophmore at harvard if you did full IB

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well it was possible if you did well on all your Hl tests but now its not possible because of several new rules. max you can earn is 1/2 semester of credit.</p>

<p>Cupcake, it's better to call this individual a hidden gem rather than a liar. It's just because of Cambridge University's inability to maintain a record system around the globe, deserving individuals such as this guy remain hidden.</p>

<p>As for your judgement about the examination dates clashing together. Let me provide you with some insight.</p>

<p>It seems that you are urself an A-levels student, so you must very well know that there are two sittings for GCE Finals>>>Oct/Nov & May/June>>Every Year. Now this guy used 3 different sittings to acquire the above mentioned number of A-levels. The dates were, May/June 2003, Oct/Nov 2003 and May/June 2004. I hope that this fact has helped you to realize how somebody can aquire 13 different A-levels.</p>

<p>And if you call a person with 6 A-levels a genii, then I need to thank you as I'm also one. My A-level subjects were Physics, Chemistry, Pure Maths, Economics, Psychology and General Paper. :)</p>

<p>A donkey could do A-level general studies. It's the easiest exam in the world. I have it too. it doesn't count and no real university will accept it. Oxford and cambridge certainly don't.</p>

<p>I'm sorry but I still do not believe anyone has 13 A-levels in one year. Yes, one could do them over many years but that would make it far easier to achieve due to less time stress. This sounds like one of those "Oxbridge myths". No-one ever says "Ihave 13 A-levels". It's always some mysterious friend. Probably one who bought them over the internet.</p>

<p>Aww...my point isn't that the person has 13 A-levels in a year.My post clearly mentions that the person took it over a stretch of two years. Now look who is braying! </p>

<p>bump</p>

<p>The discussion is about the number of A-levels, but not the rigor of the subjects! So mind ur line of arguement.</p>

<p>If I had 13 A-levels then I wud have posted this little piece of glory all over the CC. My reference to this ultra genius frend of mine, had been with an intention of making it clear to OP that one can take many A-level subjects as well.</p>

<p>But I'm STILL saying, I have 6 Six A-levels..ignoring ur prejudices about general studies... And now stop whining...oops....braying.. ...like u know who :p</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=483635#post483635%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=483635#post483635&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Yet two days ago (when the stats above were posted) you only had 3 A-levels and 3 AS (which are only half an A-level each.).</p>

<p>Funny how quickly these magic A-levels appear isn't it?</p>

<p>In reference to the original topic, I think IB would be a better preparation for a US college because it enables the study of a wider range of subjects. IB seems quite common among students on this board.</p>

<p>If you are fluent in foreign languages you should take their A-levels, it would be an easy A that would help your CV :)</p>