IP, IB vs A Levels

[kelly1]

Original Title: To risk or not to risk...


I'm confused now. Should we take up the IB DSA offer, or should we wait for PSLE results and try for the regular A-level programme? Conservative guess-timate of results would be 250+ so what would be some good options for schools? Would value feedback from anyone who has been in my shoes last year or before... :?

[chengsmummy]

If your kid gets 250+, he/she should be able to go into most of the schools, except RI/RGS, HCI/NYGH…

[turquoise]

So your son has an offer at ACS(I) IB? If he prefers an ‘O’ and ‘A’ level route, can’t he request for this at ACS(I) instead of IB?

[harini]

What is the reason for not going to the IB programme. I would say GO for it, it is quite sought after and ACS(I) is a good school.

[csc]

harini:

What is the reason for not going to the IB programme. I would say GO for it, it is quite sought after and ACS(I) is a good school.

Agree. Even the son of our PM was one of the graduands of the 1st batch (i think) of the IB programme in ACS(I) . :lol:

[kelly1]

Thanks for all your input, parents. I suppose it would be silly to let go of a place in ACSI-IP, but truthfully, I'm just not sure if my boy is cut out for the heavy workload and long hours (I've heard) IB schools expect students to put in. He did okay for PSLE (he thinks, and I hope! ) only after a lot of pushing on my part to put in the required hours of study. I don't know if he is one of those self-motivated kids - the last thing I need is for me to have to go through the same stress all through secondary school!

[csc]

kelly1:

Thanks for all your input, parents. I suppose it would be silly to let go of a place in ACSI-IP, but truthfully, I'm just not sure if my boy is cut out for the heavy workload and long hours (I've heard) IB schools expect students to put in. He did okay for PSLE (he thinks, and I hope! ) only after a lot of pushing on my part to put in the required hours of study. I don't know if he is one of those self-motivated kids - the last thing I need is for me to have to go through the same stress all through secondary school!

Kelly,

You are right. Though IB is a highly-recommended program, we need to understand our children and their learning style to make the right decision for them. As far as I know, students who have interests in humanities and enjoy writing (lots of writing assignments - reports and expository writings) will have an advantage.
Students who are vocal will stand to gain too. (lots of oral presentations which are graded)

Having said that, there is always a hope that the above opportunity may provide an opportunity for a child who is not as vocal or as good in writing to develop that part of him to be a better and different person.

I am one of those introverted and shy students who have become a different personality after being in a profession that requires me to speak up.

[kelly1]

Thanks CSC - your input makes me see things better. I guess it is easier to let him start off in IB and then move to O-level if I feel he isn’t coping, rather than change my mind later and try for IB again… Meanwhile I can judge if he is indeed cut out for it. Think I’m going to go for it!

[Mathematician]

ACS(I) did very well in the IB examination, with 13 perfect scorers out of 27 perfect scorers world-wide. Also, 85.4% of the cohort taking IB in ACS(I) scored at least 38 points, making them eligible for schools like Oxford and Cambridge. Does this imply that that it will be easier to enter top universities using IB? If so, why aren’t other schools offering IB?

[radiantmum]

insider:

In my opinion, IB is more valuable than A levels. I prefer their subjects more than those offered in the A levels in a sense coz more 'well rounded' (A levels still very academic based which to me is more towards 读死书、死读书、读书死).

& I am one of those churned \"products\" :laugh: At least can laugh at myself, not so bad lah.

My preference is IB too for DS ... then again - it'll be ages down the road.

PM's son was from IB, that says something as well isn't it?