IB (International Baccelaureate)

[Angelicus]

Has anyone heared of the International Baccealureate or are doing it? It seems like a much better course option then A levels although it isn't availible at many schools. However more and more schools seem to be taking this own as a different option to doing A levels. What do you think?

Link to website: http://www.ibo.org/

[make.me.smile]

I think it's a great idea but it doesn't always work. My sister was going to do IB, but decided not to as it would've stopped her doing the courses she wanted to. I think the problem is that you can't mix & match your courses as well as you can with A-levels. But it is pretty great especially as it is internationaly recongized meaning more job opportunites later. Though I chose not to do it as the only state college in the whoel of England that does IB is really close to me, but really crap, too.

[Hamsterwaffle]

The site was confusing, what exactly is it?

[make.me.smile]

It's pretty much a differenct version of A-levels. It's internationaly recognized as you can do it in English, French and Spanish (I think). The difference is that you choose from a subject group, meaning that you cannot "mix and match" (which I see as a setback). For example the groups are (I think): the arts, mathematics and computer crap, social science, some other science and something with languages. Sorry don't know more than that. I think it's a good idea but doesn't work for many people unless you know exactly what you want to do later on. Also seeing as there's only one college doing this where you don't have to pay and this college happens to suck...

[make.me.smile]

Woopsie, got that wrong. It's rather that you have to do subjects from all of those groups, just some more intensly than others. Too much work if you ask me...

[Iona Stevenson]

I quite like it as a system as it forces you to keep your options open and study over a wide range of diciplines..that obviously wouldn't be so good for those wanting to specialise but I'm not one of them haha

I also like the fact that it has community work as a part of it, seems a nice way to encourage young people to be more active locally.

[make.me.smile]

I've been doing 13 subjects from the age of 5, up till now and next year will my first year actually doing what I want. I think this system would b great for some people, but I think the majority of people want to do specific subjects at this age, don't want to pay that much for school (Uni still to come) and just can't be bothered doing stuff they know they can't.

[Lodi]

They offer the IB at my college and i've got to say i'm really sceptical about it. Its still in its first year so once some results from it have come through i'de be able to comment more.

But at the moment is seems to be a valid alternative to A Levels, which offers a more focused and controlled type of study similar to GCSE's than you get with your standard A Level Course.

[EmmaGallen]

My school used to offer it but the problem was too many people moving schools for 6th year in order to do ordinary A Levels.

I wanted to do it instead and there were other people who thought it'd e better. The main problem is the difficulty. A levels are supposedly really easy but the IB is recognised for how difficult it is.

When the results come out, it'll be really weird to understand (we had a French lesson explaining them to us). What we might think looks like a low mark is usually actually quite high because the IB is just more difficult and marked harsher.

[Prepster35]

Uh huh...My mum tried to make me do it.
It seems like a wider choice than GCSEs or A levels. I don't think it wou me suit me though.

:D

[Cowgirl36]

The sixth from I'm considering is introducing the aqa version which seems a lot less complicated.

[Angelicus]

What is the aqa version?

[u.ali]

The IB is very good if you would like to go into a career abroad. However the UK does off many other optional courses such as the Advanced extension award, which only the top 10% of alevel pupils pass. For the advanced extension award, instead of having A's or B's ...etc, you have either a 'merit' or 'distinction'. You could also take some extra A levels, GCSEs, or 'international GCSEs' via the national extension college, but they are self study courses.