Choosing between IB and A Level

It is not easy to make such a big decision at any time in your life, especially at the age of 15 or 16 with GCSEs and so much going onlife.Deciding isa process, not a moment. You must equip yourself with correct facts first. Here are a few frequently spoken myths.

1) I'm not brilliant at Maths so I can't do the IB
Wrong. There are three levels of Maths. Maths HL is magnificent and very challenging. Maths SL is interesting and quite a challenge. Maths Studies is useful and accessible to all. If you succeeded in GCSE, you will succeed in Maths Studies. It is not easy - you study the Chi-Squared test, for example, an understanding of which is important in many fields. Don't give up on Maths - it is a life skill that future careers will depend on.

2) I'm no good at languages; I'd better do A Level
Not good thinking. Languages are a life skill; two more years in the Sixth Form can transform you into a fluent speaker. Imagine the worlds that this opens up to you. Be ambitious! You may feel that you have taken French far enough. Why not try Mandarin Ab Initio? All students start this course with no Mandarin at all. Again, it is a forward-looking choice; the western world will pay huge sums to people that can speak it. (And PLEASE don't wheel out the "English is the World Language" excuse. Go abroad, see if they are speaking English. They are not very impressed when they have to change language simply because you can't)

3) I'm really only interested in Science, so now is the time to narrow my focus.
Wrong. Scientists and Engineers are exactly the sort of people who will lead global lives - so don't throw away the languages. Modern Science is not only about experimentation and theory- it is about communication. Don't give away your skills in English - you WILL need them. And, anyway, most people who study science/engineering at University do not end up as scientists nor as Engineers. Who knows what skills you will need?

4) I like Maths, Biology, History and Art. I'll do those subjects at A Level.
And then what? A mixed bag of A Levels creates breadth but creates incoherence at the same time. What University course would be impressed with those choices? Not many. Keep the breadth coherently by doing the IB. You could do those choices plus English and Spanish Ab Initio and then you would have the power of the IB behind you and get great respect from the Universities.

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