What's a better choice IB or A/levels?

Is IB a good choice for me?

• I am a student in Hong Kong. In my school, we get to choose from the IB DP or the usual Hong Kong program (NSS). I am quite good at academics but i kinda procrastinate every now and then. I have heard that the IB program is very intense and requires a lot of motivation. I want to go to a good university in England, so which one is more beneficial to me? I have been told them the scores one gets in the HK system can be converted into scores in the A-levels system. I am willing to focus on the IB diploma program if i choose it. I have until 8th July to make my decision. So a swift answer would be well appreciated. :) Thanks in advance :)

• Answer:

  First I would do the research on how the IB program is viewed at the university you want to attend. I suspect, if you want to go to England the IB program has a good reputation. The IB program was started in England I believe. I taught under the IB program in the U.S. and found a lot of British prejudices in the program. If you want to attend a school in England this may be to your benefit. Second, I am not sure what "intense" means. There is a LOT of work in the IB program, but they're not always difficult. You have to take some High Level courses and these are no cake walk. In some American colleges a student can receive some college credit for some of the High Level courses. The Standard level courses are just that standard. They are very reasonable in their requirements, but they still do require work. If by "intense" you mean a lot of work, then you are correct. There are "internal assessments" which are graded by your instructor and then your instructor is graded by some foreign master IB instructor. The "internal assessments" tend to require a lot of independent work. In math you solve a few problems and list some of reflections. In art, I believe, you must present a fairly thorough portfolio. Visit their website, I seem to recall that it is pretty good. www.ibo.org I think, that's it. Sorry, I don't feel like double-checking it myself, heh. Good luck! It's not a bad program if it's not mixed in with other programs.