What's better IB or A levels?

Which should I pick, A levels or IB?

• I'm going to do my IGCSE's this year (CIE, not Edexel). Now I've got two options - I can go to an A level school or I can go to an International Baccalaureate (IB) school. For a while I was thinking of sticking to A levels, since I've been doing a British-based curriculum all this time, and it would make sense to continue that way, but then I noticed quite a few schools here directly go from IGCSE to IB without any issues whatsoever. The only thing I'm worried about is IB being very different..but then at the same time, A levels are probably not at all the same as IGCSE's. The reason I'm posting this is to maybe gain some more insight on which choice might be better. Does one have more value than the other? Is one easier than the other? My school never ever explains any of this stuff to me, and I don't know where to begin researching on my own. I doubt there'd be a website with a comparison anyway. My stupid school doesn't have a guidance counselor or anything either, so I'm out of options. Right now, my school offers A levels, but I need to change before I lose my mind (The people in my school are the worst, most two-faced people I've ever met..every single one). So yeah, now I can either go to an A level school or an IB school. Both schools have the same fees. What should I do? Thanks! xx

• Answer:

  You sound exactly like I did 3 years ago! I'm on a gap year right now, I finished the IB last year :) There are several questions you posed there, I will just try and give you a broad overview of the similarities and differences between A levels and IB. You first displayed concerns about the transition between gcse's and the IB, there really is no issue there, in fact the IB is more similar to GCSE's than A Levels I thought. Don't worry about that! I don't think one has more value than the other as such. The IB is far more demanding than A levels (in general), and many universities recognise that. A levels you take modules and you just plough along at a comfortable pace, whereas IB you have a considerable amount of coursework, you have to do CAS, TOK and extended essay, and then you have the big bang at the end. In my case I had 18 exams in a 14 day period, and it was hell. But I'm glad I did it, i ended up getting 36, which is to most of the uni's I looked at is equivalent to AAA at a level, but i never would have got AAA at a level so it definitely worked in my favour! You also really have to consider the IB school you're going to. How long have they done the IB? Do the teachers know what they are doing? I personally went to a college where they had no idea what they were doing, and screwed us all over. I hence recommend the IB if you can go somewhere which does is properly. I really feel for you, this is a very hard decision. I really would be happy to talk and advise more about it with you, my email is [email protected] - drop me an email if you have any more questions, i really am happy to help. I wish there was someone there I could have asked countless questions to when I was your age! :) Good luck!