To IB or not to IB, that is the question!

Well I'm one parent who thinks IB is not for everyone. It definitely wasn't for my elder son. He is now about to take his A levels in double maths and physics. He hates English and Mandarin and was very happy to leave them behind after his GCSEs. He loves studying mathematics and already has one A at A level and is likely to get a second in the further maths. There is no way that the IB can compete for him.

At A level he is studying maths for two thirds of his time and if he were studying IB it would only be one sixth. I realize he is a special case as not many people wish to study pure mathematics at a British university but this is what he wants.

I believe that he might be able to get into university to study maths with the IB but the questions I have are:
* Could he get as good results in IB as in A levels - unlikely as he'd have to study subjects he hates?
* Would he cope in his first year at university when almost everyone else has studied further maths at A level?

No one who is pro IB has answered these two questions to my satisfaction yet.

Having said that my second son is wanting to take IB. He is much less sure of what he wants to study. But I'd like him to have the option of A levels if we (joint decision) thought it would be best - this seems not to be the case in Hong Kong anymore. My elder son had to go to boarding school in England to get want he wanted as it wasn't an option for him here.
 
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IB results are treated much 'higher' than A level results at most Western/European universities. Oxford and Cam bridge are quite blunt about it.

A levels are a joke. The HK A levels are much more difficult. As for IB Maths - it's not my subject area, but your best bet would be to ask a teacher who has taught bot systems. I know that for my subject areas, the IB offers the same academic depth as the A levels, but is much more streamlined. The emphasis on how and why we learn is a great learning tool in tiself.

As for a child 'hating' a subject - each to his own. But the failure ti study one's own native language to matriculation is probably one factor in the overwhelming illiteracy amongt university students. Even maths students have to complete project and research based work - hard to do if your writing skills are rudimentary.
 
thanks all for your valuable sharing.

can anyone share with me whether or not an 'IB' graduate student gets into top universites easier for some reasons?

i'm considering Victoria Shanghai Academy yet their history is short and it's kind of difficult to judge whether or not their faculty and curriculum is mature yet. Any sharing on Victoria?

desparate maiye
 
Have a look at the previous 'cut off ' scores for university entrance in the UK and Australia - IB scores rank above the A levels/CVE/HSC in terms of pure % achievement.
 
Just going out of the way here, but really want to know:

At what age do babies go to pre- school here?
How long before the baby starts going to pre- school does one need to get admission done here in HK?
Whats the process for admission?
And lastly how do grades progress here in the schools?
 
geomum, the answers to all your questions depends on the curriculum/system you choose. 'Local' schools have K1 K2 and K3 starting around 3. Then P1-6, the F1-7. (I think!). This is usually also the case with the DSS (Direct Subsidy Schools) schools.

ESF - children usually have K1 and K2, starting the calender year they turn 3. Then P1-6 and Y7-13.

Australian Internation runs P1-6, and Y7-12, but I am unsure of their exact age/year dates.

HKIS/Canadian - start a bit later, I think (??)

Other International schools (such as Kellett and GSIS) have different starting ages, and different numbers of school years. You are nest to check with the schools you are interested in.

The first questions hsould probably be which system you want your child to matriculate in - local HKCE, A levels, IB, US style liberal arts, French diploma etc etc and work backwards from there as to which schools are appropriate.....and start saving!!
 
Actually, Chinese International have been offering the IB for years and years, as have United World College in Ma on Shan, the Australian International School in Kowloon Tong, and several other international and 'local' schools.

It is, however, new to the ESF. Given this school network's high profile, it is inevitable the their discussion of the 'new' IB diploma has led some to think that it is new to HK.
 
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