All About International Baccalaureate (IB)

[dreamerz718]

nansk:

havok_ex:

The UK A-levels has always been looked upon as inferior as compared to the SG A-level version. Its not unsurprising. Even NUS/NTU regularly rejects what is considered a 'good' A-level score if you take the UK version instead of the SG version.

I am curious why the UK A-levels are considered inferior. :scratchhead:

I heard that its considered 'easier', and there seems to be a form of grade inflation?

[micko07]

nansk:

havok_ex:

The UK A-levels has always been looked upon as inferior as compared to the SG A-level version. Its not unsurprising. Even NUS/NTU regularly rejects what is considered a 'good' A-level score if you take the UK version instead of the SG version.

I am curious why the UK A-levels are considered inferior. :scratchhead:

It's seen as easier than SIPCAL content-wise (you could probably cross-refer the syllabus of comparable subjects if you're interested). That, and in the UK, they use a modular system (like university), and allow for resits of individual modules. This makes it comparatively less stressful and easier than the Singapore format, where you are examined on 2 years' worth of knowledge all at once and you don't get the chance to resit.

[pirated]

micko07:

nansk:

[quote=\"havok_ex\"]The UK A-levels has always been looked upon as inferior as compared to the SG A-level version. Its not unsurprising. Even NUS/NTU regularly rejects what is considered a 'good' A-level score if you take the UK version instead of the SG version.

I am curious why the UK A-levels are considered inferior. :scratchhead:

It's seen as easier than SIPCAL content-wise (you could probably cross-refer the syllabus of comparable subjects if you're interested). That, and in the UK, they use a modular system (like university), and allow for resits of individual modules. This makes it comparatively less stressful and easier than the Singapore format, where you are examined on 2 years' worth of knowledge all at once and you don't get the chance to resit.[/quote]even the UK uni admission officers will tell you that the Singapore SEAB/MOE chose the harder more difficult version of the Cambridge GCE A level papers, and the admission officer do take that into account when deciding on borderline grade requirement for courses

[nansk]

Thank you for the responses.

[mathtuition88]

Personally, I would think that Singaporean students would have a good chance to rank favourably in IB (global programme).

Singaporean education system is currently stronger than many countries in terms of taking exams. (e.g. in PISA Singapore is ranked one of the top).

However, in A Levels Singaporean students are essentially competing against one another, since our A Levels are set and graded locally. Together with the "Bell Curve", this is not very good news for the students. (Note that the "IP" students from RI/HCI will be back in the competition)

Similar for O Levels, where a recent trend is that getting A1 for E Maths requires >90 marks.

[sinoboy]

dreamerz718:

nansk:

[quote=\"havok_ex\"]The UK A-levels has always been looked upon as inferior as compared to the SG A-level version. Its not unsurprising. Even NUS/NTU regularly rejects what is considered a 'good' A-level score if you take the UK version instead of the SG version.

I am curious why the UK A-levels are considered inferior. :scratchhead:

I heard that its considered 'easier', and there seems to be a form of grade inflation?[/quote]Some students do well in IB system and some in PSLE/O/A level system. The important thing is to make the change to a system that suits the student:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 70076.html

[MysticPurple]

My daughter is sitting for her O level this year and she told me she is keen on going to IB instead of JC or poly.


Thing is, I’m clueless about IB. All I know is that student join at secondary level and they skip O level. My girl told me that after her O level she can join IB, is this true?

I would appreciate if someone would be kind enough to enlighten me on this IB program. I’m really at a loss about its admission, curriculum, etc.

TIA…

[sharonkhoo]

The IB diploma programme starts at Yr5/JC1. The middle years (sec1-4) years lead up to it but are not mandatory. The schools which offer IB do take in students in Yr5/JC1. You can google to find out more.

[tck]

Local schools that offer the IB Diploma are SJI and ACSI. The bulk of their students are from their own through-train (Integrated) programmes, but there are places available for students who join after O-levels.


The L1R5 for SJI 2013 intake was 7, according to the FAQ. You can find out more about the programme in SJI's IB page.
http://www.sji.edu.sg/programmes/academ ... -questions

[12mum]

I think sji and acsi already had their open house and acs international was like a week or two ago.


Sji international open house is in sept. Would be good to go and speak to the teachers and students (not necessarily mean you must study in this school in the future) to have a better idea what Ib is all abt. Go see sji international website for more info.