IB vs GCSE exam

NLai

Oh, I understand more now.
In fact, I think one thing is very important in IBD is  '評分唔拉curve', but does it means only one public exam they will take during secondary education?

matthewdad

It is difficult to understand the report.
Can you give us some example ...
How much points will get if get AAB or BBC  (says)in GCE A Level Exam?

原文章由 warrrren 於 08-5-13 10:21 發表
The Tariff published by UCAS not long ago may be of interest to the readers here.  See http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/tarifftables/ for details.

warrrren

原文章由 matthewdad 於 08-5-13 15:13 發表
It is difficult to understand the report.
Can you give us some example ...
How much points will get if get AAB or BBC  (says)in GCE A Level Exam?

I am no expert but here are some pointers.

First, see also this page: http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/

In your examples, the student who gets AAB scores 360, and the other student who gets BBC scores 280.  In reality, both students may score more because chances are that they (a) will take more than 3 subjects in A level, and (b) they may score some more marks for Advanced Supplementaries.

If you are seriously interested, you may have a look of this: http://www.ucas.com/website/documents/tariff/tariff_reports/ib.doc.  There are some interesting details in it.

[ 本文章最後由 warrrren 於 08-5-13 16:06 編輯 ]

tingtingting

Some people say IB is more suitable for students strong in language.  Is that true?

almom

原文章由 tingtingting 於 08-5-13 16:09 發表
Some people say IB is more suitable for students strong in language.  Is that true?

It depends on which "level" you are talking about.

PYP (primary school) ..... I would say that there are most tolerence for students with less competent English skills. The classroom setup (one classroom teacher per class + shared teaching assistances + shared teaching specialists, etc) can cater for those slightly weaker in English. Some children can improve a lot after half to one year with an international school. However, if a child is unable to really catch up with the rest when before entering MYP, it is really hard for him to get good grades.

MYP (years 7 - 11) ..... I would say that students need to have good language skills. At my child's school, many subjects are not textbook subjects, ie you do not have a textbook to follow. Students need to comprehend in class and have to be able to follow what the teacher is doing/teaching. Classes are now divided into separate subjects. And, for example, the Math or Humanities teacher would not be able to have all the time to help a student with his language. There are a lot of writing tasks and students need to write things that can be understood by the teachers. You also need to be able to put your ideas in words and write them out fast. Even English classes in Year 7 are no longer merely English grammar classes or English writing skills classes. They comprise mainly appreciation of books, poems, and in-class discussions of historical and current events. MYP requires class participation. If you do not speak up in class, you get lower grades. And active contribution in class discussions requires strong English skills.

IBDP (Diploma program, ie years 12 & 13) is indeed for students strong in language. Unfortunately, all IBD schools in Hong Kong are all English schools. So that implies that Hong Kong students have no choice but to have good English skills if they want to go to an IBD school in Hong Kong.

IBD is extremely demanding and there will be no time for students to spend on learning simple language skills. Sure students will, as time goes by, be able to further polish their language skills during the 2 years with an IBD school. But they need to have really good basic language skills and study skills before entering IBD level. Generally, I would say that most international schools (even those that did not have PYP and MYP) should be able to train students up to meet the basic needs for IBD.

I would not say that those that are less good in English should not choose IB program. Just that you probably need to spend more time to quickly up-grade your English skills as soon as possible before going to IBD program. And in fact, you need good language skills at this stage no matter which program you are with.

[ 本文章最後由 almom 於 08-5-13 17:31 編輯 ]

tingtingting

Dear almon,

Thanks a lot.

almom

Thanks to warrrren who posted the useful links.

It is really easier for us to understand further, with the grades of each curriculum quantified.

almom

原文章由 christf 於 08-5-11 18:59 發表
The main point of discusion is that you can select a more generalised education or you can select a more
specialised "high level" teaching at the last two years of secondary school under the GCE A-le ...

How can you be so sure if you do not know!
Do not be too obsessed with the polygonal diagrams at the IBO website and presume that IB programs are exactly the equal division of subjects.
IBD courses are divided into different levels. Taking Math as an example, if a student wants to be an engineer, he probably has to take the more difficult Math. If a student is thinking of being a fashion designer, he probably only need to take the general Math. And students can choose whatever suits his future pursuit.
In any case, I personally think that even first and second year subjects at university is hardly "the real thing". I cannot see how "high level" a high school course can be.

warrrren

Come on, chrisf.  You surely do know what "1st part" and "2nd part" mean, don't you?  Do I have to use more colour and different fonts to make my message more readable to you?

You are entitled to your view that A is better than B.  I have no problem with that.  In fact, I will stand up to defend your right to your view if necessary.  What annoyed me is your statement that some schools do MYP and PYP only because they want to attract more applicants. No only is it a serious allegation, it is contemptuous of many hard working men and women, and many good schools worldwide.  A serious statement like this is, without proof and substantiation, worse than worthless.

matthewdad

Thanks a lot for your explanation.

原文章由 warrrren 於 08-5-13 15:40 發表


I am no expert but here are some pointers.

First, see also this page: http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/

In your examples, the student who gets AAB scores 360, and the other student who get ...

warrrren

No matter what combinations and levels you choose, you cannot take 3 science subjects or 3 humanity subjects no matter what levels of those subjects !!!  Do you understand my point now?

Although it is going to be difficult, I will try my very best to understand your point. (I told you I am generous and patient, didn't I?)  Are you saying that IBO is at fault because it somehow fails to make DP more one-dimensional to take care of the special needs of the one-dimensional students?  If I understand you wrongly, it's my fault.  Your logic is beyond me.

In any event, as a matter of fact, IBO can be quite flexible.  For an example, student in Germany (and Belgium as well, if my memory serves me) who want to study aviation science in universities can do 3 science subjects.  There are more exceptions to the general grouping.  See the IBO's materials yourself for further information.

matthewdad

Down to the bottom line, please advise which school is recommeded (local, IS or whatever..)

原文章由 christf 於 08-5-13 23:02 發表
My point is that IBD is not flexible enough to take care of various type of people.  Besides, I have already said that in order to gain a board knowledge in various aspects, GSCE is good enough as you ...

中天英

"in order to gain a board knowledge in various aspects, GSCE is good enough as you can take 9 to 10 subjects"

呢點我有保留。

現今世界, 知識爆棚, GCSE所包含既野, 係唔夠既; 以美國Ivy League大學為例, 大學頭兩年, 都要再深入去讀文理各科, 目的係 - to gain a board knowledge in various aspects - 要等到第三年, 先至花大量時間讀Major。

Harvard, Princeton 同 Yale 呢D世界级名校, 都唔比學生太早專門化既。