國際文憑預科課程（IBDP) -12

In another post, a parent raised the above question, here is my replies.

[url=http://forum.edu-kingdom.com/red ... o=lastpost#lastpost]http://forum.edu-kingdom.com/red ... o=lastpost#lastpost[/url]

Some observations on your cases:

1. I agreed some IB students may not be the cream of the cream before IBDP, my son may be an example. But IBDP has totally different approach for studying, not like HKDSE / NSS. Some students may be more suitable in IB and perform much better in studying and examination format and achieve better grades. My son's progress in IB may overtake some friends who perform better than him in G7-9 in the same school. In the IB admission of my son's school, some students were recommended to stick to NSS by the IB coordinator, as they will perform much better in HKDSE.

2. IBDP is more demanding in learning process; I can witness my boy's work load and the quality of outputs. He finished Pre-IB last year and IBDP yr 1 around 2 months, he needs to work long hours for homework (I review his homework, most of them are meaningful and not repetitive drilling exercise.)and more quiz and progress test.... relative to NSS friends in the same grade & school, their progress much faster than NSS. 

"Who move the cheese?"..........

3. In the program, they need to do commentaries, critique, oral presentation, group projects, CAS, TOK, EE.......... Student profile - learn how to learn, inquirer, critical thinking, creativity..... They are nurturing very similar to university students, but in high school. They have higher self-esteem and self confidence and more comfortable in interviews. If I were a professor, similar results, I will take IB students.

4. GCE-AL may be another stories, most of them are studying in UK due to whatever reasons (We may think some of them are the kids of our dear civil servants.....). The standard may be even lower than HKDSE. I can't believe 12% student got A in GCE-AL....... Now, more and more UK boarding and private schools changed to IB schools. Unfortunately, some professors' view on GCE-AL not aligns with reality. 

5. I chatted with a few professors from business & medical schools, they ranked the academic results in descending order like this:
HKALE > IBDP > [HKDSE] > GCE-ALE > HKCEE > IGCSE, 
so more drop outs are from:
EAS (both HKCEE & IGCSE) > GCE-AL > IBDP

6. 知恥近乎勇 - if there is a choice, most parents and kids prefer to study in HK. Of course, some kids are very outstanding and study in feeder schools. But most of them due to relative poorer academic results or other problems. After changing to a new environment, the kid may have a chance to rethink and reshape himself due to teachers, new peer groups and more positive learning environment..... 

7. Even more mature students also understand the financial burden to their families, get better grades and through non-JUPAS get back to local universities, can help them to save HK$400-500k per year. I won't say its unfair if their results is comparable to other qualified kids.