I'm one of the recipients of the KPM Bursary and I have shortlisted my options to do either A-levels or International Baccalaureate(IB). Recently I have been having sleepless nights contemplating between these two Pre-U programmes. One moment I'm interested in A-levels and the next, I find myself drawn to IB. Actually, I have already decided to take IB earlier on but now I am having second thoughts. One of my main concerns is the extensive workload in IB. I can honestly admit that I am a lazy person and am the 'last-minute' type of student, so I am worried that I can't cope with the huge amount of assignments. I know A-leves has its fair share of assignments as well but compared to IB, it doesn't seem that taxing. Also, I am quite a shy person, so there is a high possibility that I might screw up the oral presentations in IB. I understand that both the A-levels and IB have the same recognition. So is it worth all the extra stress and pressure by taking IB?

Yesterday, I went to Taylor's in Subang and was told that the number of students they have accepted for A-levels is overloaded. So either way, I have to do my Pre-U programme in Sri Hartamas. My mum prefers the atmosphere in Sri Hartamas whereas I like Subang for its convenience. I mean, they are plenty of food outlets in Subang. And at reasonable price too. But if I were to take IB, then I would have no choice. If I choose A-levels, I can still appeal to be transferred to Subang. Any Taylor's students here who are willing to share their experience?

Thank you. =)

I'm currently doing IB, and I think the most compelling reason as to why I chose IB is the skills that IB teaches. A levels is mainly content based. 10 years later, I believe much of the content I have learned will be irrelevant. However, the skills such as writing skills will still be needed as I draft letters, proposals and so on. IB is not so much about the content, but the analytical and thinking skills. A level math questions are meant to have long workings (for Singapore A levels; I'm not sure about the ones in Malaysia) but IB questions require that you complete the questions in the shortest steps possible, otherwise there's not enough time to do the whole paper. So the whole approach is totally different. IB stretches horizontally but A levels stretch vertically.

A very important thing is that to do well in IB, you really really need competent teachers who know what's expected by IBO, and who knows how to guide and pace you well.

I think both IB and A levels are both very good Pre-u courses that are internationally recognized and provide training (albeit in different ways). I believe that IB is the better course.However, I personally would pick A-levels.

This is because I think A levels is more suited towards the type of student that prefers 100% assessment by one exam (me ) and also more 'booksmart' in the sense that all we have to do is read the syllabus with less hands-on skill compared with IB holders who are all rounders as IB trains them to present things well, to think and analyse a situation properly etc.

Sorta depends on what kind of person you are, IMO.

Haha sorry I really have no idea how Malaysia's A levels is like, but Singapore's questions really require long workings to reach the solution. Of course long is relative to IB's long, and not like 2 or 3 pages. Another thing is none of IB's paper 1 allow the use of calculator. This applies for group 4 and group 5 subjects. Which is why the questions in IB are designed to have relatively nice answers most of the times and can be done in very few steps.

Thank you for all the inputs guys!

Personally, I think A-levels suits me better just because I, just like any other Malaysian students who took SPM, have been in the same exam-oriented education system for 11 years now. The sense of familiarity might help one do better? Okay, that is just a mere assumption but still an assumption nonetheless. However, after listening and reading many comments on IB, my interest in the programme slowly begins to grow. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to the same concern; the workload and the question whether I can cope with it.

By the way, how hard is it to get a score of 7 in IB? Is it harder than scoring an A* in A-levels? I know this is a subjective question but is there a scale or something to determine the difficulty? =S

Hi, just curious, what subjects do u intend to take at A-levels or IB and what course do u intend to pursue at degree level?

Also, for example if u are not into languages u wouldn't want to take IB. Besides u cant take 3 sciences in IB (correct me if i am wrong).

Wow! Sorry for being absent for sooooo long! I was busy recently.
Exam can be only taken half a year later? Then forget it! I can't wait that long considering that IB takes 2 years, which is already long enough!

The problem is that there are only 2 subjects available in Group 3 in Taylor's, namely Economics and Business Management. I'm interested in taking both but I'm not sure if it's the best idea. Sri KDU International School offers Psychology as well but...I already registered in Taylor's. Kinda a rushed decision I made. 
Subjects, I am still unsure but I'm planning to pursue either Economics or Actuarial Science in the future. So, a combination of Physics, Economics and Maths at HL sounds reasonable. But I'm not interested in Physics! For some reasons, I'd rather take Bio even though I really dislike the subject. 
I like the sound of that! 
Funny you should mention that coz I was actually planning to take 4 HL subjects. Bio, Chemistry, Maths & Economics, maybe, just to open more doors in the future. Is it possible to pursue a degree in Economics if you study it in SL in IB? If so, I might do just that. 

I totally understand what you are saying. The reason I am keeping Biology HL as an option is because if I were to somehow venture into the science field in the future, I would rather go for Pharmacy/Dentistry rather than Engineering. To make it clear, I have NEVER been interested in Engineering whereas I have interest, albeit just a tiny little bit, towards Pharmacy/Dentistry. And you did mentioned that "sometimes Biology or Geography takes preference over Economics, for entry into an Economics degree." Is this considered a complicated situation? 

Oh wow. So many 7's. Let the pressure begin! 

Judging from what you've written, I guess Physics HL and Biology HL will be the best combination. You'll probably need Math HL as well like someone else has said if you wanna take Actuarial Science. But again, if you are having trouble with Science subjects, you might struggle again because it basically means you're inclined towards a more Science subjects. Sorry that I couldn't give you more advise on that subject combination besides giving you an idea how IB was like even though I'm an IB graduate, don't know too much about Actuarial and Economics! Good luck choosing though, please ask again if you have more specific questions and I'll see if I could help.

I'm sorry, I just have to disagree with that. Yes, it's doable, but it's highly strenuous!! I've met a girl who studied 4 HLs and 3 SLs, but even with her perfect score, she admitted it, it was really tiring!!

It's tiring enough just by getting perfect for standard 3 HLs, 3 SLs. You do understand that each subject has their own internal assessments. These internal assessments are on-going throughout the 2 years, literally give you lesser time to study.
Sciences = 1 lab report per week per 1 science subject, must follow uni format from abstract to bibliography;
maths = maths portfolio x2;
Languages (more like literature) = read novels (at least 1 novel per semester per language), memorise poems (a number of them), analyse novels, oral exams on the novels and poem, write an essay (1,800 words) on world literature;
Social sciences = e.g. economics, find 4 articles and write pages of commentary reports;

These IAs constitute a percentage depending on the course, some 25%, some 30%.

Then, every week have to write a CAS report for Creativity, Action and Service. Every activity that you do, you need to write a report in order to get the required 150 credit hours. Need to do voluntary work such as volunteer in a hospital, school etc.

Then Tok (Theory of Knowledge) essay (I think 2,000 words) which requires lots of research, reading, thinking ... ToK is actually a small part of philosophy.

Then finally (I hope) is the Extended Essay (4,000 words) [some ppl churned out 80 pages stuff] which requires research, experimentation (if sciences) etc ... EE, ToK essay, World Literature essay require a lot of work, because it's not a 1-time finish task! You need to submit draft, amend, draft, amend, draft, amend, then submit!! Need to submit at least 2 drafts ...

Then you also need to spend some time with you mentor, so that he can get to know you, and write you a reference letter, and you need to apply to uni. If you're applying to US, ... then ... be prepared for an arduous application!!

I hope that summarises it ...
Definitely Physics and Chemistry, even if you want to do medicine or dentistry. There's no problem entering uni without Biology, doctors said that, so were my friends who studied medicine. You need bio is you're doing biology degree.