For people considering whether to do A levels or IB, you should consider these criteria. In a perfect world, IB would be the best option for anyone as it gives you the skill to cope with university life however it is very intensive and you should also take into account your grades and if you are able to manage the pressure. To put it simply, in IB you take 6 subjects whereas in A levels you only take 3, this would give IB an advantage if you are not certain in what you have to do and you have the opportunity to widen your horizons. A level is a pragmatic test of academic ability. IB (while highly academic) is unashamedly idealistic in its philosophy. Everyone thinks IB is for the geniuses of the world but it isn’t true at all, IB focuses on consistency and determination and if you are the person who likes to procrastinate, then IB might not be you. Also, when you are choosing to apply to universities in the UK, the A levels and IB hold no difference. However, if you were to plan on going to Canada, USA, etc. universities in those countries appreciate IB due to CAS, TOK, etc.
In my personal opinion, what I like about IB is that it constantly evolves throughout the years, for example, your internal assessments in some subjects have to be relevant to the present day, compared to the A levels, it hasn’t been changed for a long time, it still follows the old school method of teaching. Also, IB prepares you for the future as you learn how to cope with the pressure.
However, it all depends on you. If you value grades over everything and are confident in what you want to do in the future, then I would suggest A levels. However, if you would like to get some experience preparing for uni, learn how to keep up with the rigor of your studies and become a more well-rounded student I would definitely suggest IB.
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