IP, IB vs A Levels

[MrsKiasu]

Seems only for those already know IB suited them more after Psle, no need take O level exam. The rest need to. So decide early ba.

[sushi88]

My humble opinions to add:

- i don’t think Spore system is “broken” or has “loophole”. IB has been recognised by many top Uni around the world for a long time. If it is recognised by many and for long time, there must be some merit in it. Now that Spore has its own IB colleges, and local IB graduates applying for local U, we are seeing local U accepting IB graduates from local colleges - same recruitment process as other Uni around the world. Top PSLE/O level students may opt for the 2 MOE IB schools during selection of secondary/post secondary school, if they think IB is easier than A level to manage.

- i agree IB is a good alternative to A level, because of my personal preference and has it been recognised around the world for long time. Now the question is how to offer it more widely in Spore (if that is the objective) Firstly I think it still boils down to demands. If the 2 MOE IB schools COP start dropping (as pointed out by some parents), then we can have more IB schools.

Spore system is not made up of IB alone, a system is made up of many parts. However, you only talk about standalone IB and its merit which we agree but not the system. IB standalone may not be an issue but stacked against other considerations, there is more to look into. The recruitment process as other uni around the world is at best similar but not the same because our education paths plus demand/supply here also play a part in shaping the system.

[lee_yl]

A friend just shared that she places around $5k (non-refundable application and enrollment fee) and another $6k (refundable deposit upon acceptance of a place) to reserve a place in SJI Int before her kid took PSLE some years ago as her kid wasn’t doing well in the local school system.

When her kid was doing IB at the international school, the school teacher alerted that her kid may be having some learning difficulties as there appeared to make silly mistakes in Maths. Turn out that her kid has ADHD. Friend shared that if her kid were to take A-levels, may need to retain at JC1 even if her kid could make it to JC.

[lee_yl]

My humble opinions to add:

- i don’t think Spore system is “broken” or has “loophole”. IB has been recognised by many top Uni around the world for a long time. If it is recognised by many and for long time, there must be some merit in it. Now that Spore has its own IB colleges, and local IB graduates applying for local U, we are seeing local U accepting IB graduates from local colleges - same recruitment process as other Uni around the world. Top PSLE/O level students may opt for the 2 MOE IB schools during selection of secondary/post secondary school, if they think IB is easier than A level to manage.

- i agree IB is a good alternative to A level, because of my personal preference and has it been recognised around the world for long time. Now the question is how to offer it more widely in Spore (if that is the objective) Firstly I think it still boils down to demands. If the 2 MOE IB schools COP start dropping (as pointed out by some parents), then we can have more IB schools.

Why not use SAT to replace A-level results for local university admission since SAT is also recognized world wide? Plus SAT is freaking easy relative to local A-levels.

Nobody is disputing that IB is recognized and a good system. However, for local universities admission, there may be a need to tweak the admission criteria to take into account the higher standards of local A-levels. After all, even Cambridge University also recognizes that local A-level Maths is equivalent to UK A-level Further Mathematics.

Take things one step at a time. Start by publishing the IB COP for individual courses at NUS/NTU/SMU. Don’t publish doesn’t mean can deny that 42 points can gain entry to NUS Law and Med and 32 points can get into Arts and Social Sc and Engineering courses.

[00skyblue00]

Repeated.

Sji(JC) ib cop is net 7.

If one get net 6, would he or she choose:
EJC sci
Njc sci
SJI ib
?
What would we as parents prefer and our children choose now?

Main bulk would choose A level, safe path. Switch to ib for 2 years, is it worth it? Selling point of ib is for the journey.
A level is an exam, more for the end point.

One way to make A level less competitive is to influence more top kids to switch to IB.

[MrsKiasu]

From the discussion so far..for me if my dd so capable to get that results. I will tell her about IB but up to her.

[bbbay]

Spore system is not made up of IB alone, a system is made up of many parts. However, you only talk about standalone IB and its merit which we agree but not the system. IB standalone may not be an issue but stacked against other considerations, there is more to look into. The recruitment process as other uni around the world is at best similar but not the same because our education paths plus demand/supply here also play a part in shaping the system.

Could you elaborate more?

[bbbay]

My apology. I meant to say:

My humble opinions to add:

- i don’t think Spore system is “broken” or has “loophole”. IB has been recognised by many top Uni around the world for a long time. If it is recognised by many and for long time, there must be some merit in it. And also U around the world have been having the admission process that involve SPore A level, UK A level and IB. Now that Spore has its own IB colleges, and local IB graduates applying for local U, we are seeing local U administrating the process that involve Spore A level, UK A level and now, IB graduates from local colleges too - same recruitment process as other Uni around the world. If the same/almost same admissions system is adopted world wide, it should have its merits too. Top PSLE/O level students may opt for the 2 MOE IB schools during selection of secondary/post secondary school, if they think IB is easier than A level to manage.

- i agree IB is a good alternative to A level, because of my personal preference and has it been recognised around the world for long time. Now the question is how to offer it more widely in Spore (if that is the objective) Firstly I think it still boils down to demands. If the 2 MOE IB schools COP start dropping (as pointed out by some parents), then we can have more IB schools.

[sushi88]

No one is not fine with the other path too.

All these years this has been the situation. Those who will choose ib had done so. Without all these fuss abt transparency. Nothing is stopping anyone to choose too.

The suggestion that one exam is harder will influence more people to switch. When more top kids esp switch out if A levels, can help make A level less competitive, what this fuss is abt. Those eventually stay in A level will do better.

Don't we all know the mainstream only has 4 IB offering since 2004?
So based on probability alone, most people would not explore the IB route with so limited places even if they know the merits of IB, right?

Also, if you notice, all the local schools offering IB are SJI, ACS and MGS all have primary schools, so the culture in these schools are very closely-knitted and likely their own students would apply back. This may also be a deterrent for some students who may prefer a more diverse environment of students coming from various backgrounds. Diversity is also a relevant consideration for the school environment if one is spending so much time there, where exposure is the most. So isn't it better to consider offering these to schools without closely-knitted communities as well for better diversity of school culture?

For those interested, estimated vacancies I found:
MGS IP = 120 ( as of 2021) (not all go into IB in yr 5 and 6)
ACSI IP = 330 (as of 2012) likely a bit more now? (not all go into IB in year 5 and 6)
ACSI IB = 450 (as of 2021) (include some JAEs)
SJI IB = 269 (as of 2021)

so total IB vacancies from these 2 mainstream schools are about 700+

Edit to change as a kind soul has updated the following info to me:
ACSI IP ~ 175 (my number could be the total of both IP and O level)
SJI IP ~ 120-150
So there is about 415-445 intake (IP intended to IB if all goes well) at Sec 1.

The overall 700+ remains the same, probably from JAEs or transfers

[slmkhoo]

Read somewhere here that school fees for IB is expensive/more expensive. What is the school fee for doing IB in the 2 local schools?

All independent schools charge higher fees than the normal govt schools. The fees are probably around $350 per month - should be on their websites.

International schools charge much higher fees, including the "local international" schools, maybe $3K per month or higher - again, look on their websites for the fees.