IB results compared to A-level results

Applying to College
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<p>Students are scoring high on A-levels, and Imperial College London has decided it can no longer rely on students passing A-levels. The College is implementing its own entrance exam.</p>

<p>This Independent article suggests the IB alternative to A-levels:

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<p><a href=“http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/the-big-question-have-alevels-become-too-easy-and-should-there-be-a-harder-alternative-840486.htm[/url]”>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/the-big-question-have-alevels-become-too-easy-and-should-there-be-a-harder-alternative-840486.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>In my opinion, the IB is the better qualification. It offers a greater range of assessment- a 7 is difficult to get, while a 6 is still an A. The IB requires both a greater number and variety of subjects. A Level results have been a matter of debate for more than five years now. As of August 2007, 25% of all A level grades awarded were at grade A. This is worrying for a national externally assessed exam and does indicate grade inflation. Grade A*, a kind of super A, is being introduced at A Level. Even though Imperial is notoriously elitist, it seems to be a trend. Some top 5 or 10 UK universities now have some form of additional assessment. Oxbridge are going to be setting their own exams, I had to write essays in my first foreign language which had to be validated by my school for UCL; I’ve heard of additional tests for the LSE. Also, there are national exams for Law (LNAT) and for Medicine (BMAT).</p>