Feature
To IB or not to IB? Frédérique Petithory IB Co-ordinator
Graeme Young Deputy Head of Senior School – Student Learning
Carey students are very fortunate to be able to choose between the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) for their final two years of secondary study. There are some key differences between the IB and VCE and some students naturally gravitate towards one or the other. One important factor is that VCE students can specialise in an area of interest (choosing to study two or three creative art subjects, for example) whereas all IB students study a broader program.
Our experience is that the IB tends, mistakenly, to be seen as a program only for the most able students. This is not the case. At many schools around the world, all students complete the IB Diploma. The IB should be considered as a genuine and worthwhile option for any student who has the ambition to go to university. While the Carey IB average ATAR and percentage of students who achieve results of 90 and above is higher than our VCE students, the difference between those students’ Year 10 results is less pronounced. Students
at Carey who achieve B and B+ results in Year 10 regularly feature among our top performing IB students. The differences in the type of assessment in the IB and VCE and the way they are converted to an ATAR account for much of the difference in scores. There are many resources and ways we support students to decide if they will select the IB or VCE program, and the subjects they would prefer to study. In addition to discussions with their teachers and mentor, Year 10 students meet with their Career Practitioner and attend a Pathways Planning Day to help determine their next steps.
What‘s the difference? IB
IB Biology 22 | Torch
VCE
Study a broad program to develop a breadth of skills and interests
Flexibility to study a broad program or specialise in a particular area of interest
Choose a subject from five or six learning areas designed to develop the whole person
Choose from a wide range of subjects with more specific coursework
Pursue a passion or interest through the completion of in-depth research projects for formal coursework
Space the learning out through smaller, more frequent tests and assessments
Prepare for tertiary education with a curriculum built to replicate the university experience
The opportunity to choose a VET subject to enhance your skills and kick start your career
Dedicate all of Year 11 and 12 to mastering your chosen subject pathway
The flexibility to change your subjects after the first or second semester of Year 11
