August - September 2015

88 146

88 Aug-Sep15
LIFE&FAMILY
Pathways to University
In the final two years of their secondary schooling,
students at the Australian International School
Hong Kong can opt to undertake studies in either
the New South Wales Higher School Certificate
(HSC) or the International Baccalaureate (IB)
Diploma Program. We asked two students to give
us their perspectives on the different streams.
KIRAN SHIVALINGAM is taking the HSC this year. He has
been at AISHK since Year 7.
What would you say are the main differences
between HSC and IB?
The critical difference between the two is that the HSC
emphasises choice, while the IB focuses on getting you to be
an all-round student. In many instances, the HSC is also more
theoretical and descriptive, while the IB can bemore skill-based.
Tell us about your workload as an HSC student.
Gaining a good mark in the HSC means consistently
completing everything that is set for you. Subjects like
Mathematics and English require persistent practice and
review, while humanities subjects especially require constant
creation and collation of notes. I spend hours each day
preparing for the next exam, so the workload is heavy, but
manageable.
How does AISHK help prepare
you for Year 12 and your exams?
The Preliminary HSC year is by far one
of the most helpful things to prepare
you for Year 12. Just as Year 12’s sit
exams, so too do Year 11’s, with the
teachers formatting exams in similar
ways and teaching similar concepts.
That way, once you do reach Year 12,
nothing is a surprise, and you know
precisely what to do to achieve the
best possible mark you can.
AUDREY LING has been at AISHK for two
years and has chosen the IB Diploma.
When did you decide to pursue the IB?
I made my decision after listening to the HSC/
IB talk in Year 10 and discussing it with my
parents.
What made you choose it?
The most important factor for me was that it aims at a holistic
education, requiring students to be critical thinkers and be
open-minded. By implementing the extra requirement for
Creativity, Action and Service (CAS), IB offers me more
opportunities to get out of my comfort zone and develop skills
by getting involved in different activities that are not found in
academics and classroom teaching.
What advice would you give to younger students
trying to choose between the HSC and IB?
Reflect on your previous studies and explore your strengths
and weaknesses before choosing either. Compare both
courses, and clearly understand what is expected. Discuss
the options with your parents and older students.
HSC vs IB
AISHK’s Dean of Studies CHRISMCCORKELL (pictured at
top ) gives his view of the two qualifications: “In general, the
HSC is a pre-tertiary qualification sourced from Australia,
while the IB is a pre-tertiary qualification designed to cater
for students in international settings. Both are internationally
recognised and accredited by universities from all over
the world. Both curricula are rigorous and demanding,
requiring a full-time commitment during the final two years
of secondary schooling. Neither programme is easier than
the other. The HSC provides more scope for specialisation
– for example, in the Sciences or via extension courses in
Mathematics and English, while the IB Diploma Program
is known for its broad, well-rounded approach.”
|