Easiest and Hardest IB courses

Are you a student with academic rigour who wants to pursue more of it and excel in your career? If you are thinking of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, then you are at the right place. Here is a complete guide about IB, the easiest and hardest IB courses, and various facets of it by Rostrum; you can choose the courses to help fulfil your aspired career. 

The most popular is the two-year “pre-university” course known as the IB Diploma Programme (DP), which students begin in their second-to-last year of high school. Having an IB Diploma is considered a prestigious one, and it will open the door for you to top universities across the globe!

The students with IB diplomas have an advantage over others because of the program’s relentless academic curriculum and many other factors. First, the IB program underlines critical thought, analytical skills, and time management. These skills are essential for steering higher education demands and prerequisite qualities to get a good job in this competitive world. It equips the students with depth of understanding, resilience, and the ability to face academic challenges and adaptability because of the nature of the courses, complex concepts, and diverse perspectives.

If you want to pursue IB at a very young age and need guidance regarding this, or any parents who want their children to see touching the sky. Book a free consultation with us now!

What are IB Courses, or What is an IB Diploma?

IB courses or an IB Diploma is considered to be a globally recognised educational framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The programme is designed for high school students aged 16-19 to develop subject knowledge and essential skills for pursuing their higher education. The IB course strives to facilitate students’ intellectual or academic, personal, emotional, and social skills. It seeks to foster international inclusivity, awareness, and intercultural understanding for the student’s holistic development. It also allows students to choose their subjects and level of study, giving them a fundamental base in their educational journey to pursue their field with more depth and critical skills. 

Through the Diploma Programme, schools can develop students with excellent breadth and depth of knowledge. Assisting them in flourishing physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically. Additionally, It encompasses at least two languages, catering to traditional academic subjects like economy, geography and so on. It explores the nature of knowledge through the programme’s unique theory of knowledge course.

Key Features of IB Courses:

1. Core Structure: The IB program consists of three core components that all students must complete:

• • • Theory of Knowledge (TOK): A course that encourages critical thinking and explores the nature of knowledge it encompasses, from philosophy to various thinking traditions.
    • Extended Essay (EE): A 4,000-word independent research project on a topic of the student’s choice. This will help students to start writing their mini-thesis.
    • Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Involves extracurricular activities to develop students’ creativity, physical activity, and community service. It aims to develop the overall capabilities of the students.

2. Subject Groups: IB courses are offered across six subject groups:

• • • Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (e.g., English, native language courses).
    • Group 2: Language Acquisition (e.g., foreign languages like Spanish, French, or Mandarin).
    • Group 3: Individuals and Societies (e.g., History, Geography, Economics).
    • Group 4: Sciences (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Physics).
    • Group 5: Mathematics (e.g., Math Analysis, Math Applications).
    • Group 6: The Arts (e.g., Visual Arts, Music, Theatre). Students can opt for another subject from the other groups instead of an arts course.

3. Levels of Study:

1. • Higher Level (HL): More intensive and in-depth study of the subject, usually requiring more class time.
   • Standard Level (SL): HL is less extensive than it is but still offers a challenging curriculum.

Make sure that your personal interests align with the subjects that you choose. For example, focusing on HL Mathematics and Physics is wise if you plan to pursue engineering. HL might be better suited if you’re interested in the humanities, history, and literature. If you are interested in psychology, take HL Psychology and Health Sciences. 

How are IB courses graded?

The Diploma Programme (DP) students receive grades for each course ranging from 1 to 7, with 7 representing the highest score. Students must total their grades across all their courses to receive their final diploma. They must fulfil specific standards, such as finishing the three main DP components and receiving at least 24 points total.

When will one not qualify for the diploma?

When

• Score a 1 in any subject, or 
• Score more than two 2’s in any subject or
• Score more than three 3’s or lower in any subject

Variability in converting IB score to GPA-

Because different institutions and nations may employ different conversion systems, converting an IB score to a GPA can be complicated. But a broad rule of thumb is:

• 7 in HL: Identical to an A or A+ in GPA terms, frequently regarded as a 4.0.
• 6 in HL/SL: Approximately equal to an A or A-, usually a 3.7-3.9 GPA.
• A 5 in HL/SL corresponds to a 3.0-3.6 GPA, comparable to a B or B+.
• In SL, a four is typically regarded as a C or C+, with a GPA of 2.0 to 2.9. 

Bear in mind that the conversion scale might differ. Hence, students should contact the university administrator or school guidance counsellor for reliable information.

List of Easiest IB Courses

Hold your horses; not every IB course is made equal. Some are considered exceptionally difficult, while others are simpler and easier. To assist you in understanding easiest IB courses and the hardest IB courses, we’ll examine them in this blog. This will help you select the classes that best suit your interests and strong points.

IB Business Management

• IB in Business management is regarded as one of the easier and simpler subjects to opt for, as it gives students hands-on experience with essential business topics like marketing, finance, and human resources.
• Average results: According to data from the IB Organization, business management students frequently receive mean grades between 5.5 and 6 out of 7, which is higher than usual. The marking is also another criterion for students to pursue this course.
• Why It’s Easier- It is easier for many students as it can be easily applied to the real world and has a plethora of practical applications. Its relative ease results from the material’s simplicity and emphasis on modern business procedures.

IB Psychology

• Another course that comes under easier IB courses is psychology, which generally discusses basic psychological theoretical underpinnings, ideas, research techniques, and applications. It caters to the demand of students who want to pursue clinical psychology, career counselling, or psychology per se with interesting theories and cases.
• Average results: Many students see psychology as viable, as seen by the typically higher average score of 5.5 to 6 out of 7.
• Why It’s Easier: The course is convenient due to its easy, systematic process of understanding human behaviour and its relatable content. Students’ attention and comprehension are also increased by its applicability to daily life.

IB Economics

• The course generally introduces students to the micro and macro concepts of economics. It allows them to develop an understanding of the complexities and interdependence of economic activities in a rapidly changing world.
• Average Results: Economics is the easiest subject to get a 7 in. It has the highest proportion of students achieving 7s in SL and HL and has an exceptionally high mean grade.
• Why It’s Easier: Because the concepts in this course are straightforward with current examples, and given the dynamic nature of the subject, students are more curious to learn about it. 

List of Hardest IB Courses

IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (AA)

• IB Mathematics AA is known for its sophistication and rigorousness. At a general level, it requires students to understand refined mathematical ideas, arguments, and approaches to problem-solving. However, the abstract nature of the discipline makes it harder.
• Average Scores: The average score for Mathematics AA ranges from 4.5 to 5 out of 7, which is considered relatively poor.
• The Reason It’s Difficult: This course is challenging due to the abstract character of the concepts and analysis, and students are required to pursue this course with a high degree of mathematical and numerical analysis. Unless one has a good command over the subject, one can’t get success in AA.

IB Physics

• Overview: one of the hardest IB courses is IB Physics because of its challenging content, which asks students to do more tedious work with expansive mathematical prerequisites. Physics is fundamental to the experimental sciences; it strives to elucidate the universe, from the tiniest particles to the vast spaces between galaxies.
• Average Results:  It tends to be lower, around 4.5 to 5 out of 7.
• Why It’s Hard: The course’s blend of theoretical and practical components requires dedication, constant brainstorming and significant mathematical calculations. It is difficult to get good scores, and also, in the application part, students need to grasp complex concepts and be ready to apply them to the real world, which is very challenging. 

IB in Information Technology in Global Society (ITGS)-

• The course encompasses an integrated approach, encouraging students to make informed judgments and decisions about the role of information and communication technologies in contemporary society. Based on three interconnected strands: social and ethical significance, application to specified scenarios, and IT systems.
• Average result: ITGS also has a very low percentage of students scoring 7s.
• Why it’s hard- Given the nature of ITC in the world and its interaction with diverse societal elements, it is challenging to grasp ITC techie-based material and societal perception. How this can be applied to increasing social and ethical intelligence requires time and effort. 

Factors Affecting Course Difficulty

Students often encounter challenges in selecting a subject that aligns with their interests and gives them good scores; however, here are the broad factors which determine the difficulty level of a course:

1. Base knowledge of the subject: One of the factors that determines the difficulty level of a subject is the students’s experience and exposure to that subject or related subjects. For instance, people who are good at arithmetic could tackle Mathematics AA more easily.
2. Passion and Engagement: If a course interests the students a lot, then there is a chance that the students will feel that particular subject is less difficult. This interest will help them learn more about the subject through enthusiasm. A substantial interest in a subject can improve the enjoyment of learning and comprehending the content.
3. Assistance and Materials: Having adequate material and teachers who can create interest in the subjects with their teaching methods and study groups, tutoring, and instructor support can significantly impact students’ ability to do well in difficult classes.

What is a good IB score for top universities?

A good IB Score is measured in relative terms based on the university and the programme that you are choosing, and broadly, it is as follows:

• Premier Universities (such as Ivy League, Oxford): As these are very reputed institutions, they look for students with high scores of 38–40 or better out of 45. Some selective courses might also require a score above 40, especially in subjects linked to your field of study. However, it differs from one university to another.
• Highly Selective Universities: These bands of universities, which are top and reputed ones, look for students with a score of 36 to 38, and they will also look into your additional application materials such as extracurriculars, personal statements, and interviews. Subject to variation depending on the course for which you are applying!
• Good Universities: A score between 32-35 is generally a good score to easily get into these universities.

Universities consider your HL scores individually, especially in subjects relevant to your intended major.

Benefits of IB Diploma

The IB Diploma presents numerous advantages for students who pursue it like:

• Global Significance of the IB Diploma: International recognition of the curriculum and a diploma can be a boon for students applying abroad for higher studies. The Diploma certificate also gives students a cutting-edge academic advantage and required skill sets over others in higher education admissions.
• Development of Skills: The programme focuses extensively on research, essay writing, and critical inquiry through challenging activities like Extended Essay (EE) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) components. These tasks help students learn various academic and life skills in their careers during their holistic development.
• Preparation for University: The tedious process in the IB programme makes students aware of the complexities of the higher education systems. This will aid students at their higher education level with the necessary skills like time management, problem-solving, and self-discipline.
• International Outlook: The cultural diversity and salience of global issues are ingrained in the IB curriculum. At a very young age, with this curriculum, students can focus on global issues, which helps them to develop a perspective. Making students aware of various world dynamics in academia enriches the student’s understanding of the world.

They are given a platform to engage with cross-continental academic horizons and are well-informed about global concerns and varied cultures. This enables them to interact with a world that is becoming seamlessly interconnected in a better way. These qualities are very helpful for a person to thrive in different communities, societies, academic spheres, and workplaces. Additionally, it thrives on the idea of an interconnecting world with an expanding global network of IB schools, teachers and students, allowing for a helpful community that exchanges knowledge and resources. This network can help students move to higher education by offering them mentorship and advice.  

FAQs on Easiest and Hardest IB Courses

1. How do I get 7s in IB?

Stick to your course material, engage with the subject, and feel free to contact your teachers to learn about the subject in detail. It requires dedication and deep interest to get 7s in IB. 

2. Is IB harder than JEE?

These two are at different levels, and it also depends on your interest; if you are interested in going for engineering, then JEE is a better option; however, if you want a holistic understanding and interdisciplinary approach, IB is better. 

3. Which is the hardest IB subject?

Physics, Mathematics AA and ITGS are considered to be the hardest subjects based on the content and getting high scores. 

4. Which is the easiest IB subject?

Business Management, Economics and Psychology are considered to be the hardest subjects based on the content and getting high scores. 

5. Can IB students write NEET?

Yes, there is no bar for IB students to write the NEET exam.