10 replies to this topic

[gonengg]

I am currently in pre-IB and already chose my subjects, one of which is History HL. I do not have an interest in studying in a field related to history at uni but chose because I find history very interesting (although I have an equal interest at B&M too). From the people I know and what I heard is that History HL is very tough and challenging and is the hardest to get a 7 on.

Although the level and depth of analysis skills required in History is debatable, is history really as hard as it may sound, lets say harder than Business and Management?

Thanks!

[Procrastination]

I'm going to be either an economist or an aerospace engineer and I'm taking History HL right now despite it doesn't have anything to do with the latter. Why? It is just essential for everyday life! ... Plus, like you, I find it very interesting and I'm passionate about it. Please take this idea out of your mind: Everything you take in IB relates to your career prospects. Who said so? If you like History, take it! You won't regret it, you'll come to understand modern geopolitics and how the desicions of certain people in the past have shaped what the world is right now. There are a lot of skills that are required for IB History, such as analytical ones and being able to think objectively in certain topics, such as the Arab-Israeli conflict or the Fall of Communism. What I've come to understand is the following: Despite History is a challenging subject and yes, it is hard to get a 7 on it, the amount of knowledge you gain and the personal development you acquire goes beyond anything. Many times it depends on your teacher, and trust me, if you like History you'll be able to get a 7 with some effort. It is not that hard but if you are not good in memorising things, then it is probably not the right subject to choose. If you were to make a comparison between History and B&M, History is harder. The final desicion is up to you, what do you prefer? As I've came to understand is that despite the fact B&M is pretty structured and there are cool topics, it tends to become vague and superfluous

Edited by Procrastination, Nov 26, 2011 - 01:09.

[marauder7]

I guess both History and B&M will be hard at some point. I think the important thing is that you take the subject you are most interested in. I take HL History and I enjoy it (as much as someone can enjoy an IB subject). I personally think it is doable. I have been told that it is not that hard getting a 7 in History, it is harder to get sevens in subjects like Biology or Math.

[Procrastination]

marauder7, on Nov 28, 2011 - 23:26, said:

I guess both History and B&M will be hard at some point. I think the important thing is that you take the subject you are most interested in. I take HL History and I enjoy it (as much as someone can enjoy an IB subject). I personally think it is doable. I have been told that it is not that hard getting a 7 in History, it is harder to get sevens in subjects like Biology or Math.

Getting a 7 in History is waaaay harder than getting a 7 in Biology, just look at the statistics boy. IB History is not descriptive, is analytical, and that's what makes it hard. Besides Math HL , Physics HL & Chemistry HL, History is one of the hardest, and rather enjoyable subjects of the IB.

Edited by Procrastination, Nov 28, 2011 - 23:35.

[Sabs44]

Even though History HL is really tough to get a 7 in (2% of people get it?), the important thing is the difference between HL and SL. For History papers 1 and 2 are the same, with just an extra paper for the HL's. I think this makes History a good subject to take at HL, if you're taking it at all! I've heard B+M is an easier course, but not as well regarded by universities... guess it's up to what you want to do in the future!

[Fani]

I totally agree with Sabs44.
Besides that, it is extremely interesting!
I took History HL just because I want to study Politics and I was told that is a must for that subject. I never really liked history.
But after 3 months in the IB, I'm so in love with it!!!

Hard, takes a lot of time, but is awesome!
We are doing debates and long discussions, it has to do a lot with logic and sociology.

[Sabs44]

I completely agree with Fani about how interesting it is too! I love it... and I've also heard from some friends taking B+M that it involves a lot of boring concepts, which I don't find happens (too much) in History. So I vote History HL!

[Arrowhead]

History HL is a delight and people grossly overestimate its difficulty level. Yes, less people get 7s in History, but that's more because people just don't study History correctly or don't develop the correct essay writing skills in the IB. I don't blame students for that, I blame their teachers for not equipping them in the way they need to be.

Just FYI, B&M is not looked upon favourable by most Unis, if you take it at SL, it won't make any difference, but I would think twice about taking it at HL. I spoke to various representatives from Oxford and referred to the LSE prospectus when I was in the IB and they did state that Business Studies was included in their non-preferred subjects list and they would discount it if a prospective student had taken it as one of his/her main subjects (which for IB students translates to HL). I also spoke to a representative from UPenn and she told me that they would understand why a student takes B&M if they're interested, but they would wonder why B&M if an Economics course is available as well.

Also, if a student takes both B&M and Economics at HL because they want to be Business students at Uni, this adversely affects them at US Unis because it shows that they haven't much variety and diversity in their subject choices as compared to others (however this was the opinion of one Uni Rep, I'm sure some other admissions officers would speak differently).

My personal opinion, stick with History and don't be afraid of the challenge. If you're afraid of taking on a challenge, then perhaps you should rethink if the IB is really for you at all.

But if B&M is what you think you will find more interesting, then knowing the potential pitfalls, you should make that decision.

Best of luck,
Arrowhead.

Edited by Arrowhead, Dec 10, 2011 - 01:10.

[Sofia Piff Mango Karlsson]

Sabs44, on Dec 03, 2011 - 08:36, said:

Even though History HL is really tough to get a 7 in (2% of people get it?), the important thing is the difference between HL and SL. For History papers 1 and 2 are the same, with just an extra paper for the HL's. I think this makes History a good subject to take at HL, if you're taking it at all! I've heard B+M is an easier course, but not as well regarded by universities... guess it's up to what you want to do in the future!

Is there a big difference in workload between SL and HL? And is it much harder to get a 7 on HL than SL?

[Paulina Gc]

History HL is the most time consuming thing that was ever invented for IB
But I love it, I think that it is extremely interesting.
I mean, if you want to study Tony the Tiger and Ronald Mcdonald, be my guest. But I think Tsun Yat Sen, Lenin and Pancho Villa have more to teach though.

[FRdupuis]

I am in the first year of the DP program and I have asked myself this same question. Even though I have only had a small taste of what HL history is like I honestly think it is worth taking. Personally I find the topics is the course VERY interesting. If you have great writing skills, work hard and enjoy the content, you have the potential of getting a really good mark.