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Hey guys, I'm starting IBDP next term.

The subjects I'm sure of taking are English A HL, Indonesian A1 SL, History SL.

Here's the thing. I'm very conflicted about my future major, so I absolutely have no clue whether to take BNM/Econs, maths or physics in SL or HL level.

I'm an okay student in all those subjects. I'm currently doing IGCSE and for mocks I scored:

A*(90) in maths,

B(75) in physics and

B (70) in economics.

B sounds very average but my econs and physics scores were probably third best in my class. Only 1 kid got 80 in physics. I don't think any got an A in econs. My teacher is pretty strict about markings.

 

My dad majored in electrical engineering but he now works as an importer for electrical components. He wants me to major in business. I feel like I need a pretty solid foundation in physics so that I'd know something about his company once I work there, esp if I don't study engineering in uni. Which is why I'm not opposed to studying phsyics HL. Physics interests me though I'm not super good at it.

 

I've also heard that in the UK they think BnM is a soft subject. They prefer applicants who studied econs and Maths HL. I kinda doubt I'll be studying there, but just in case.

 

I know my situation is pretty much a mess which is why I'm asking for help.

 

Is it better if I take

BNM/Econ HL, Physics HL, Maths SL or

BNM/Econ HL, Physics SL, Maths HL or

BNM/Econ SL, Physics HL, Maths HL

 

Thanks!!

Edited by kezia.v
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I would go for option 2. Since you are interested in physics but not too good at it, SL seems best. I would also recommend you take Economics instead of BMN because of reasons you already seem to know plus you can take business in uni as well so no need to take it now. I am not sure if math HL is needed for what you are going to pursue but it would be a nice addition. If you don't want to take math HL I would recommend option 1. Option 3 is a clear no-no. Also ask yourself if YOU really want to major in business. If you are planning on engineering (or you get bored with business) then I would say you drop history and take chemistry and I strongly recommend you do this because I see no way in which history is going to help you. Keep your options open by taking chemistry.

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In either way, Economics is better than Business & Management; should you change your mind in the future and decide to study abroad, you'll have it easier this way. 

 

Actually, what I would suggest to you is to take all three as HL (plus English). Your school would probably let you drop one subject in the first month or so, and it's incredible how fast you understand which subjects you're liking and are better at once you actually start the IB. Even if you can't decide then, you have to drop your fourth HL at the start of the second year, which means more work in IB1 but also gives you an advantage at the exams since you've spent more time with the subject.

 

If you definitely don't want (or can't) take four HLs, consider these three subjects very carefully. Math HL is incredibly complicated and meant for people who are enthusiastic about and good at Math, and even then it's not easy to grasp the content. Math SL more than sufficient for most things. Chem, Math & Physics HL are called the 'killer combo' of the IB, so taking two of them as HL isn't going to be easy, but if you like science, you'll manage. I honestly don't know anything about Economics, but if you want to study business/are interested in business, pick that as HL. It's a very popular subject––there's probably a reason behind that.

 

And please consider your own interests. IB narrows your options severely, so you should be quite certain about your subjects. If your parents want you to pick a major that's known for being popular in the job market, you're managing in sciences but you'd read a WWI non-fiction book instead of making stuff blow up (or whatever people do in Physics)––take History HL, Physics/Math as HL and English HL. (Or whatever subject you like a lot.) Your parents aren't the ones who are going to have to study for the next 6+ years, so they don't get to decide. Do what feels right for you.

 

One last thing to consider: ask around in your school about the teachers. If your Physics teacher is useless but everyone gets good results from Math exams, pick Math. Teachers are very important: try to get as many good ones as you can. If I can help you with anything else, send me a message, cause I could ramble on for thousands of words about this but I'll try not make this post any longer. :) Good luck!

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In either way, Economics is better than Business & Management; should you change your mind in the future and decide to study abroad, you'll have it easier this way. 

 

Actually, what I would suggest to you is to take all three as HL (plus English). Your school would probably let you drop one subject in the first month or so, and it's incredible how fast you understand which subjects you're liking and are better at once you actually start the IB. Even if you can't decide then, you have to drop your fourth HL at the start of the second year, which means more work in IB1 but also gives you an advantage at the exams since you've spent more time with the subject.

 

If you definitely don't want (or can't) take four HLs, consider these three subjects very carefully. Math HL is incredibly complicated and meant for people who are enthusiastic about and good at Math, and even then it's not easy to grasp the content. Math SL more than sufficient for most things. Chem, Math & Physics HL are called the 'killer combo' of the IB, so taking two of them as HL isn't going to be easy, but if you like science, you'll manage. I honestly don't know anything about Economics, but if you want to study business/are interested in business, pick that as HL. It's a very popular subject––there's probably a reason behind that.

 

And please consider your own interests. IB narrows your options severely, so you should be quite certain about your subjects. If your parents want you to pick a major that's known for being popular in the job market, you're managing in sciences but you'd read a WWI non-fiction book instead of making stuff blow up (or whatever people do in Physics)––take History HL, Physics/Math as HL and English HL. (Or whatever subject you like a lot.) Your parents aren't the ones who are going to have to study for the next 6+ years, so they don't get to decide. Do what feels right for you.

 

One last thing to consider: ask around in your school about the teachers. If your Physics teacher is useless but everyone gets good results from Math exams, pick Math. Teachers are very important: try to get as many good ones as you can. If I can help you with anything else, send me a message, cause I could ramble on for thousands of words about this but I'll try not make this post any longer. :) Good luck!

Thanks a lot for your help :) I owe you!

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I would go for option 2. Since you are interested in physics but not too good at it, SL seems best. I would also recommend you take Economics instead of BMN because of reasons you already seem to know plus you can take business in uni as well so no need to take it now. I am not sure if math HL is needed for what you are going to pursue but it would be a nice addition. If you don't want to take math HL I would recommend option 1. Option 3 is a clear no-no. Also ask yourself if YOU really want to major in business. If you are planning on engineering (or you get bored with business) then I would say you drop history and take chemistry and I strongly recommend you do this because I see no way in which history is going to help you. Keep your options open by taking chemistry.

I actually dropped chemistry for IGCSE because I didn't feel that confident about doing it. I used to get Bs max. Do you have any idea if chem SL is easier than chem IGCSE? I know it sounds silly coz IB is supposed to be harder but I've heard people saying that IGCSE econs is easier than econs SL. Thanks btw!! :)

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Look, in my opinion, if you major in business, I would take Econ, Business and Math HL. Well, math can be SL, unless your definitely going to the UK, and only want to get into the best colleges.

That said, if you want to do engineering, you should take Chem. Physics, Chem, Math are necessary. And  would suggest Physics, Math HL, Chem SL. Or if you are a genius, and really hard working, all three HLs, but that is really hard.

Out of the options you've given, I would take Option 2. Option 3 is out because you need Econ or BNM for Business. Option 1 may restrict you in engineering. Probably a guarantee to be very honest.

Hope this helps

King112

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Look, in my opinion, if you major in business, I would take Econ, Business and Math HL. Well, math can be SL, unless your definitely going to the UK, and only want to get into the best colleges.

That said, if you want to do engineering, you should take Chem. Physics, Chem, Math are necessary. And  would suggest Physics, Math HL, Chem SL. Or if you are a genius, and really hard working, all three HLs, but that is really hard.

Out of the options you've given, I would take Option 2. Option 3 is out because you need Econ or BNM for Business. Option 1 may restrict you in engineering. Probably a guarantee to be very honest.

Hope this helps

King112

Yep, thanks very much! I'll think about it :)

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I would go for option 2. Since you are interested in physics but not too good at it, SL seems best. I would also recommend you take Economics instead of BMN because of reasons you already seem to know plus you can take business in uni as well so no need to take it now. I am not sure if math HL is needed for what you are going to pursue but it would be a nice addition. If you don't want to take math HL I would recommend option 1. Option 3 is a clear no-no. Also ask yourself if YOU really want to major in business. If you are planning on engineering (or you get bored with business) then I would say you drop history and take chemistry and I strongly recommend you do this because I see no way in which history is going to help you. Keep your options open by taking chemistry.

I actually dropped chemistry for IGCSE because I didn't feel that confident about doing it. I used to get Bs max. Do you have any idea if chem SL is easier than chem IGCSE? I know it sounds silly coz IB is supposed to be harder but I've heard people saying that IGCSE econs is easier than econs SL. Thanks btw!! :)

I'm not in ib (not in IGCSE either) yet so I can't say for sure. But I think it will definitely be harder especially if you dropped chem. Ib chemistry (and other 11/12 grade chem) as such will be based on basic concepts learnt in previous classes. There will be more depth into topics already learnt in previous classes. Additionally there may be new topics as well. So if you don't have the basic knowledge of topics it will be a very risky step taking chem in ib (and any other education system). However if you could brush up on those topics in the summer you could still take chem in ib and have a better chance at succeeding in it. I haven't the slightest clue about economics in both the system (and yet I am taking economics for ib -.- ) .

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I would go for option 2. Since you are interested in physics but not too good at it, SL seems best. I would also recommend you take Economics instead of BMN because of reasons you already seem to know plus you can take business in uni as well so no need to take it now. I am not sure if math HL is needed for what you are going to pursue but it would be a nice addition. If you don't want to take math HL I would recommend option 1. Option 3 is a clear no-no. Also ask yourself if YOU really want to major in business. If you are planning on engineering (or you get bored with business) then I would say you drop history and take chemistry and I strongly recommend you do this because I see no way in which history is going to help you. Keep your options open by taking chemistry.

I actually dropped chemistry for IGCSE because I didn't feel that confident about doing it. I used to get Bs max. Do you have any idea if chem SL is easier than chem IGCSE? I know it sounds silly coz IB is supposed to be harder but I've heard people saying that IGCSE econs is easier than econs SL. Thanks btw!! :)

I'm not in ib (not in IGCSE either) yet so I can't say for sure. But I think it will definitely be harder especially if you dropped chem. Ib chemistry (and other 11/12 grade chem) as such will be based on basic concepts learnt in previous classes. There will be more depth into topics already learnt in previous classes. Additionally there may be new topics as well. So if you don't have the basic knowledge of topics it will be a very risky step taking chem in ib (and any other education system). However if you could brush up on those topics in the summer you could still take chem in ib and have a better chance at succeeding in it. I haven't the slightest clue about economics in both the system (and yet I am taking economics for ib -.- ) .

 

 

Actually, I only dropped Chem 6 months before the IGCSE exams. I learnt all the chapters in the syllabus except for maybe 1 or 2 so yeah :D but you're right, it'll be a good idea to brush up on it during the summer. Thanks btw :)

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