Jump to content

Math HL vs. Chemistry HL


allison12

Recommended Posts

At my school, History and English HLs are required, and for the third you pick from your elective (mine is Film), your science (Chemistry), or math. I had planned on doing the Film HL, because my chemistry teacher just started teaching IB curriculum, and I heard the Math HL is notoriously difficult. However, because of scheduling conflicts I can't do the Film HL, so has anyone done both Chemistry and Math HLs? If so, which one was easier? Thanks!

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've done neither, but it really depends on your strengths I think. Both are difficult from what I've heard. I've also heard that you have to really like math to take it at HL and/or if your uni requires it. If you're not too fond of math, I wouldn't recommend math HL. There's this kid at my school who's really smart and he walked out of the math HL exam saying: I knew nothing on that test. With chem HL, my teacher told me that you learn first year university content. 

Edited by ShootingStar16
Link to post
Share on other sites

Is History HL and English HL compulsory in your school? It just seems strange that your school selects the subjects for you and limit the students' choice.

 

I don't taken Chemistry at all for ib but I'm currently taking Maths HL. I think performance in Maths HL really depends on people. The exam questions are complex and sometimes it's confusing to use which formula/concept to solve a problem. However, I do think that doing a lot of practice helps.

 

I guess its up to your interest in the subject and past performance.

Hope this helped

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah it's a public school, so the number of teachers we can hire, and therefore the courses we can offer, are very limited. I've already taken AP Calculus AB, and I aced the exam. I've heard Calc BC is really similar to the Math HL, so I'm a lot more confident in that. My biggest concern is that my chemistry teacher is very nice, but has no idea how to prepare kids for IB level exams. My old math teacher, who transferred to a local college, is working really closely with our new teacher, so I'm hoping that helps. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

English and History HL mandatory?! How brutal... :D

I would never ever survive that kind of IB. Never.

 

I only have History HL and English HL at my school too :P (though I don't really mind)

Ouch...

Well, given that history has been weak subject for me forever and I have like zero interest on it and I almost got kicked out from school because of English... Nope, I wouldnt survive.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah it's a public school, so the number of teachers we can hire, and therefore the courses we can offer, are very limited. I've already taken AP Calculus AB, and I aced the exam. I've heard Calc BC is really similar to the Math HL, so I'm a lot more confident in that. My biggest concern is that my chemistry teacher is very nice, but has no idea how to prepare kids for IB level exams. My old math teacher, who transferred to a local college, is working really closely with our new teacher, so I'm hoping that helps. 

In that case, I think Maths HL wouldn't be huge difficulty for you. You would preferably want to take calculus for options since you might be able to apply a lot of your studies from AP.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Not from my personal experience, but it might help you out.

My friend, who is currently going into his 2nd year of IB is doing HL Chen, HL Maths, and HL English A. Out of the two he finds Chem HL harder - he's really good with numbers and he gets the concepts really easily. For chemistry he said there is more memorising, and despite chemistry also being very logical, he struggles with few concepts.

When I asked about revision and studying, he said that for maths you basically need to do the exercises you teacher gives you and a lot of past papers. Basically, practice will help you get a better grade.

With chemistry it's a bit trickier, as you need to understand the theory, remember a lot about certain elements, which at least for him means more work.

Overall I think it's up to the individual, as one may find chemistry easier, as they're not good at maths, where as others will find chemistry easier, as they might find some concepts hard to understand. My friend is managing the two, and at the end of IB1 he had a 7 in maths, and a 6 in chemistry.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thats quite a messed up system. Honestly though if you do not need maths HL for university I wouldn't go into it. I loved doing it, its challenging and quite a fun course, but its bloody impossible if you're not strong in maths. Chemistry HL is also a hard class, but i wouldn't put them on the same level exactly. To be honest I wouldn't go for either of them unless you are ready to put a lot of time and effort into them. But if I had to pick and I wasn't particularly strong in Either, I would go for chem. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have taken both HL Math and HL Chemistry. However the syllabus recently changed for chemistry.

 

 

Yeah it's a public school, so the number of teachers we can hire, and therefore the courses we can offer, are very limited. I've already taken AP Calculus AB, and I aced the exam. I've heard Calc BC is really similar to the Math HL, so I'm a lot more confident in that. My biggest concern is that my chemistry teacher is very nice, but has no idea how to prepare kids for IB level exams. My old math teacher, who transferred to a local college, is working really closely with our new teacher, so I'm hoping that helps. 

In that case, I think Maths HL wouldn't be huge difficulty for you. You would preferably want to take calculus for options since you might be able to apply a lot of your studies from AP.

 

No the calculus option is almost exclusively from BC Calc with some AB and some not covered in either. AB Calc basically covers Core HL Math but is tested in way differently styled questions. I don't do AP but I have looked at their syllabi and a friend does BC Calc.

HL Math is one of those subjects that you have to work really hard during the semester but last minute cramming is not gonna make much difference (it can only strengthen you to your best performances). To study for my paper I mainly did papers for Options and maybe three to four each of Paper 1 and Paper 2. 

I really think HL Chem is harder than HL Math. Well my chem teacher gives much less prep materials. If your chem teacher has no idea how to prep for IB then I would recommend to stay away. My chem teacher is one of the most experienced IB teacher at my school.

In Year 2, I worked on HL Math about 2 - 2.5 hours / weekday, 6-7 hours per weekend, and 7-12 hours of chem every week. For exam prep, I spent about 3 weeks prepping for chem alone and only 3-4 days on math outside of class and I got a higher grade in math than did in chem. A small part of this is that everyone's chem IA were marked down by 15-20% (6-8 marks). 
 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...