7 replies to this topic

[muffindance]

I'm currently in year 10, and seriously thinking about taking the IB for year 11 and 12. I live in Australia (bit of background) and want to do Medicine or Psychology at uni. I don't know which maths to take, and at my school they only offer SL and HL. From what I've been seeing around here, the difference isn't that great, but I still need help deciding as subject selections for next year are due soon. The science subjects that I'm taking are Physics and Chem.
This year in the IB MYP I'm doing Maths Studies Extension and am sitting on a 5. I have a fair amount of trouble with coordinate geometry but apart from that I'm going fine.

Any help? Could you tell me how the SL and HL correlate with Maths Apps, Methods, Studies (Extension) and Specialist maths?

Thanks

[Mahuta ♥]

I dont know much about MYP, but I do know that the differnce between Math SL and HL is not one you could neglect. Most Universities require Math SL for Medicine and Psychology as well ( not sure about the latter). Why go through the hassle of Math HL when you don't need it? You will almost definitely need chem HL and bio HL, I would suggest you take a language at HL and garuntee a 6 or a 7. Getting a 6 or a 7 in Math HL requires you to be math genius, so unless you are one, consider something that would garuntee you a good grade. Also remember that the total number of points matters, which explains why people may take a language they're fluent at, as language B.

Not sure I made a whole lot of sense there, but hope it was helpful.

[muffindance]

I'm doing chem HL, but the uni that I'm going to doesn't have pre-requisites for medicine, so I'm doing physics and chem but not bio. English HL top, and German SL even though I'm going on an exchange trip. I really enjoy maths when I get into it, and was thinking that I would try HL and drop down if needed? If you're allowed to do that that is.

I just don't know what the difference between HL and SL is...

Edited by muffindance, Jun 05, 2010 - 11:37.

[sweetnsimple786]

Generally, you're allowed to switch to SL. If you take Math HL, then it's your 3rd HL, right? So you'd have to switch one of the other courses to HL.
I had trouble with my B language. I don't think I could take it at HL, and I'm honestly not holding my breath for a 6 for English A1 HL.. I guess it depends on your ability and confidence and how much time you're determined to put in.

I'm doing Math Methods SL. I don't know what's all covered in HL, but I know it's a lot more calculus and analytical thinking.
I hate coordinate geometry!! There's not that much in SL, I didn't think. You have to understand how functions work, but it's not a big deal. Simple transformations. And you get into vectors, but you don't even have to understand it if you memorize it Doing physics helps with the vectors though =)

This thread is super helpful: http://www.ibsurviva...-which-to-take/

[The Economist]

I'm taking math HL and I can assure you that there is a difference between SL and HL.
HL is pretty demanding and unless you enjoy math a lot, I would not recommend it. From what I know, you don't need math HL in order to study medicine, so go for an easy 7.

The difference between SL and HL is noticeable mainly in IB2, but even in IB1 my HL class has covered three times the syllabus that the SL has.

If I were you, I'd go for SL. I need math HL for my future studies and apart from that I really enjoy it. This is the main reason why I chose it as one of my HL subjects. If you are aiming for the 42 (without EE & TOK), I'd say go for math SL, because it is quite hard to get a 7 at HL.

Good luck with the IB!

[JustFine]

I totally agree with above.
let me visualise u the difference between the levels:
since my school offers Maths Studies, those who are TOTALLY bored with maths, do not need it AT ALL or are pea-brained   are doing it(since u have to have any maths)
Studies is like a group of people who actually learn HOW to use GDC or "how does a quadratic function looks like?-i know! let's try plotting it with GDC!"
then SL is a continuation of most of regular schools maths on similar levels, especially if u were taking MYP(it's like the same organisation that runs it right?)
and finally HL.
it's like a Mount Olympus of maths Gods. really, these people do have double brain space, do not need sleep, nourish with coffee and my computers' processor is slower than the slowest one of them.

now being serious, to take medicine u only need SL. (plus if u'r thinking of chemistry HL, studies is not enough) and there's no extra points for HL when applying for medicine.
HL is for those who are going to NEED it for further studies, like Mathematics, Architecture, Physics, Economy, Engineering and so on. it's already on academic level in IB. So i strongly recommend SL. hope it helps

[muffindance]

JustFine, on Jun 13, 2010 - 01:08, said:

I totally agree with above.
let me visualise u the difference between the levels:
since my school offers Maths Studies, those who are TOTALLY bored with maths, do not need it AT ALL or are pea-brained   are doing it(since u have to have any maths)
Studies is like a group of people who actually learn HOW to use GDC or "how does a quadratic function looks like?-i know! let's try plotting it with GDC!"
then SL is a continuation of most of regular schools maths on similar levels, especially if u were taking MYP(it's like the same organisation that runs it right?)
and finally HL.
it's like a Mount Olympus of maths Gods. really, these people do have double brain space, do not need sleep, nourish with coffee and my computers' processor is slower than the slowest one of them.

now being serious, to take medicine u only need SL. (plus if u'r thinking of chemistry HL, studies is not enough) and there's no extra points for HL when applying for medicine.
HL is for those who are going to NEED it for further studies, like Mathematics, Architecture, Physics, Economy, Engineering and so on. it's already on academic level in IB. So i strongly recommend SL. hope it helps

Thanks everyone, I've decided on Maths SL, Chem HL, Psychology HL, English HL, Physics SL, and German SL

[Survival Robot]

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