What are the Easiest and Hardest IB Classes?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is a demanding curriculum that requires students to study six subjects across different disciplines. While some IB classes are manageable, others are known for their complexity, heavy workload, and low average grades.

Choosing the right subjects is crucial for academic success and university applications. This guide explores the hardest and easiest IB classes, ranking them based on content difficulty, assessment style, and student experiences. Of course, subject difficulty is ultimately subjective – what one student finds easy another may find challenging. But this guide should give you an indication of how challenging a class is to the ‘average’ student.

We’ll also provide insights on how to balance your IB subject choices to match your strengths and goals, helping you make informed decisions for a successful IB journey.

Understanding IB Subject Difficulty

The difficulty of an IB subject depends on several key factors, including the complexity of the content, workload, assessment style, and individual student strengths. While some students excel in essay-based subjects like History or English Literature, others may find problem-solving subjects like Mathematics or Physics more manageable.

Here are the main factors that influence how difficult an IB subject may feel:

Conceptual complexity

Subjects like Mathematics and Physics require abstract thinking and problem-solving skills, making them challenging for many students.

Workload and content volume

Subjects with extensive reading, memorisation, and coursework, such as History or Biology, require strong time management skills.

Exam structure

Some subjects rely on extended essays, oral exams, or practical work, while others focus on structured, objective questions. Essay-heavy subjects tend to be harder for students who struggle with writing.

Subjective vs. objective grading

Subjects like English Literature, Visual Arts, and History have more subjective grading criteria, making it harder to achieve top marks. In contrast, subjects like Mathematics and Sciences follow clear right-or-wrong marking schemes.

Understanding these factors can help students select subjects that align with their strengths and academic goals. In the next section, we’ll explore the hardest IB subjects based on these criteria.

Top 5 Hardest IB Classes

Some IB subjects are known for their challenging content, demanding assessments, and historically low average grades.

Below are five of the hardest IB classes based on workload, complexity, and student feedback.

Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches (AA) HL

This course is the most challenging IB mathematics option, focusing on advanced algebra, calculus, and mathematical proofs. It requires strong problem-solving skills and abstract reasoning, making it difficult for students who struggle with theoretical maths.

Physics HL

Physics HL combines complex mathematical calculations with abstract scientific concepts. It includes challenging topics like mechanics, electricity, quantum physics, and thermodynamics. Success in this subject requires a solid grasp of both mathematics and theoretical physics.

History HL

This subject involves extensive reading, critical analysis of historical events, and in-depth essay writing. Students must memorise key dates, analyse primary and secondary sources, and construct well-argued responses under exam conditions.

English Literature HL

English Literature HL demands deep literary analysis, critical thinking, and strong writing skills. Students must interpret complex texts from different time periods and cultural backgrounds while constructing insightful essays under timed conditions.

Chemistry HL

Chemistry HL involves a heavy workload, requiring both theoretical understanding and practical lab work. The subject covers complex topics such as organic chemistry, thermodynamics, and stoichiometry, making it one of the hardest IB sciences.

Top 5 Easiest IB Classes

While all IB subjects require dedication and effort, some are generally considered more manageable due to structured content, lower workload, or more straightforward assessments. These subjects often have higher average grades. Below are five subjects which are commonly considered among the easiest IB classes.

Business Management SL

This subject covers fundamental business concepts like marketing, finance, and operations. It has a structured syllabus with practical applications, which many students find easier to grasp compared to theory-heavy subjects like Economics or History.

Psychology SL

Psychology SL focuses on human behaviour, cognitive processes, and case studies. The syllabus is well-structured, and assessments involve straightforward essay responses rather than complex calculations or abstract reasoning.

Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) SL

As an interdisciplinary subject combining science and social studies, ESS is seen as one of the more accessible IB sciences. It requires less memorisation than Biology or Chemistry and focuses on sustainability and environmental issues.

Language B (Ab Initio) SL

Designed for beginners, Ab Initio language courses focus on basic grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills. The emphasis is on practical language use rather than literary analysis, making it easier than Language A courses.

Film SL

Film SL is coursework-heavy, allowing students to demonstrate creativity through practical projects rather than traditional exams. While some analysis is required, the subject is generally less demanding than other Group 6 arts subjects like Visual Arts.

IB Subject Difficulty by Group

The IB Diploma Programme requires students to select subjects from six different groups.

Below is a breakdown of the hardest and easiest subjects in each IB group.

Group 1: Studies in Language & Literature

  • Hardest: English Literature HL – Requires deep literary analysis, critical essays, and interpretation of complex texts. The subjective grading makes it difficult to score top marks.
  • Easiest: Language & Literature SL – Less emphasis on literary criticism, with a focus on media and communication studies. The assessments are more structured and predictable.

Group 2: Language Acquisition

  • Hardest: Language B HL (e.g., Mandarin, Arabic, or French) – Requires fluency in reading, writing, and speaking, along with complex grammar and vocabulary.
  • Easiest: Ab Initio SL – Designed for beginners, focusing on practical communication rather than deep literary analysis or fluency.

Group 3: Individuals & Societies

  • Hardest: History HL – Heavy reading load, extensive essay writing, and in-depth source analysis. Requires memorisation of historical events and critical argumentation.
  • Easiest: Business Management SL – Covers introductory business concepts with clear practical applications. The syllabus is straightforward, and exams rely on case studies rather than extensive essays.

Group 4: Sciences

  • Hardest: Physics HL – Requires strong mathematical skills and abstract reasoning. The concepts are complex, and problem-solving is highly analytical.
  • Easiest: Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) SL – A mix of social and environmental science, with a focus on sustainability. Less memorisation and mathematical application than traditional sciences.

Group 5: Mathematics

  • Hardest: Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches (AA) HL – Requires a strong foundation in algebra, calculus, and mathematical proofs. The abstract problem-solving makes it one of the toughest IB subjects.
  • Easiest: Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation (AI) SL – More applied and statistics-based, focusing on problem-solving rather than pure theoretical mathematics.

Group 6: The Arts

  • Hardest: Visual Arts HL – Requires extensive coursework, technical artistic skills, and a detailed research portfolio. Subjective grading makes it challenging to achieve high marks.
  • Easiest: Film SL – Coursework-heavy with a focus on creative projects rather than traditional written exams. The grading is usually considered more lenient compared to other arts subjects.

How to Choose the Right IB Classes for You

Selecting the right IB subjects is crucial for academic success, university applications, and managing your workload. While some students thrive with academically demanding subjects, others may prefer a more balanced approach that aligns with their strengths and future goals. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing your IB subjects.

1. Consider Your Strengths and Interests

  • Choose subjects that match your natural abilities. If you enjoy problem-solving, taking Mathematics or Physics at HL may be a good fit. If you prefer writing and analysis, studying subjects like History or English Literature at HL might suit you better.
  • Enjoyment matters—students tend to perform better in subjects they are genuinely interested in.

2. Check University Requirements

  • Certain degree programmes have specific IB subject prerequisites. For example:
    • Medicine requires HL Chemistry and often HL Biology.
    • Engineering typically requires HL Mathematics and HL Physics.
    • Business and Economics degrees may prefer HL Mathematics and HL Economics.
  • Research university course requirements early to ensure your subject choices keep doors open.

3. Balance Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) Subjects

  • HL subjects are more demanding, so avoid taking too many challenging ones unless necessary for your university plans.
  • A good balance might be:
    • Two HL subjects you excel in and one moderately difficult HL.
    • Three SL subjects that complement your strengths and lighten your workload.

4. Think About Workload and Exam Style

  • Some subjects, like History HL and English Literature HL, require extensive reading and essay writing, which can be time-consuming.
  • Others, like Physics HL and Mathematics AA HL, involve problem-solving and mathematical reasoning, which require consistent practice.
  • If you struggle with timed exams, consider coursework-heavy subjects like Visual Arts or Business Management, which rely more on internal assessments.

5. Seek Advice from Teachers and Past Students

  • Talk to your teachers to get insights into course difficulty and expectations.
  • Ask past IB students about their experiences with specific subjects, workload, and exam challenges.

Choosing the right mix of IB subjects can help you succeed academically while keeping your stress levels manageable.

Get Help with the IB

If you’re struggling with your IB classes, getting the 1-1 support of an experienced IB tutor can make all the difference. Unlike in group lessons, a tuition session will move at your own pace, taking longer over the areas you find challenging and speeding through the things that come naturally to you. This means that you learn more effectively and productively.

Our IB tutors have years of experience and are specialists in the International Baccalaureate curriculum. They all have a proven track record of helping students achieve top grades in the IB.

If you’re interested in working with a tutor, book a free tutoring consultation today. We’ll discuss your needs and requirements, and personally match you with a tutor who fits your learning preferences and academic goals.

Book a Free IB Tutoring Consultation

To find out how Dukes Plus can assist with your IB preparation, book a free tutoring consultation today.

FAQs

Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches (AA) HL is often considered the hardest due to its abstract mathematical concepts and problem-solving requirements. Other challenging subjects include Physics HL, History HL, and English Literature HL. It is important to note, though, that difficulty all depends on the individual student’s strengths.

Business Management SL is frequently regarded as one of the easiest IB subjects due to its structured syllabus and real-world applications. Other relatively manageable subjects include Psychology SL, Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) SL, and Film SL.

Again, this is subjective and depends on your strengths as a learner. IB requires students to take six subjects across multiple disciplines, while A-Levels allow for greater specialisation. IB’s broad curriculum, including Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), do make it more demanding for many students, though.

Choose a mix of subjects that align with your strengths and interests. Avoid taking too many heavy workload subjects at HL unless required for your university goals. A balanced combination of two highly demanding HL subjects and one moderately challenging HL subject is often a good approach.

Most schools allow students to change IB subjects within the first few weeks of the programme. However, switching later in the year may be difficult, as coursework and assessments will have already begun. Always check with your IB coordinator before making changes.

Yes, especially for competitive degree programs. STEM courses typically require HL Mathematics and HL Sciences, while Law, Politics, and Journalism favour essay-based subjects like History HL and English Literature HL. Research university prerequisites early to ensure your subject choices align with admission requirements.

Identify the specific areas causing difficulty and seek extra support from teachers, classmates. Working 1-1 with an experienced IB tutor can often make a transformative difference if you struggle with a particular subject.

Each IB subject is graded on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest. To earn the IB Diploma, students must achieve at least 24 points across six subjects and meet core requirements, including TOK, CAS, and the Extended Essay.