this is the fuckin hardest subject in the history of schools!!!
you must be a genius to get a good grade in it...
DAMN
I don't understand shit in it and I'm moving to SL........
does anyone of you take it?

Haha...I take it. It sucks. It's not too bad, but you have to be able to teach yourself a lot. However, I do IB diploma and I'm often overwhelmed by work so that I don't have the time to always do the self-studying.

Did you just start the course? Or are you already a year into it?

I just started.
This is my second week in Maths HL, and I'll probably change to SL.
We did the binomial theroem thing and I didn't understand shit.

Really? Wait it out for a bit more, there is a lot easier stuff when you get to statistics..I aced those tests. If not, then switch later on once you really get a feel for the class and can really say that it's not for you

The problem I only got like 2 days left and then I MUST make a final decision on whether to stay or not.
So compared to the other topics, is the Binomial Theroem hard or easy?? And how did you do in it??

To me, binomial theorem wasn't as hard as some of the other stuff. This is probably because I had done the binomial theorem in previous years. Even when I did it in my IB Math HL 1st year, I didn't do it within the first couple of weeks of school like you did so by the time I had done it, I was already used to self-studying. Some of the stuff is harder, some is easier. In the beginning I struggled, too, but it eventually got better. Part of the problem was that I have a lousy teacher--hopefuly yours isn't anything like mine or you'll ALWAYS have to be teaching yourself the material. As I said, I didn't do well in the beginning of the course, but by the time second semester came I was pulling 98% (that was at my highest point in the class) and it slipped a bit but it was still a good grade I suppose for Math HL.

Do you have a big class? You could always do some sort of study group becuase that tends to help. And what other courses are you taking, are you doing the full diploma?

I took my IB Mathematics SL exam last year. It was a very doable course, and I learned a lot. I got a 6 out of 7. Was really happy. That class was one of my favorites, even though I really dislike Math. I just do Math because I have to .

They don't offer Mathematics HL at my school, because of how hard everyone deems it to be. I haven't seen the coursework so I have no idea. It must extend into areas of BC Calculus. SL only goes pretty much into AB Calculus, with integration, differentiation, and other crap being covered, but not as rigorously as in BC Calc.

Do what you deem best. Will you be able to take out time from your schedule to devote to your math class as needed? Just make sure you do what you think is right. Because, if you do/don't change, then your stuck as is.

I doubt that my teacher is better than yours.
He can't explain properly.
98% in Maths HL is amazing man!
We hav 12 people in the class, 12 different nationailities . The whole world is represented in our Math class .
So what topic did you start your course with?? And were you thinking of dropping to SL like me??

Yes I am doing te full IB Diploma.
Currently thse are my subjects:
Maths HL
Business Studies HL
Chemistry HL
Arabic A1 SL
English A2 SL
Biology SL

If I drop to Math SL then I'll take English HL.



How was the Binomial Theroem in Math SL ?

Haha, I admit, for me, Binomial Theorem took a while to understand. There is just something about it which is wierd. But I understand it now. Trust me, stick to it and you will understand it. If not, seek assistance from a friend. Once you master it, you will understand a lot.

I doubt the info provided on the theorem differs between SL and HL, lmao. But yeah, don't worry. I promise you will eventually get it.

Also, a suggestion. Go to your teacher, and voice your concerns about the class. Ask him his opinion, whether or not you should stay or drop the class. I'm sure he will try and guide you to a right decision.

I went to the teacher and he told me you can cope with Maths HL. I got A on my IGCSE Maths thats why.
And by the way I think, I think I understand the binomia theroem now. I hope I do. He tells me that Math Sl is not easier, it's just less work. What do you think?

He's probably right. If you did so well on that exam, you should do well in Mathematics HL. I would've taken HL if I was offered it. SL is less work, but only because you study less material. However, I hold the belief that once you learn the intricacies of a subject matter, the more you know, the easier it is to understand the subject. So, if you get the broad view in SL, then HL gives you the detailed look, allowing you to understand more. It may mean more work, but it will pay off in the end.

Is it true that for universities, 4 in Maths HL is better than 7 in Maths SL?
The Math SL teacher in my school told me that.

Hmmm. I'm actually not sure.

I'm sure a lower grade in the harder Mathematics HL would be better than an average grade in Mathematics SL. However, I don't think its so dramatic. I think a 5 or 6 in Math HL would weigh more than a 6 or 7 in Math SL. But, these numbers only account for credit to get out of taking courses in college, i.e. introductory calculus.

Once colleges see you are taking such a rigourous course, and your challening yourself, they will look highly at your application to college. You are expected to perform, because you chose the course. But once you make the effort, colleges will see that, and commend you for it.

Oh great to see another people on SP are in the world's worst educational program--the IB.

1. My 98% didn't last haha I got really sick towards the end of the semester and my teacher did not bother to take that into consideration. For example, I was out of class because I was nauseous and only finished a fraction of the test. She gave me 25% even though I was not physically THERE to finish it. Jerk.

2. I highly doubt your teacher is worse than mine. That would be impossible haha.

3. When I started out in Math HL, there were maybe 12 kids in the class. I have one year left of the course and when I start school in September, it will be me and two others. Haha, all different nationalities too So many people dropped it, but I never did. Sometimes I feel like I should drop but I still do better than other kids in the class so I think I'll stick it out.

4. When I started the course last semester, I remember doing something with partial fractions or some crap like that haha it was lame.

5. Someone who dropped from Math HL did what you're thinking of--switching from English SL to HL. That would be an easy move because English HL is really really easy.

Oh, just if you're curious, my classes are:
HL English
HL Math
HL Chemistry
HL Biology
SL French B
SL Philosophy
SL Business Management

I know I'm taking more than I need to (especially HLs) but in case I don't feel as though I did so well on one exam, I want to have the option of not counting that on my diploma and replacing it with another one.

6. Ali baba, did you graduate this year? Where will you be heading to for university? Also, how did you do on your overall diploma?

Oh, and yes, IB Math HL is like AP Calc BC (many people say IB Math HL is harder though...) and IB Math Methods SL can be compared to AP Calc AP. Do they offer IB Math Studies? It's SO freaking easy. I have friends in that class and this year they've been doing crap like basic geometry and y-intercept and linear graphs. In fact, it's so easy that it shouldn't even be considered IB haha.


Also, I talked to an admissions officer from Johns Hopkins University (very prestigious school for those of you who don't know) and she said that the difference between a 6 and a 7 is like the difference between an A and an A+, so it doesn't really matter a whole lot.


I don't think I mentioned that I hate IB...a lot.

Hala Madrid what are you planning to study in university?
Because you study five of the subjects that I study.
By the way I have to decide by tomorrow whether to stay or not in Maths HL, and I've not decided yet !
Too confusing

I plan on going into medicine or dentistry. I was very intent on going into medicine and becoming a surgeon until IB Biology hit me...ahhhhhhh yeah that screwed up all my plans. IB in general did; it's making me not want to do anything biology or very science-related (I know dentistry is too, but I just like it better).

It depends what you want to do in the future when deciding whether or not to switch. If you want to go to a top university for engineering, you'd probably want to stick with Math HL. What do you want to major in and what are the schools you are looking at? If you're looking at European or Canadian schools they may be more picky with the classes you take in IB. American schools, however, are not quite as picky (correct me if I'm wrong...)

When I made my IB choices, I made them based upon the fact that I will go into medicine (or dentistry etc) or business. I know I don't need Maths HL but its sounds good . Especially if I get a good grade in it.
Oh and about biology, is it hard?
I find it so boring

I am in my last year of the diploma programme. My courses are as follows:


1st Year (Last Year)
IB Mathematics SL (It started in 10th Grade, tested in 11th) Score was a 6
IB Biology SL - 6
IB History of the America
IB Chemistry HL
German Level 7
IB English Language HL

2nd Year (Currently Taking)
IB Chemistry HL
IB Contemporary World History (History is HL, including my history class last year)
IB German SL
IB English Language HL
IB Theory of Knowledge
and AP BC Calc

I am currently applying for college now. I really like molecular biology/genetics/brain and cognitive sciences. I am looking at schools like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, UPenn, UCLA, University of Florida, NYU. It would be a dream to go to any of those. I plant to move on to medicine after undergraduate study, so biology is really fitting.

I love biology as it applies to the human body, i'm not really fond of ecology. I thought biology was easy, easy concepts to understand. I got a 6, so it seems like I understood the coursework. For some reason this year, IB did not award one 7 to anyone in the school for the Bio exam. My teacher predicted I would get a 7 along with two other ppl, but no one got a 7. Oh well, I think these universities, once they see you've completed your diploma will see that you are taking rigorous courses and that you are performing well in those courses.

Oh and MATH STUDIES IS CAKE! LMAO.

The subjects you listed are confusing now .
Why did you take Math Studies? It's useless.

No, I took IB Mathematics (IB Math Methods SL - its the same thing, new name). I am just saying that, my many friends who took IB Math Studies said it was cake. I took Math Methods, got a 6.

Oh ok.
Well 6 is great in Maths SL.
I wish I can get the same in Maths HL .

Haha...I'm sure you can. you seem like a smart person. It'll work out man.

I don't do the IB, but at my school we have higher level maths than IB HL. I do Mathamatics Specialised which is a much harder course than IB Maths higher level. I have sat in on a few IB maths HL classes when our teacher has been away and I find quite easy really.

Thanks for giving me hope...

when i was in grade 11 i did math SL, then I change to math HL in grade 12

i get 5/7 after killing studies

i regret taking it, i worked so hard and yet still dissapointed. at least i passed, but it doesnt pay back the amount of hard work i put in it

so unless ur doing engineering dont TAKE IT!