Toughest IB Subjects: What International School Students Struggle With Most (And What Works)
If your child is in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), you’ve probably heard the sighs, dealt with the late nights, and witnessed the quiet “I don’t get it” moments that keep them up past their bedtime.
There is a clear pattern among IB students: certain subjects consistently cause more frustration, lower confidence, and unexpected drops in predicted grades. Particularly during key periods when strong performance is essential for university applications.
Whether your child is about to enroll in the IBDP, or you’re simply curious, here are the top three toughest subjects ranked:
1. IBDP English A: Language & Literature (HL)
Many parents assume English is an easy subject to take as their child speaks the language fluently at school. However, it is important to note that IBDP English A isn’t just about conversation. It requires students to both analyse literary texts, and interpret them.
Students struggle with:
Analyzing unseen texts under strict time limits.
Moving beyond simply stating “what happens” and on to “how and why writers create meaning”.
Writing comparative essays that feel original, not formulaic.
Why it’s hard: It can be difficult because it requires students to deeply analyze texts, understand literary techniques, compare different types of media, and write sophisticated essays under timed pressure. Many students also struggle with balancing creativity, critical thinking, and analytical skills needed for English.
2. IBDP Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches (HL)
Ask any IBDP coordinator and it’s likely that they will pinpoint AA HL as one of the toughest subjects, breaking the will of even the strongest student. Not because the actual maths is impossible, rather because IB questions are conceptually layered. Oftentimes demanding analytical skills on top of solving the equations.
Common struggles are:
Mastering proof by induction and complex number geometry.
Applying calculus to unfamiliar, real-world problem-solving questions.
Memorising a large number of formulas, as no formula booklet is provided in the exam.
Why it’s hard: This can be challenging because it involves knowledge of advanced algebra, calculus, proofs, and complex problem-solving that requires strong logical thinking, and deep conceptual understanding. Many students find the fast pace, heavy workload, and application of multiple concepts in a single question to be especially challenging.
3. IBDP Chemistry & Physics (HL)
In these subjects, it is common for students to misunderstand common terms.
Here’s the trap:
Explain ≠ Describe
Evaluate ≠ Discuss
Many students lose marks not because they do not know the content, but because they misinterpret command terms. For example, describe asks what happened, while explain asks why it happened. Similarly, discuss requires considering different perspectives, whereas evaluate requires weighing strengths and weaknesses before reaching a judgement.
Other challenges include:
Linking experimental design to uncertainties (Physics IA).
Memorizing organic chemistry mechanisms without seeing the bigger picture (Chemistry HL).
Time management: difficulty with allocating sufficient time for each question on Paper 2 (made up of long-response questions).
Why it’s hard: Unlike other curriculums such as APs or A-Levels, IBDP sciences require applying knowledge to unfamiliar scenarios that require critical thinking and strong analytical skills. This is where simply memorising answers fails.
How to best support your child in doing well:
Not sure what advice to give to best support your child? Here are some techniques that will help in yielding strong results :
IB English: Use the “Big 5 Framework” (audience, purpose, tone, structure, language) when approaching every unseen text. Practice Paper 1 under exam conditions to improve both analytical depth and time management. Read more on how to do well in IB English here.
IB Math AA: Firstly, identify exactly which prerequisite skills are missing. This could be time management issues, such as taking too long to factorise quadratics. Isolate the problem, and drill them into memory by practicing equation after equation. Once a topic is mastered, then and only then can your child move on to tackling IBDP-style problems. This builds muscle memory.
IB Sciences: Rewrite every past paper question using only the command terms. Make flashcards where the back is not the answer, but the structure of the answer (e.g. “Evaluate = claim + counterclaim + judgement”)
A Final Word
Struggling with IB does not mean a student lacks the ability to do well. More often, it means they need to be equipped with the right strategies, structure, and support for the way the IBDP assesses critical thinking and application skills. With early guidance and target practice, even the toughest IB subjects can become much more manageable.
