How to choose your subjects for the IB

How to choose your subjects for the IB

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Oct 16, 2025

Photo by: IB

The IB offers rigorous academic programs for its students with the aim of developing knowledge and mindset. The Diploma Program prepares students for university and beyond, which is why it is important to choose appropriate subjects for your IB journey. This is an important step that will shape your experience and results over those two years. Be sure to choose subjects you enjoy and that will leave a lasting impact on your future. The Program induction process is carried out in a more intentional way with 10th grade students (the year prior to the start of the Program or pre-IB) through motivational talks, discussions with former Program students, and academic performance monitoring.

 

1-     Prior to the interview: an online vocational interest test is conducted by the Autonomous University of Nuevo León in Mexico, to help you choose the subject (Economics, Psychology, or Visual Arts) that best suits your skills and aptitudes. It gives insight into your preferences, aspirations, and the type of environment you work best in. Answer honestly, based on your own abilities so that the results are consistent.

 

2-     Placement test in English: this test determines the skills and interests you have developed so far and, based on this, makes a recommendation about the type of English (A or B) that best suits you. If the results of the exam are not the level of English you were aiming for, there are ways to change this by taking a Saylor Academy pre-college English course and obtaining a certificate for 29 hours of study. This allows you to change your English level without any problems and demonstrates your commitment to taking the subjects you aspire to.

 

3-     “IB DAY”: This is the day when the program's teachers present the subjects that form part of the curriculum to students and their parents to give them a better understanding of these subjects, including content, assessment, fields of application, and professional development, among other topics. Current and former students of the program also participate in this event. It is the perfect time to clarify any doubts about the differences between subjects or the type of material that will be covered.

 

4-     IB Talk: At the end of the third assessment period, your academic results are evaluated, and an interview is conducted to determine which subjects you need to improve, if any, and to encourage you to continue maintaining your grades. You discuss any recommended subjects you might want to change, with time provided to make your final decision. If you feel unsure about which subjects truly match your interests, it’s best to get direct information from the subject teachers and from current students.

 

5-     School report: Subsequently, you will be informed by email of the school's recommendation regarding the subjects you should take. If the recommendation is accepted by you and your parents, they sign to indicate their acceptance. Every request is accepted because the school makes the recommendation, but the student decides which subjects to take. This email from the school is only a recommendation and you are not obliged to accept it. If you find a subject isn’t what you expected, it’s best to switch as soon as possible.

 

The IB is a time to experiment and take opportunities that may not be available in the future, such as researching an area of interest. But to make these decisions, it is important to think about yourself and what you want to experience during these two years, rather than trying to meet the expectations of others. During this stage, you are building a future where you must be prepared to seize opportunities. It is a time to learn, and don't be afraid to take on challenges, testing what you can do. The IB is a means, not an end, to become more organized, develop your communication skills, and be able to think big about what you want to achieve.

Ariela Pineda

Junior writer

Hi, I’m Ariela. I’m a junior at La Floresta and a writer for the school newsletter team. I believe that writing is a unique way for me to express myself to the public, and I find that it makes it easier to communicate something meaningful and interesting at the same time. Being part of the team opens many doors for me to explore different topics where I can grow creatively, both individually and as part of a group. I hope to continue learning and developing through this opportunity, and to share my knowledge and interests with the world in my own personal style.

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