Choosing subjects in Grade 11 for the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is one of the most important academic decisions a student will make. Your IB subject combination not only shapes your learning experience over the next two years but also influences your university admissions and career options later on.
At Advika Institute of Education Pvt Ltd, we guide students through every step of their IB journey — from selecting subjects to preparing for assessments — ensuring they make choices that align with both their interests and goals.
The IB Diploma Programme offers a well-rounded curriculum across six subject groups. Students must choose one subject from each group, although substitutions are allowed in some cases.
Here’s what the groups include:
| Group | Subject Area | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Studies in Language and Literature | English A: Language & Literature, Hindi A, Self-Taught Language |
| Group 2 | Language Acquisition | French B, Spanish Ab Initio, Hindi B |
| Group 3 | Individuals and Societies | Economics, Psychology, Business Management, History |
| Group 4 | Sciences | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Systems and Societies |
| Group 5 | Mathematics | Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches (AA), Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation (AI) |
| Group 6 | The Arts | Visual Arts, Music, Theatre (or an extra subject from Group 3 or 4) |
Each subject can be taken at either:
Higher Level (HL) – 3 subjects
Standard Level (SL) – 3 subjects
This ensures a balance between academic depth and breadth.
Selecting the right IB subjects should be a strategic decision based on your interests, strengths, and future plans. Consider these factors:
Different university programs have specific subject prerequisites.
For example:
Engineering or Science → HL Physics, HL Math
Business or Economics → HL Economics, HL Math (AA preferred)
Medicine → HL Biology, HL Chemistry
Arts or Humanities → HL English, HL Psychology or History
Research your target universities’ requirements early — most universities list preferred IB subjects on their websites.
It’s important to choose subjects you genuinely enjoy. The IB curriculum is demanding, and passion for your subjects will help you stay motivated.
Ask yourself:
Do I enjoy analyzing literature or solving equations?
Do I prefer experiments or essay writing?
Which subjects have I consistently performed well in?
The IB is known for its rigor. To maintain balance:
Mix subjects that use different skills (e.g., combine quantitative and creative subjects).
Avoid taking too many essay-heavy or math-heavy subjects unless you are confident in handling the workload.
Apart from the six subjects, every IB student must complete three core components, which are essential for earning the diploma:
Extended Essay (EE) – A 4,000-word independent research paper.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – A course exploring critical thinking and the nature of knowledge.
CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) – Projects encouraging personal and social growth beyond academics.
These components develop essential university-level skills such as research, reflection, and creativity.
Here are a few popular IB subject combinations based on career interests:
HL Physics, HL Chemistry, HL Mathematics (AA)
SL English, SL Economics, SL Hindi
HL Economics, HL Business Management, HL Mathematics (AI or AA)
SL English, SL Language B, SL ESS
HL English, HL History or Psychology, HL Visual Arts or Theatre
SL Mathematics (AI), SL Language B, SL ESS
HL Computer Science, HL Mathematics (AA), HL Physics or Economics
SL English, SL ESS, SL Language B
Plan early: Start exploring subjects in Grade 10 to understand your strengths.
Consult advisors: Talk to teachers or academic counsellors before finalizing your choices.
Think long-term: Choose subjects that will keep multiple career paths open.
Maintain balance: Don’t overload on difficult HLs — it’s better to excel in balanced subjects than struggle with too many heavy ones.
The IB Diploma Programme encourages students to be curious, balanced, and reflective learners. Choosing the right IB subjects in Grade 11 is about aligning your interests, academic strengths, and future ambitions.
At Advika Institute of Education Pvt Ltd, our experienced educators and counsellors help students make confident, informed choices that set the foundation for success — both in the IB and beyond.
