Junior Year IB Subjects .... PLEASE HELP !!

Pre-College Topics High School Life
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<p>Hi I am a junior currently enrolled in an international school in Asia. I just started taking the IB (International Baccalaureate) diploma course and am in the process of taking:</p>

<p>HL English
HL Math
HL Physics</p>

<p>SL Econ
SL Chem
SL Chi B</p>

<p>I got pretty stellar grades in IGCSE so I wasn't expecting that much trouble upon entering year 12 but little did I know what was to come next. I am struggling A LOT in Chem - which is odd, considering how I got straight A*s throughout IGCSE. It's partly due to teacher issues but also that (I think) it's such a huge jump from the materials discussed in the IGCSE syllabus. I've been getting low 60s and mid-to-high 50s in the last two topic tests (periodicity, atomic structure) but this week's was the worst. I got a really low 50 in the bonding test and it was also the test I studied the most for! Should I consider dropping Chem to something else?</p>

<p>The thing is I am really interested in Chem but the way my teacher teaches ... it's so bad I can't stand even seeing him around campus D: </p>

<p>I took IGCSE DT and got an A in it so I guess taking DT is an option however I just don't know about catching up the last half term's work. I find Bio rather bland and memory based and so would much rather not take bio. I'm interested in taking Env Eng in uni and am aiming for the top tier ones so ... Is Chemistry vital to take for engineering (esp if I am considering Oxbridge and Ivies)?</p>

<p>Would really really appreciate any type of help.. thanks in advance !</p>

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<p>I can only seriously answer your question about whether chemistry is vital for admission into Cambridge Engineering.</p>

<p>From their website:
Essential: A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics and Physics.
Highly desirable: a third mathematics/ science/technology A Level.</p>

<p>You’re strongly encouraged to study Further Mathematics. If it’s not available or you’ve recognised its desirability too late, we’d advise you to do as much additional pure maths and mechanics as possible, eg by taking stand–alone units or Further Mathematics AS/IB Standard Level or STEP Mathematics.</p>

<p>Please read: [Undergraduate</a> Courses](<a href=“http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/admissions/guide/requirements.html]Undergraduate”>http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/admissions/guide/requirements.html)</p>

<p>So no, you don’t need chemistry. </p>

<p>What you’re facing now is quite like what I faced last year. In the end, I stuck with chemistry but I had to work really hard for it. </p>

<p>The IB can be really hard at times so you do need to consider whether you want to or can put in those extra hours of work to get a good grade.</p>

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<p>how hard was completing chem ? what grade did you get ?
further maths isnt an option cause our school doesn’t offer it however i guess the STEP paper is an option. I’ve heard it’s horribly hard though.</p>

<p>Do you advise me to do the same (stick with chem) ? IF I can change to either DT or bio (need to consult with school) I am pretty sure I’d be getting higher grades … right now I’m around a 4 … should I risk changing ?</p>