Better pre-IB decisions
Students understand which choices keep options open and which choices quietly close them.
Plan your Diploma
Choose Your IB Subjects
Build a realistic IB subject combination before you start the Diploma, with clear tradeoffs around workload, prerequisites, and future options.
Compare subject choices for up to three possible degrees.
Choose Math AA or AI, your language route, and the HL/SL courses your school offers.
Compare three subject combinations with clear reasons and workload warnings.
Lock or swap subjects, save your choices, and download a PDF to discuss with your school.
Make subject choice feel like a decision, not a guess
Pre-IB students are often asked to choose subjects before they fully understand university prerequisites, HL workload, or how quickly an interesting subject can become heavy.
Answer the questions a counsellor would usually ask, then compare combinations that follow IB rules and use subjects your school actually offers.
More useful counselling conversations
The output gives students and parents a concrete plan to discuss with coordinators.
Useful before the Diploma starts
Use Marksy before you begin writing IAs or studying the full syllabus.
How to choose your subjects
Start with what you have now. Each step shows what to do and what you will see next.
Step 1
Answer the questions that actually change the choice
Students rank possible degree pathways, choose target countries, record demonstrated strengths, set mathematics/language preferences, and describe school availability separately for HL and SL.
What you get: Get suggestions that use your real choices, strengths, and school limits.
Answer practical questions about goals, strengths, location, and what your school offers.
Step 2
Compare realistic HL and SL combinations
Marksy gives you three valid six-subject choices with HL/SL labels, reasons, and workload warnings.
What you get: Compare a degree-focused choice, a flexible choice, and a choice that protects your overall score.
Compare recommended HL/SL combinations with fit scores and workload labels.
Step 3
Check the warnings before locking choices
See missing prerequisites, check example university requirements, and lock subjects before trying another combination.
What you get: Leave with a shortlist and a clear list of requirements to confirm.
See prerequisite risks and the exact checks to make before locking choices in.
Why it helps
Better pre-IB decisions
Students understand which choices keep options open and which choices quietly close them.
- Clearer HL/SL tradeoffs
- Less panic about Math AA vs AI
- Earlier awareness of medicine, engineering, and economics prerequisites
More useful counselling conversations
The output gives students and parents a concrete plan to discuss with coordinators.
- School limits are visible
- Risk points are named
- Next checks are explicit
Useful before the Diploma starts
Use Marksy before you begin writing IAs or studying the full syllabus.
- Helpful before assessment tools are needed
- Continue to coursework guides and online textbooks
- Useful for MYP, GCSE, and IGCSE students choosing the IB
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this official admissions advice?
No. It is planning guidance that helps students understand likely risks and tradeoffs. Final requirements must be checked with school counsellors, IB coordinators, and university course pages.
Can undecided students use it?
Yes. The picker includes a flexible option and an option aimed at protecting your overall score if you want to keep several degree choices open.
Does it handle school availability?
Yes. Students can mark subjects their school does not offer, and the picker adapts the recommendation with fallback warnings.
Ready to try it?
The right IB combination is not the hardest one. It is the one that protects future options while giving the student a real chance to perform well.
Use the tool when you need it, then come back to your own work with a clear next step.