Page "IB Group 4 subjects" Paragraph 1

Group 4 subjects follow roughly the same format.

Each subject has its Subject Specific Core ( SSC ), i. e., material taught at both the standard and higher levels.

Students sitting the Higher Level examination study the Additional Higher Level ( AHL ) material.

Lastly, there is a list of options for each subject from which two are chosen.

Higher Level students are sometimes unable to choose certain options that are available to Standard Level students because the AHL already covers it.

Ideally, students choose the options based on their own abilities and preferences, but in practice the options are usually chosen by the school ( based on the school's scientific facilities as well as the discretion of the instructor ).

Students spend one-quarter of the 150 hours of SL instruction ( 240 hours for HL ; however, both numbers are merely recommendations and are not enforced ) doing practical work in the laboratory.

Group 4 subjects at the Standard Level are tailored for students who do not see themselves in further science instruction after leaving the programme.