Is It Possible to Switch Group 6 Subjects Mid-IB Course?

RevisionDojo
5 min read

1. IB Standard Guidelines on Study Hours

According to RevisionDojo’s article "How Long Should I Revise for Each IB Subject?", IB students should aim for:

Given Group 6 is like any other subject, those targets apply equally.

2. Why Group 6 Requires Dedicated Time

Group 6 subjects include creative arts that often involve both practical work (e.g., performance, design, portfolio creation) and written reflection. RevisionDojo’s analysis in “Is Scoring a 7 in IB Group 6 Harder Than Other Groups?” explains how extended creative assessments demand consistent weekly investment, often outside class hours. revisiondojo.com

3. Recommended Weekly Allocation for Group 6

Based on level and typical IB workload:

LevelRevision Hours/WeekPractical/Portfolio WorkTotal Suggested TimeSL4–6 hours per week1–2 sessions (approx. 2 hours)~6–8 hours totalHL6–8 hours per week2–3 sessions (approx. 3–4 hours)~9–12 hours total

This aligns with weekly study models used across IB disciplines. For example, RevisionDojo’s curriculum breakdown shows IB students often spend 30–40 hours/week in total studies across HL, SL, EE, TOK, and CAS. revisiondojo.com+10revisiondojo.com+10revisiondojo.com+10revisiondojo.com+7revisiondojo.com+7revisiondojo.com+7revisiondojo.com

4. What Group 6 Work Involves Weekly

  • SL Arts: Update portfolio regularly, complete class coursework, and reflect on theory.
  • HL Arts: In addition to portfolio, produce extended written investigation (e.g. Visual Arts investigation workbook, Theory of Knowledge linkages).
    Both HL and SL often require creative rehearsal/practice, iterative feedback sessions, and reflection cycles.

HL typically means building larger bodies of work (e.g. more art pieces, deeper research)—which justify the higher recommended weekly time.

5. Benefits of Consistent Study Schedule

RevisionDojo’s “What’s a Realistic IB Study Plan for a 6 in Each Subject?” outlines that allotting consistent regular sessions per subject (e.g., art weekly blocks) helps avoid accumulation of deadlines, reduces burnout, and ensures steady progress. They recommend blocking 1–2 sessions weekly for portfolio and at least one session for written work. revisiondojo.com

6. FAQs

Q1: Can I reduce time if I’m skilled in the art?
Yes—if strong in execution or conceptualization. Still aim for the lower boundary (approx. 6 hours/week SL, 9 hours HL) to meet assessment criteria consistently.

Q2: What if my school assumes art classes count as full prep?
Class hours (3–5 per week) count toward total hours, but home-based creative work is essential. Use RevisionDojo time allocation as a guide to supplement class practice.

Q3: Should I treat Group 6 like other subjects during exams?
Yes—revise visuals or performance strategies, reflect on artists and context, and rehearse reflective statements. HL may require exam prep for oral or written tasks; allocate study time accordingly.

Q4: How does this compare to other HL subjects’ workload?
Similar—HL Group 6 subjects require comparable weekly hours to HL sciences or humanities, but distribution shifts toward practice vs reading or theory.

Q5: Is this sustainable alongside HL core and other subjects?
Yes—if workloads are balanced: total weekly IB time around 30–40 hours, with careful scheduling between HL, SL, EE, CAS, and Group 6. revisiondojo.com+12revisiondojo.com+12revisiondojo.com+12revisiondojo.com

Q6: How can RevisionDojo support time allocation for Group 6?
RevisionDojo offers study planners and portfolio trackers, customizable weekly schedules, prompts for written reflections, and time-management tools to structure your Group 6 study blocks effectively.

Conclusion

To manage IB Group 6 subjects successfully:

  • For SL Arts: plan 4–6 hours of revision + 2 hours practical/creative work per week (~6–8 h total).
  • For HL Arts: aim for 6–8 hours revision + 3–4 hours creative/portfolio time per week (~9–12 h total).

This approach helps maintain quality portfolio development, written investigation and prevents work overload. Integrate this into a full weekly schedule (total ~30–40 hours), ensuring harmony between all IB academic and creative commitments.

Plan Your IB Week with RevisionDojo

Need a weekly roadmap? Create a personalized IB routine, track hours per subject, and structure creative and written Group 6 sessions with RevisionDojo’s weekly planners, time-tracking tools, and portfolio templates. Visit RevisionDojo now to build your balanced, sustainable IB study schedule.

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