Is Physics compulsory in every year of the MYP?

No, separate Physics is not compulsory in every MYP year. Students normally study the Sciences subject group, but their school may deliver it as Integrated Sciences rather than a dedicated Physics course. In earlier years, this combined approach often exposes students to ideas from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Years 4 and 5 can include greater subject-group flexibility, although the school decides how that flexibility is used. Always check your school's published course guide because local requirements may make Physics compulsory.

Can I drop Physics in MYP Year 4 or Year 5?

You may be able to avoid a separate Physics course, but this depends entirely on your school's available pathways. The IB permits some subject-group flexibility in Years 4 and 5, but it does not give individual students an automatic right to drop any course. Your school may require Physics because of local curriculum rules or because it teaches all sciences separately. Students pursuing the MYP certificate must still complete an appropriate Sciences assessment. Ask your coordinator what dropping Physics would mean for your timetable, certificate eligibility, and later subject options.

Does Integrated Sciences satisfy the MYP science requirement?

Yes, an appropriately designed Integrated Sciences course can satisfy the MYP Sciences subject-group requirement. Such a course combines concepts and skills from disciplines such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. It must still address the MYP Sciences aims, objectives, and assessment criteria. Integrated Sciences is also available as an MYP on-screen assessment option for schools participating in eAssessment. However, your school determines whether it offers this course or separate science subjects.

Do I need MYP Physics to study DP Physics later?

The IB does not set one universal MYP Physics prerequisite that applies to admission into every DP Physics class. Nevertheless, prior experience with mechanics, energy, waves, electricity, graphs, and scientific investigations can make the transition easier. Individual schools may establish their own entry recommendations based on Mathematics results, science achievement, or previous Physics study. A strong Integrated Sciences course may also provide relevant preparation if it includes sufficient physical science. Check the entry policy at the school where you expect to take the Diploma Programme before finalizing your MYP choices.

Is MYP Physics harder than Biology or Chemistry?

There is no universally hardest MYP science because difficulty depends on your strengths, teaching context, and assessment tasks. Physics often feels demanding to students who are less confident with equations, graphs, units, and abstract models. Biology may involve more terminology and interconnected processes, while Chemistry combines conceptual models with calculations and practical work. All MYP sciences also assess investigation design, data processing, evaluation, and reflection on scientific impacts. Choose according to your interests and future plans rather than assuming one science is automatically easier.

What should I do if my school says MYP Physics is compulsory?

First, ask whether the requirement comes from the school's own curriculum, local education regulations, or a particular certificate pathway. A school can impose requirements beyond the basic IB framework, so the rule may be valid even though separate Physics is not universally compulsory across the MYP. Request the course outline and assessment schedule so you understand what you will actually study. If you have concerns about readiness or workload, discuss specific evidence with your science teacher or MYP coordinator rather than asking only for an exemption. Once enrolled, use your teacher's unit plan to select relevant notes, flashcards, and practice questions instead of trying to revise every possible MYP Physics topic.

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MYP Physics Requirement: Is Physics Compulsory?

MYP Physics Subject Choice MYP IB Physics Study Guides

Michael R.

• 11 Sept 2026•9

MYP Physics Requirement: Is Physics Compulsory?

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MYP Physics Requirement: Is Physics Compulsory? | RevisionDojo

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MYP Physics Requirement: Is Physics Compulsory?

MYP Physics Subject Choice MYP IB Physics Study Guides

Michael R.

• 11 Sept 2026•9

The short answer is no: Physics is not universally compulsory as a separate MYP subject. However, the broader Sciences subject group is normally part of the MYP, and your school may teach Physics within Integrated Sciences or require it separately. Your exact MYP Physics requirement depends on your MYP year, school curriculum, local education rules, and whether you are pursuing the full MYP certificate.

The official MYP Physics requirement

The IB organizes the Middle Years Programme into eight subject groups, including Sciences. According to the official MYP curriculum overview, schools generally provide at least 50 teaching hours per subject group in each programme year.

Physics is not itself one of the eight required groups. It is a discipline that can be taught within Sciences, alongside Biology and Chemistry. The IB's MYP Sciences overview explains that schools may offer separate sciences, Integrated Sciences, or other courses that meet the subject group's objectives.

Question	General answer
Is Sciences normally part of the MYP?	Yes, although permitted flexibility exists in Years 4 and 5.
Must schools teach separate Physics?	No. Physics may be included in Integrated Sciences.
Can a school make Physics compulsory?	Yes. School or local curriculum rules may require it.
Is science required for the MYP certificate?	Yes. Sciences is one of the six assessed subject groups required.

Why the answer differs between schools

The MYP is a curriculum framework rather than one fixed international timetable. Schools must meet IB requirements but have considerable control over course organization, unit content, and when sciences become separate subjects.

Common structures include:

Integrated Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are combined.
Separate sciences: Students take the three disciplines as distinct courses.
Science options: Students select sciences in the later MYP years.
Locally required courses: National or state rules determine what students study.

Two students of the same age can therefore have different timetables while following valid MYP programmes. The RevisionDojo guide to MYP subject choice explains how schools adapt their subject offerings.

Do Years 4 and 5 students have more choice?

In MYP Years 4 and 5, schools may allow students to study courses from six rather than all eight subject groups, subject to IB conditions. This supports specialization and helps schools accommodate local graduation requirements.

It does not mean every student can automatically drop science. Your school decides whether to use this flexibility and which combinations are available. For the IB MYP certificate, the official MYP passing criteria require assessment in Sciences as one of six specified subject groups.

Available science eAssessments include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Integrated Sciences. The official list of MYP assessments shows that these are alternatives within Sciences, not four examinations every certificate candidate must complete.

Should you choose MYP Physics when it is optional?

Physics is a sensible choice if you enjoy explaining how systems work, interpreting graphs, applying mathematics, and testing models experimentally. It can also prepare you for later study in Physics, engineering, and other quantitative fields.

However, do not select Physics only because it appears prestigious. Your decision should reflect future plans, genuine interests, workload, and the likelihood that you will remain engaged.

Ask these questions before choosing:

What does your school offer? Establish whether Physics is integrated, optional, or compulsory.
What might you study later? Check whether future courses have recommended prerequisites.
Do you enjoy mathematical applications? Physics commonly uses equations, units, graphs, and proportional reasoning.
Is your workload balanced? Consider your complete subject combination.
What do your teachers recommend? They can judge readiness using classwork and investigations.

To understand possible course content, review the MYP Sciences curriculum breakdown alongside your school's own unit outline.

What studying MYP Physics involves

Content varies because schools design their own units, but common areas include mechanics, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, thermal physics, atomic physics, and space science. Students also design investigations, process data, evaluate methods, and consider the consequences of scientific applications.

Physics is not simply a collection of formulas. Success requires moving between words, equations, diagrams, graphs, and experimental evidence. The RevisionDojo MYP Physics resource hub provides topic support, but external resources should always be matched to your school's curriculum.

Common mistakes when interpreting the requirement

A frequent mistake is assuming Sciences and Physics mean the same thing. Sciences is the official MYP subject group; Physics is one possible discipline within it.

Students also sometimes assume that flexibility in Years 4 and 5 guarantees unrestricted choice. Schools control the available pathways, while certificate and local requirements may limit them. Another school's timetable is therefore not reliable evidence of what your school permits.

What to ask your MYP coordinator

Before submitting your choices, request clarification about:

Whether Physics is compulsory at your school
Whether it is separate or part of Integrated Sciences
Which options satisfy graduation and certificate requirements
Whether later Physics courses have prerequisites
Whether changing subjects later is permitted

Written information from your coordinator or course guide is more reliable than a general online subject list.

Conclusion

The official MYP Physics requirement does not make separate Physics compulsory for every student. Sciences normally forms part of the programme, but schools may deliver it through separate disciplines or Integrated Sciences, while local policies can impose additional requirements.

Check your school's rules, certificate plans, future courses, interests, and workload before deciding. If Physics is part of your programme, RevisionDojo's MYP Physics lessons and MYP Physics Questionbank can support focused review and practice alongside your teacher's materials.

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