English A is the most widely taken subject in the IB Diploma Programme. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students worldwide study it, making it the single most competitive IB subject by enrolment.
Because it feels familiar, many students underestimate English A. They assume that because they have studied English for years, strong grades will come naturally. In reality, English A is one of the most misunderstood IB subjects — and one where exam technique matters more than talent.
This article explains why English A is so popular, why that popularity creates challenges, and how students can approach the subject strategically to maximise their final grade.
Quick Start Checklist
- Why English A is compulsory for most IB students
- Why familiarity can be misleading
- How popularity affects grading and competition
- What actually separates top English A students
- How RevisionDojo helps students stand out
Why Almost Every IB Student Takes English A
The main reason English A is the most popular IB subject is simple: it is required. All IB Diploma students must take at least one Language A course, and English is the primary language of instruction in many IB schools worldwide.
In addition to being compulsory, English A feels safe. Students are used to reading texts, writing essays, and analysing language. Compared to subjects like Economics or Physics, English A seems less technical and less risky.
This combination of requirement and familiarity guarantees massive enrolment every year.
Why English A Feels Easier Than It Actually Is
English A is often underestimated because students confuse familiarity with mastery.
Many students believe that:
- Being fluent in English is enough
- Strong opinions automatically earn marks
- Creative interpretations are always rewarded
In reality, English A rewards precision, not confidence. Examiners are not grading how much you like a text — they are grading how clearly you analyse authorial choices, structure arguments, and link ideas back to the guiding question.
This gap between perception and reality is why English A catches so many students off guard.
How Popularity Changes the English A Grading Experience
Because English A has such large cohorts, examiners see thousands of similar responses. This has important consequences:
- Generic analysis is penalised quickly
- Vague comments earn little credit
- Structure and clarity matter more than flair
- Weak thesis statements are exposed immediately
In popular subjects like English A, small mistakes matter. Students who do not understand assessment criteria often plateau at mid-level grades, even if their writing is fluent.
What Top English A Students Do Differently
Students who score 6s and 7s in English A are not simply “better writers.” They do specific things consistently:
- They plan essays around the question, not the text
- They analyse techniques, not themes alone
- They write with examiner expectations in mind
- They practice structuring introductions and conclusions
- They understand how marks are awarded
Success in English A is systematic, not accidental.
Should You Worry About Taking Such a Popular Subject?
No — but you should respect it.
English A is not harder because it is popular. It is harder because expectations are high. Students who approach it casually often struggle, while students who treat it like a skills-based subject perform extremely well.
If you are willing to practice analysis, refine structure, and learn how examiners think, English A can be one of the most rewarding IB subjects.
Why RevisionDojo Is Especially Effective for English A
English A success depends on clarity, structure, and repetition — exactly what RevisionDojo is designed for.
RevisionDojo helps English A students by:
- Breaking down assessment criteria in simple terms
- Showing what strong analysis actually looks like
- Providing structured practice questions
- Teaching students how to plan and refine responses
- Helping students move from average to excellent
In a subject where competition is intense, structured support makes all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is English A harder than other IB subjects?
English A is not harder in content, but it is demanding in skills. Many students struggle because expectations are precise and implicit. Once students understand how marks are awarded, performance improves significantly.
Can non-native speakers do well in English A?
Yes. Fluency helps, but clarity and analysis matter more than vocabulary range. Many high-scoring students are not native speakers. Understanding structure and criteria is far more important than sounding sophisticated.
Why do strong students sometimes score lower than expected?
Most disappointments come from weak structure, unfocused arguments, or ignoring the question. English A rewards discipline, not intuition. Students who rely on “natural ability” often underperform.
Final Thoughts
English A is the most popular IB subject because it feels familiar and unavoidable. But popularity also raises the bar. Students who succeed are the ones who treat English A like a skill to be trained, not a subject to wing.
With the right approach and the right guidance, English A can become one of your strongest subjects — not your most frustrating one.
