Countries Where Entrance Exams Matter More Than IB Scores.
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Many IB students assume their final diploma score will be the primary factor in university admissions. While this is true in countries like the Netherlands or Sweden, several systems operate very differently. In some countries, entrance exams outweigh IB scores in final ranking decisions, especially for competitive degrees like Medicine, Dentistry, and Engineering.
In these systems, IB subjects determine eligibility — but exam performance determines selection.
This guide explains which countries prioritise entrance exams over IB scores, how
the systems work, and what IB students must prepare for.
Exam-Dominant Countries Snapshot
Country | IB Alone Enough? | Entrance Exam Weight | Common for Medicine? | Holistic Review |
Portugal | No (public) | Very High | Yes | Minimal |
Italy | No | Very High | Yes | Minimal |
Hungary | No | Very High | Yes | None |
Czech Republic | No | Very High | Yes | None |
Poland | Rarely | High | Yes | Minimal |
Spain | Sometimes | Moderate–High | Yes | Limited |
India (for comparison) | No | Extremely High | Yes | None |
IB Scores : 1. Portugal (Public Universities)
National entrance exams central to ranking
IB score alone insufficient
Medicine heavily exam-driven
Strict quota systems
Even IB 40+ cannot compensate for weak exam performance.
2. Italy (Public & Private Medicine)
IMAT required for English-taught Medicine
National ranking list determines admission
IB subjects required for eligibility
IMAT score often determines final outcome more than IB total.
3. Hungary
Written and/or oral science entrance exams
Chemistry and Biology heavily tested
IB score secondary to exam result
Hungary applies strong science assessment standards.
4. Czech Republic
Mandatory written tests in biology, chemistry, physics
Some universities include interviews
IB does not replace exams
Entrance exam performance is decisive.
5. Poland
Many universities require internal entrance tests
IB score may support application but does not replace exam
Medicine remains exam-centric
6. Spain (Selective Cases)
Some private institutions accept IB directly
Many conduct internal assessments
Competitive programs still test science readiness
Exam weight varies by institution.
Why These Countries Use Exam-Dominant Systems
National standardisation of selection
Large applicant pools
Strict professional regulation (especially for Medicine)
Merit-ranking culture
These systems prioritise standardised testing performance over diploma averages.
How This Differs from IB-Driven Countries
Country | IB Score Dominant? |
Netherlands | Yes |
Sweden | Yes |
Norway | Yes |
Ireland | Mostly |
Germany | Yes (subject strict) |
In these countries, no additional entrance exam usually exists.
Common IB Miscalculations
Assumption | Reality |
High IB guarantees entry | Exam score determines ranking |
Entrance exams are formalities | They are decisive |
IB preparation equals exam preparation | Often different formats |
Private universities remove exams | Not always |
Exam systems require separate preparation strategy.
Strategic Advice for IB Students
If targeting exam-dominant countries:
Begin entrance exam preparation early
Understand format (multiple choice, oral, written)
Align IB subjects strictly
Avoid assuming IB content perfectly matches exam syllabus
IB strength does not automatically equal exam readiness.
Risk Analysis
Risk | Impact |
Weak exam performance | Immediate rejection |
No exam preparation | Wasted application cycle |
Wrong assumption about eligibility | Missed deadlines |
Underestimating competition | Ranking too low |
Exam-heavy systems reward test strategy, not just coursework excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )
1) Does a high IB score replace entrance exams?
No. In exam-dominant countries, exams determine ranking.
2) Are entrance exams only for Medicine?
Mostly for competitive programs like Medicine, Dentistry, and some Engineering fields.
3) Are private universities exam-free?
Not always. Many still conduct internal testing.
4) Which European countries do not require entrance exams?
Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Germany (subject-dependent) typically rely on academic records instead.
5) Should IB students avoid exam-heavy countries?
Only if they are not prepared for additional standardised testing.
Final Takeaway
In countries like Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, and parts of Poland and Spain, entrance exams carry more weight than IB scores in competitive admissions. IB subjects determine eligibility, but exam performance determines selection.
Students targeting these countries must prepare for entrance exams as a separate academic challenge — not rely solely on their IB diploma.
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