At a glance
- Subjects
- Six: three or four at HL, the rest at SL
- Teaching time
- HL at least 240 hours, SL 150 hours
- Grades
- 1 to 7 at both levels
- Diploma minimum
- 24 points, with at least 12 from HL and 9 from SL
- Maximum score
- 45 (42 from subjects plus 3 core points)
What actually differs between HL and SL
| Aspect | SL | HL |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended teaching time | 150 hours | 240 hours |
| Content | Core syllabus | Core plus additional higher level topics |
| Exams | Shorter papers | Longer papers, often an extra paper (for example Maths Paper 3) |
| Internal assessment | Same task in most subjects | Same task, sometimes judged against more demanding descriptors |
| Grade scale | 1 to 7 | 1 to 7 |
Example: in Maths AA, SL students sit two 90-minute papers, while HL students sit two 2-hour papers and a 1-hour Paper 3.
Diploma rules that depend on HL and SL
The Diploma is not awarded if any of these conditions apply. They are why a weak HL choice can cost the whole Diploma, not just a grade.
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Total points | At least 24 out of 45 |
| HL points | At least 12 points from HL subjects |
| SL points | At least 9 points from SL subjects |
| No grade 1 | A 1 in any subject is a failing condition |
| Low grades | No more than three grades of 3 or below, and no more than two grades of 2 or below |
| Core | TOK and the Extended Essay above grade E, and CAS completed |
The HL and SL thresholds above are for the usual pattern of three HL and three SL subjects. Ask the school's IB coordinator how they apply to a four-HL programme.
Choosing by university course
Typical patterns only. Requirements differ by university and country and change each year, so check the actual course pages before choosing.
| Intended degree | HL subjects often asked for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering, physics | Maths AA HL and Physics HL | Some universities accept Maths AI HL; many selective ones do not |
| Mathematics, computer science | Maths AA HL | Computer science courses rarely require IB Computer Science |
| Medicine, dentistry | Chemistry HL, usually with Biology HL or another science | Admissions tests and interviews also matter |
| Economics | Maths at a stated level, often AA HL at selective universities | IB Economics itself is rarely required |
| Law, humanities, social sciences | Rarely fixed | Essay subjects at HL (History, English) help show the skills |
| Business, psychology | Rarely fixed | Maths AI is commonly accepted |
How to decide
Start with the degree. If your child has even a rough idea (engineering, medicine, business), look up three or four target universities and write down what they require at HL and what grades. Requirements are usually stated as a total points score plus specific HL grades. That single list settles most choices.
Then look at evidence, not hope. MYP or IGCSE results, teacher views and how your child copes with the hardest topics in a subject are better guides than how much they like it. Choosing HL in a subject that is a struggle can pull the total down twice: once through the grade and once through the time it takes from other subjects.
Finally, think about the timetable. HL subjects have longer papers in the same exam session, and HL internal assessments arrive alongside the Extended Essay in DP2. Three HL subjects the student can sustain is usually better than four that stretch them thin. Schools generally allow level changes early in DP1 if the timetable permits; the later a switch, the more content there is to catch up.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Maths AI SL to keep life easy, then finding the target degree needs Maths AA HL.
- Taking four HL subjects to look impressive. Universities set offers on points and specific HL grades; a fourth HL rarely helps an offer and adds real workload.
- Picking HL by which teacher or friends are in the class.
- Not checking the Diploma rules: a student with weak HL grades can fail the Diploma despite a good total.
- Waiting until DP1 has started to look up university requirements.
How one-to-one lessons help with HL
The most common reason families ask for help is an HL subject that has become harder than expected, usually Maths AA HL, Physics HL or Chemistry HL. A tutor who teaches that course diagnoses the gaps from the student's own tests, rebuilds the prerequisite skills (often algebra and functions) and then works through HL-only topics and longer exam questions at a pace the class cannot offer.
Lessons can also support a decision. A few sessions on the hardest topics of an HL course in the first weeks of DP1 show quickly whether the level is sustainable, while a switch is still possible.
Common questions
Is it better to take three or four HL subjects?
For most students, three. The Diploma requires only three HL subjects, universities set offers on points and specific HL grades, and a fourth HL adds 90 or more extra teaching hours. Four makes sense when a route genuinely needs it, for example two sciences plus maths for some medicine or engineering applications.
Do universities prefer HL grades?
Many offers name specific HL grades (for example 6 in Chemistry HL), and some courses only count certain subjects if taken at HL. A 7 at SL does not usually substitute for a required HL subject.
Can my child change from HL to SL during the course?
Usually yes early in DP1, depending on the school's timetable and policies. Moving from SL to HL later is harder because of the extra content. Ask the IB coordinator before the school's deadline.
Is Maths AI HL easier than Maths AA SL?
They are different courses. AI HL is broad and demanding, with matrices, graph theory and differential equations, but some degrees that need maths specifically ask for AA HL. Choose by the degree requirements first.
How much do IB lessons cost with LiveTutor?
$15 a lesson, the same flat rate for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one and online, and the first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.