Meet Your Expert: Lola, IB Chemistry HL Graduate & Experienced Tutor
Lola is a passionate and experienced tutor with over two years of teaching and 400+ hours of tutoring experience. A graduate of QACI and Academic Student of the Year, she achieved an IB score of 40 (96.80 ATAR, 99.95 adjusted), earning Dux awards in IB Biology SL, Psychology HL, and English HL. Having lived in Shanghai for 12 years, she brings extensive Chinese language and cultural knowledge to her teaching. Lola specialises in simplifying complex concepts and delivering engaging, personalised lessons to help students succeed in IB Chemistry and beyond.
HL vs SL IB Chemistry: Should You Take the Higher Level?
Chemistry—a subject renowned for its difficulty in the IB. If you're considering taking it, one of the biggest decisions you'll face is whether to choose Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL).
As a 2024 Chemistry HL graduate, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of the subject—along with the valuable skills and knowledge it provides. So, should you take HL or stick with SL? Let’s break it down.
1. Content Differences: How Much Harder is HL?
Obviously, this is a major deciding factor for most people. HL Chemistry covers nearly twice the content of SL, with more complex calculations. However, the content isn’t completely new. HL instead builds and extends on SL knowledge, which is both a blessing and a curse.
If you enjoy deepening your understanding of chemistry and truly understanding “how” and “why” things work the way they do, HL Chemistry offers a comprehensive deep dive. Concepts that seem surface level in SL are explored in far greater detail, making chemistry feel more completed, rather than just a series of facts to memorise.
However, this means that you must have a solid and deep understanding of SL topics to actually fully comprehend the HL topics. In SL, you can take the whole two years to get comfortable with these topics. In HL, you don’t have that luxury - if you struggle with SL content, you will be constantly playing catch up.
From personal experience, this is not a subject you can cram. I remember struggling with equilibrium in SL, and when it showed up again in HL with even more complexity, I had to go back and relearn the basics. If you’re considering HL, ask yourself:
- Do I enjoy chemistry enough to spend extra hours on it?
- Am I willing to put in the effort early to ensure I understand SL topics thoroughly?
If the answer is yes, HL is a rewarding and fulfilling subject that fully allows you to understand chemistry. However, if the answer is no, SL might be a better choice.
2. Career Relevance: Does Your Future Path Require HL Chemistry?
No one is expected to have their futures figured out when they are choosing IB subjects, however, it is important that you do not shut off any potential pathways by choosing the wrong HL subjects.
Chemistry HL is a prerequisite for some courses, and this is important to take into account. For example, medicine and other science related fields sometimes require Chemistry HL compared to SL. Thus, it is important for one to do the proper research into potential pathways before making this decision.
I learned this the hard way. I initially thought I only needed one science at HL, but later realized both Chemistry and Biology HL were required for my chosen pathway. Don’t make the same mistake—do your research before finalising your subjects.
Before choosing between HL and SL, do your research:
- Check university websites for course prerequisites.
- Consider backup options in case you change your mind about your career or if you are unsure.
- Talk to teachers or past students for advice.
I learned this the hard way. I initially thought I only needed one science at HL, but later realised that both HL Chemistry and HL Biology were required for my chosen pathway. Do your research early to avoid making the same mistake!
When is HL Chemistry a must?
- If you're considering medicine, veterinary science, or biochemistry, HL Chemistry is often required.
- If you're unsure, HL Chemistry keeps doors open for many science-based careers.
However, if you're confident that chemistry isn't needed for your future, SL Chemistry can still support many pathways.
3. Workload Considerations
Chemistry Higher Level is a big commitment, requiring a lot of studying, practice and time. So before picking this subject, think about how it fits with your other HLs.
Some common challenging subject combinations include:
- HL Chemistry + HL Biology + HL Maths → Very demanding, common for aspiring med students.
- HL Chemistry + HL Physics + HL Maths → Heavy on calculations, suits engineering pathways.
- HL Chemistry + HL English + HL History → A mix of science and humanities, requires strong time management.
If you're taking multiple heavy subjects, be realistic:
- Do you have enough time to dedicate to HL Chemistry without sacrificing other subjects?
- If you are pairing HL Chemistry with other demanding subjects, is the workload realistic or are you likely to burnout?
- Would SL Chemistry allow you to focus more on other subjects you struggle with?
Extracurriculars also matter.If you’re involved in sports, music, or part-time work, you might need to balance your schedule carefully. HL Chemistry is doable, but it requires discipline and time management.
4. Final Decision: Should You Take HL or SL?
At the end of the day, choosing between HL and SL Chemistry comes down to:
- Your interest in chemistry—Do you genuinely enjoy the subject?
- Your future career goals—Will you need HL Chemistry for university?
- Your overall workload—Can you handle the extra content without sacrificing other subjects?
Take HL Chemistry if:
- You genuinely love chemistry and enjoy learning how it works.
- You need it for university prerequisites.
- You are willing to commit the time and effort to master the subject.
Stick with SL Chemistry if:
- You don’t need HL Chemistry for your career.
- You want more time to focus on other subjects.
- You prefer a manageable workload while still studying chemistry.
Whatever you decide, you will find a path to where you are meant to be. Trust yourself!
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