Students who are interested in IB Chemistry will need to decide whether to take it at HL or SL. HL is more difficult than SL, with more content being covered in greater depth. There are a few differences between HL and SL Chemistry which are covered in this article.
Higher Level (HL) Chemistry
- HL Chemistry covers topics in greater depth and includes more complex concepts and additional content as compared to SL.
- Many university courses in fields like medicine, pharmacy, engineering, and STEM prefer or require HL Chemistry as a prerequisite.
- HL Chemistry requires students to put in more time and effort, which more complex IAs which means more hours in the lab and harder final exams.
- Students who have a strong interest in Chemistry should take HL Chemistry.
- Students who do HL Chemistry may select Chemistry as a subject for their EE.
Standard Level (SL) Chemistry
- SL Chemistry will cover the basic topics of Chemistry and provide a strong foundation in the subject, but with less depth than HL.
- The workload is lighter as compared to HL, which means fewer hours in the lab
- If the university course you want to enter does not have specific requirements, SL Chemistry is often sufficient to get in.
- Students who are more gifted in the Humanities and less at Science should opt for SL Chemistry.
Things to think about before making your decision:
- Students should think about their career aspirations and whether the university courses they are interested in require HL Chemistry
- Students should think about how strong they are at Science and Math subjects
- Students should consider their existing workload and whether they can juggle the stress which comes with taking HL Chemistry
If you are still unsure, you can look at the HL and SL Chemistry syllabi and make a comparison between the two. Talk to your teachers, parents, and tutors if you need to make a decision and cannot decide. Students should also research university requirements and look for prerequisites of the courses they want to do and see whether they line up with their subject combination. They should then assess their interest in Chemistry and ability to handle the workload. Remember – it is no use if a student is burnt out at the end of the IB Diploma.
Get a 7 for IB Chemistry (HL/SL) with the IB Chemistry Clinic today!
As the name suggests, the IB Chemistry Clinic does not only fix a student’s grades - it helps students with critical components of the IB Programme, namely the Internal Assessment (IA) which is worth at least 20% of a student’s grade and their Extended Essay (EE) in Chemistry. The IA and EE are a non-negotiable part of the Chemistry curriculum - without them, students will not be able to graduate with an IB Diploma.
However, there are many difficulties associated with conducting experiments for the IA and EE - many replications are required and the standard for the final deliverable - the research report - is high. Students need to undertake statistical testing and present their final results coherently and concisely.
Although the IB school provides mentors for the EE and teachers at school can guide students through their IA, attention to each student is often limited in a classroom setting and many students are left to figure things out by themselves. This results in difficulty completing internal deadlines on time, especially when a student needs to juggle all their 6 subjects and the additional components of the IB, along with their CCAs and other commitments.
The IB Chemistry Clinic is here to answer all your questions - whether it is about content knowledge or fixing errors in your experimental setup as you undertake your IA journey, our skilled tutors with a strong background in Chemistry research and 30 years of experience teaching Chemistry are here to help!
Contact us at +65 9616 1651 to book your slot today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to get a 7 in IB?
With time and effort, students who know the syllabus well and are well-prepared and have well-written assignments will easily get a 7 in the IB.
Is IB harder than A Levels Singapore?
The A Level exam is more difficult than the IB exam, but IB involves the Internal Assessment (IA) which features independent research which could be harder than the A Level exam.
Is 43 in IB a good score?
An IB score of 43 is an excellent score.
What is the hardest IB subject combination?
One of the hardest IB subject combinations is PCME, which involves HL Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, along with SL Economics.
What IB score is needed for Harvard/Oxford?
The minimum IB score for Harvard and Oxford is 40 points out of 45 points.
Is 28 a bad IB score?
The average IB score throughout the years has ranged between 28 to 30 points. All students need to score a minimum of 24 points across 6 subjects to be awarded an IB diploma.
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