Start here: what this planner does

This planner converts your interests, university direction, and weekly bandwidth into a concrete HL/SL mix and a study‑load plan you can actually execute inside RevisionDojo. It references real IB assessment structures and teaching hours across subjects so you can make choices grounded in facts, not vibes. RevisionDojo is independent of the IBO. Learn more.

HL vs SL: the levers that change your workload

• Teaching hours: HL generally has 240 teaching hours vs 150 at SL (ratio ≈ 1.6×). See subject hubs that state this explicitly: Math AA, Biology (first assessment 2025), Physics (first assessment 2025), Economics, English A Literature, Global Politics, Chinese B.

• Assessment structure differences matter by subject:

• Some HL courses add a Paper 3 (e.g., Math AA HL 20%; Economics HL 20%; Business Management HL 25%).

• New sciences (first assessment 2025) run with two external papers plus the Scientific Investigation at both SL and HL—no Paper 3—while HL papers are longer/more demanding. See Biology and Physics.

• Language A/B HL adds depth/length in external papers and HL‑only components (e.g., English A Lit, Chinese B).

• Content scope: HL extends topic depth and, in some subjects, adds HL‑only strands (e.g., IB Computer Science—ADT/OOP HL).

Interactive decision flow (3 questions → an actionable plan)

Answer each branch; then apply the output rules below. 1) Interests and strengths

• Quant/problem‑solving energizes me → Math‑/CS‑/Econ‑leaning.

• Experimental science and labs energize me → Bio/Chem/Physics‑leaning.

• Reading, writing, argument energize me → Lang A, History/GP‑leaning.

2) University direction (signals, not promises)

• Math/CS/data‑heavy direction → favor Math AA HL; consider CS HL or Econ HL. See Math AA, CS, Economics.

• Life sciences/biomed/psych‑methods → prioritize at least one Group 4 HL. See Biology, Chemistry, Psychology (first assessment 2027).

• Humanities/communications/law/politics → prioritize a writing‑dense HL (e.g., Eng A Lit HL, History HL, Global Politics HL). See English A Lit, Global Politics, History.

3) Weekly bandwidth (realistic time you can protect)

• High (consistent, structured self‑study time exists)

• Medium (steady but with spikes around assessments)

• Low (tight schedule or heavy extracurriculars)

Output rules: convert your inputs into an HL/SL mix

• Rule A — Anchor one HL in your strongest mode (quant, lab, or writing). This maximizes return on time.

• Rule B — Add a second HL that is a clear signal for your likely uni direction (e.g., Math AA HL for quant; a Group 4 HL for life sciences; a writing‑heavy HL for humanities). Use subject hubs above for specifics on assessments/skills.

• Rule C — Respect the 1.6× workload ratio: each HL you add is roughly SL × 1.6 in taught scope—mirror that in your self‑study plan.

• Rule D — If bandwidth = Low, cap your plan to the minimum HLs your school/IB pathway allows and exploit high‑leverage tools (Exam Mode, AI Grader) to compress learning. See Exam Mode, Coursework Grader.

• Rule E — Balance the rest as SL to cover breadth efficiently; use SLs to protect your weekly schedule while still building core skills.

Study‑load planning you can actually track

Use the HL:SL scope ratio (≈1.6×) to scale your weekly self‑study per subject.

• Step 1: Pick a base SL weekly block that fits your life (e.g., 2 sessions × 45 minutes).

• Step 2: For an HL in the same family, target 1.6× that base (e.g., 3 sessions × 45 minutes).

• Step 3: Stack buffers before major papers/IA deadlines using Test Builder and Exam Mode.

• Step 4: Close feedback loops weekly with Questionbank + AI feedback and the Coursework Grader.

Example personas (apply the rules, then customize)

Note: Always align with your school’s offerings and coordinator guidance.

Subject‑specific HL signals (quick scan)

• Mathematics Analysis & Approaches HL: adds Paper 3 (20%); non‑calculator/calc papers plus IA (20%). Details.

• Economics HL: Paper 3 HL‑only (20%) with quantitative focus; extended Paper 2 weighting shift vs SL. Details.

• Business Management HL: HL Paper 3 (social enterprise case study, 25%). Details.

• Biology/Physics (first assessment 2025): no Paper 3; HL has longer/rigor versions of P1/P2 plus Scientific Investigation at both levels. Biology, Physics.

• Computer Science: HL extends into deeper OOP/abstract data types; new syllabus (first exam 2027) notes HL‑only distinctions. New CS and current CS.

• English A Literature HL: longer/stricter external papers and HL‑essay expectations vs SL. Details.

• Global Politics HL: adds Paper 3 (HL stimulus‑based essay) and extended scope (first assessment May 2026). Details.

• Language B HL (e.g., Chinese B): longer papers with greater productive demands than SL. Details.

How to run this plan inside Revision

Dojo 1) Diagnose topics: Take a mixed‑topic quiz in the Questionbank for each candidate HL to surface weak areas. 2) Model the load: Build a realistic paper with Test Builder mirroring HL components (e.g., Math AA Paper 3). 3) Timebox and stress‑test: Sit it in Exam Mode to validate your pacing and stamina. 4) Close the loop: Upload an IA/EE/TOK draft to the Coursework Grader for criterion‑aligned feedback; compare to exemplars. 5) Forecast outcomes: Track practice marks and use the IB Grade Calculator to estimate diploma points vs your uni targets.

Planner FAQs

• How many HLs should I attempt? Follow your school’s IB pathway and coordinator guidance. This planner helps you choose which subjects, not how many.

• What if my school doesn’t offer a subject at HL? Use the SL path for coverage, then deepen via RevisionDojo’s HL‑style questions, predicted papers, and AI feedback in that subject’s hub.

• How do I keep the workload sustainable? Use the 1.6× HL scaling, protect weekly blocks, and replace low‑yield busywork with high‑leverage cycles: Questionbank → Exam Mode → AI feedback.

Links you’ll need next

• All IB subject hubs: start with Math AA, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, English A Literature, Global Politics, Economics, TOK.

• Plans and discounts: see Pricing.