<p>This is helpful. To answer your questions - the Economics SL is a one year course which he has just finished (with an A+ and likely 7 on the IB exam). The reason he’d have to take History HL rather than SL is that is all that fits into his schedule with the other classes he’s got. He could take a non-honors history class but that would be filled with kids who aren’t as interested in learning and would lower his gpa because it wouldn’t be weighted. He is shooting for valedictorian so doesn’t want to do that. He took history in 9th and 10th and won the prize for the strongest history student both years. Its just that other interests pulled him toward emphasizing math/physics/compsci/econ as his dreams involve sustainable energy technology. Yes - his guidance counselor will definitley check off most demanding schedule. If he did take History HL it would be more for show than IB requirements as it is a two year course and he would only get through one year and would never take the exam.</p>