For M28 students: IB exams in May 2028, started DP1 in August 2026.
To request an IB subject change, contact your DP coordinator promptly with the proposed subject or level, your reasons, and evidence that the combination is workable. Follow your school's deadline and obtain formal approval before changing classes.
This guide explains the process, Diploma requirements, and preparation for a DP1 switch.
Who approves an IB subject or level change?
Your school, normally through the DP coordinator and relevant teachers, approves or rejects changes. The IB establishes Diploma requirements but does not give students a universal right to switch by a particular date.
Schools set deadlines because changes affect timetables, class sizes, teaching hours, and registration. They may require parental consent, an assessment, or payment for books, online courses, or registration changes.
Ask your coordinator about the deadline, class space, timetable compatibility, teacher approval, catch-up requirements, and fees. Check university prerequisites before committing.
Check that your combination follows Diploma rules
Students study six subjects plus the DP core. A valid plan normally includes one subject from each of Groups 1 to 5, while the sixth may come from Group 6 or another group permitted by the curriculum structure.
Students take three or four HL subjects, with the remainder at SL. Recommended teaching time is 240 hours for HL and 150 hours for SL, so moving to HL adds substantial work.
| Group | General subject area |
|---|---|
| Group 1 | Studies in language and literature |
| Group 2 | Language acquisition |
| Group 3 | Individuals and societies |
| Group 4 | Sciences |
| Group 5 | Mathematics |
| Group 6 | The arts, or an allowed alternative subject |
Environmental systems and societies (ESS) is interdisciplinary and can satisfy both Groups 3 and 4. It is offered at SL and HL. Your coordinator must verify that your complete six-subject combination is permitted and available for M28.
How to request an IB subject change step by step
1. Identify the exact change
Specify both choices, such as “Economics HL to Economics SL” or “Biology SL to Psychology SL.” Dropping an HL may require raising another subject to retain at least three HL subjects.
2. Investigate the new course
Read the outline and ask what has already been covered. Explore RevisionDojo IB subject resources, but confirm the teaching sequence and M28 syllabus with your school.
Consider assessment style: an appealing subject may require extensive essays, mathematical processing, laboratory work, oral assessment, or independent coursework.
3. Gather evidence
Prepare recent grades, teacher feedback, relevant earlier results, missed topics, a catch-up schedule, and your revised six-subject combination. Include teacher comments and timetable information where available.
Evidence should demonstrate academic fit rather than dissatisfaction after one difficult lesson. If a university requires a particular HL subject, provide its exact published requirement from the official admissions page.
4. Speak to both teachers
Ask your current teacher whether additional support or a level change could address the problem. Ask the proposed teacher about readiness, missed work, and any entrance assessment.
Continue attending your current class until approval is confirmed. Informal discussions do not change your timetable or registration.
5. Email the DP coordinator
Adapt this concise template:
Subject: Request for DP1 subject or level change
Dear [Coordinator's name],
I request a change from [current subject and level] to [proposed subject and level] because [academic or university-related reasons]. I have consulted [teachers] and prepared a catch-up plan covering [topics and dates].
My proposed combination is [six subjects and levels]. Please confirm the process, deadline, timetable availability, fees, and required assessments.
Kind regards, [Name and class]
6. Attend the meeting prepared
Bring your evidence and discuss workload, career plans, missing foundations, and alternatives. Your coordinator may recommend a level change, further assessment, or another available course.
An early DP1 switch can be manageable, but a later move may leave insufficient time to build essential knowledge.
7. Obtain written confirmation
Confirm the approved subject, level, start date, timetable, catch-up conditions, fees, and parental actions. Check that school records and learning platforms are updated, and retain the approval email.
How schools evaluate your request
A strong request addresses two separate questions: is the new combination formally valid, and can you realistically succeed after joining late? Meeting Diploma rules does not guarantee approval because the school must also be able to teach, supervise, and assess the course properly.
When explaining your reason, focus on academic fit, future entry requirements, or evidence that the current level is inappropriate. Avoid presenting the change as a way to escape one low mark, a teacher, or an upcoming deadline. Coordinators need to see a considered decision rather than a temporary reaction.
Your catch-up proposal should fit alongside all six subjects and the DP core. Estimate weekly hours, identify who will answer questions, and include checkpoints before major class assessments. If the plan requires an unrealistic amount of independent study, propose a later checkpoint or an alternative subject and level.
Before the meeting, compare the likely outcomes of staying, changing level, and changing subject. For each option, note the effect on workload, university access, and catch-up time. This makes it easier to explain why your preferred option is the most workable.
Make the catch-up plan realistic
Give each missing topic a resource, deadline, and understanding check. Reading alone is insufficient: include practice and feedback.
| Task | Evidence of completion |
|---|---|
| Learn a missed topic | Notes and completed examples |
| Practise required skills | Marked exam-style questions |
| Check understanding | Teacher meeting or topic test |
| Review progress | Weekly completed and remaining tasks |
RevisionDojo's Questionbank supports application practice, while Flashcards suit terminology and factual recall. Let your teacher prioritize topics and question types, especially where later lessons depend on missed foundations.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting silently: school deadlines may precede IB registration deadlines.
- Choosing by perceived difficulty: every DP subject has demanding assessments.
- Ignoring university prerequisites: switching may close a degree route.
- Assuming space exists: a valid combination may still clash with the timetable.
- Dropping below three HL subjects: preserve the required level balance.
- Starting without approval: teacher agreement alone may not update records.
- Underestimating missed work: switching does not remove responsibility for earlier content.
Conclusion
Act promptly, specify the change, check Diploma requirements, and consult both teachers. Support your request with evidence and a realistic catch-up plan, then obtain written approval from your coordinator.
To organize your preparation, consider a free RevisionDojo account and list your missing topics. Its IB study features, particularly Questionbank and Flashcards, can support teacher-directed catch-up work.