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How to Get 45 Points: IB Tips from Top Scorers

How to Get 45 Points: IB Tips from Top Scorers

3 min read | Lanterna Team | January 27, 2026

Learn how to get 45 points in the IB Diploma with 23 expert revision tips and study strategies directly from top scorers who achieved the maximum grade.

45 Tips from 45-Point Scorers: Part 1

All IB students dream of getting those 45 points. But, how? Are all 45 scorers robots? Do they go outside? In this part of the blog, we’ve contacted a couple of our incredible Lanterna tutors who all achieved the amazing top score! Over the next two weeks we’re going to reveal 45 tips from these 45-point scorers that you can incorporate into your lives to boost your diploma score!

Tutor 1: Emily – University of Cambridge Graduate / English, Economics and ESS Tutor

Tutor Emily

#1 Know the criteria for your IAs – don’t hand in an internal assessment unless it’s as good as it can be!

#2 Treat your mocks as if they were your finals! The effort will pay off.

#3 Don’t make your exams your life – balance is key!

Tutor 2: Anna – University of Bristol Student / Biology and TOK Tutor

Tutor Anna

#4 Do as many past papers as you can and mark them yourself using the mark schemes. Often similar questions come up!

#5 Stay active! I was the fittest I’ve ever been during my IB exams because exercise was a great way to wind down and get rid of stress

#6 Don’t aim for a particular grade, just try to focus on doing your absolute best. Don’t get bogged down in grade boundaries, just focus on what you need to do to get as many marks as you can!

Tutor 3: Cecilia – University of Oxford Student / Biology and TOK Tutor

Tutor Cecilia

#7 Know the markschemes for past papers inside out. Write them out, use them as your notes, and practice the questions before comparing your answers to the markscheme.

#8 Organise your time effectively. Don’t spend hours re-writing things you already know. If it’s easy, then you probably already know it. Spend more time on subjects you dislike and don’t take the easy options when revising!

#9 Don’t skip over the stuff you got wrong. When you get a test or practice test back, go through the mistakes and make sure you know what you did wrong!

Tutor 4: Sofia – University of Cambridge Graduate / Chemistry, Physics and Maths Tutor

Tutor Sofia

#10 Tailor your revision! One of the biggest mistakes people can make when revising is applying the same strategy across subjects!

#11 Start working early and be consistent: it’s very tempting to leave all the work until second year, but as cliché as it sounds, consistency is key

#12 Don’t underestimate the importance of coursework: whilst exam performance can be hugely influenced by stress, illness or other unavoidable issues that emerge on the day, coursework acts as an opportunity to get some marks in the bag

Tutor 5: Zixuan – University of Oslo Student / Chemistry, Physics, Economics and Maths Tutor

Tutor Zixuan

#13 Make sure to take notes according to the syllabus

#14 Past papers and mark schemes are your best friend! Use these in combination with your notes!

#15 Switch up your working environment – it will trick your brain into thinking you’re doing something fun! E.g. try a café, a friend’s house, a library etc. I even went on a trip with my friend to London right before the exams

Tutor 6: Rachael – King’s College London Student / Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths Tutor

Tutor Rachael

#16 Studying with friends can be an amazing way of understanding new information

#17 Take breaks doing something you love that clears your mind, bonus if it keeps you super fit

#18 Choose subjects you love – this will shine through in your work!

#19 An hour more sleep is often more valuable than an hour of late night studying

Tutor 7: Erlend – University of Manchester Student / Physics and Maths Tutor

Tutor Erlend

#20 Use online resources! There are so many amazing videos and websites for IB students!

#21 Get a wall planner! Stay motivated by seeing what you’re working towards.

#22 Find true motivation. Is it impressing your teachers, making your parents proud or going to university that makes you work? Find this information and let it push you on!

#23 Find out all the info about your exams! How much time, which questions etc. Failing to know this can really cost you!

Lanterna Team
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We’re the Lanterna Team — a group of 600+ IB expert tutors, ranging from 45/45 IB graduates to IB teachers with 30+ years of teaching and examiner experience.

For over 20 years, we’ve supported tens of thousands IB students worldwide with one clear focus: making high achievement feel more doable. Our team of experienced tutors have come together to combine their deep curriculum knowledge with practical strategies that are proven to work.

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Achieving a 45 in the IB involves a holistic approach. Top scorers emphasize knowing your IA criteria, treating mocks seriously, consistent revision, effective time management, learning from mistakes, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. They also highlight the importance of using past papers and mark schemes strategically.

Internal Assessments are crucial for a top IB score. As highlighted by 45-point scorers, they are an opportunity to secure marks that aren't subject to exam day pressures. Knowing the criteria inside out and ensuring your IAs are as strong as possible can significantly contribute to your overall diploma score.

Past papers and mark schemes are invaluable tools for IB success. Top scorers recommend doing as many past papers as possible, marking them yourself, and thoroughly understanding the mark schemes. This helps you identify common question types, understand examiner expectations, and learn from your mistakes to maximize your marks.

Maintaining balance and well-being is vital for sustained performance. 45-point scorers stress the importance of not letting exams consume your life, staying active, taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and choosing subjects you genuinely enjoy. A healthy mind and body are essential for effective study and exam success.

Our tutors, many of whom are 45-point IB graduates themselves, can provide personalized guidance on implementing these strategies. They offer expert insights into IA criteria, effective revision techniques, time management, and subject-specific approaches, helping you tailor these proven tips to your unique learning style and subjects.

Absolutely. Lanterna has over 600 expert IB tutors covering all IB subjects at both Standard and Higher Levels, including Maths, Biology, Economics, English, Chemistry, Physics, and more. Our tutors are specialists in their fields, many with examiner experience, ensuring you receive top-tier, subject-specific support.

The Lanterna free IB consultation is a no-pressure, 20-30 minute chat with one of our expert IB Student Success Experts. It's designed to help you clarify your current situation, understand upcoming challenges, and walk away with a personalized plan for what to focus on next, all based on our extensive experience supporting thousands of IB students.

Yes, it's genuinely 100% free, with absolutely no obligation to book tutoring. Our goal is to provide clarity and a clear plan for your IB journey. We believe in empowering students and parents with expert advice, and if you choose to explore tutoring afterwards, that's entirely up to you.

Our Student Success Experts are highly experienced professionals with deep knowledge of the IB Diploma Programme. They act as your personal guide, helping you identify your strengths and weaknesses, set realistic goals, and develop a strategic approach to your studies. They can help you prioritize, manage stress, and ensure you're on the right track for success.

Many of Lanterna's tutors are high-achieving IB graduates, including those who scored 40+ or even 45 points, just like the tutors featured in this guide. They've mastered the IB system, understand the nuances of the curriculum and assessment, and are passionate about sharing their proven strategies and insights to help current students excel.

Effective exam preparation involves more than just studying. It includes understanding the exam format, timing, and question types, as well as consistent practice with past papers. Top scorers also recommend tailoring revision strategies to each subject and actively learning from mistakes in practice tests to optimize your performance.

It's common to feel overwhelmed by the IB. The 45-point scorers in this guide emphasize the importance of balance, taking breaks, staying active, and getting enough sleep. If you're struggling, seeking support from teachers, parents, or an expert like a Lanterna Student Success Expert can help you develop coping strategies and a manageable study plan.


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