Last-Minute IB Exam Strategy: Your Guide to Scoring 40+
Alright, let's get straight to it. You're in the final stretch before your IB exams, and you're aiming high. Scoring over 40 points puts you in the top 5-7% of students globally—it's a massive achievement that requires smart and focused work right up to the finish line. This isn't about cramming an entire two-year course in a week. It's about strategic refinement, avoiding common mistakes, and making sure all your hard work pays off when it matters most.
Think of this as your final checklist. Here’s what top-performing students focus on in the last few weeks, and what they absolutely avoid.
The "Must-Do" List for Peak Performance
These are the high-leverage actions that will make the biggest difference in your final scores.
1. Master the IB Command Terms
This is non-negotiable. You can know your content perfectly, but if you "describe" when the question asks you to "evaluate," you’re throwing away marks. The IB is very specific about these terms.
- Action: Create a quick glossary for each subject. For example, what's the difference between "Analyze" (break down into components) and "To what extent" (consider the merits and then judge)? Practice applying these terms to past paper questions.
2. Live and Breathe Past Papers
If you do only one thing from this list, make it this one. Past papers are the single most effective way to prepare. They train you for the question style, structure, and timing of the real exam.
- Action: Complete full past papers under strict, timed conditions. No phone, no distractions. Then, mark your work meticulously using the official mark scheme. Don't just look at your score; understand exactly where you lost marks and why. Was it a content gap, a misread question, or a poor explanation?
The Lanterna Tip: Analyzing one past paper thoroughly is more valuable than completing three papers and never looking at the mark scheme. Quality over quantity is key here, especially since the questions tend to be repetitive.
3. Use Your Syllabus as a Final Checklist
The subject guides aren't just for your teachers; they are a direct roadmap of everything you can be tested on. Use them to your advantage.
- Action: Go through each syllabus point for your subjects. Create a traffic light system: Green (I know this inside-out), Yellow (I need a quick review), and Red (This is a weak area). Focus your final revision sessions on turning those Reds and Yellows into Greens.
4. Switch to Active Recall
Passively re-reading your notes is one of the least effective ways to study. Your brain needs to be actively retrieving information to strengthen memory pathways.
- Action: Use flashcards (digital like Anki or physical), get a friend to quiz you, or try explaining a complex topic out loud to someone who knows nothing about it. If you can teach it, you know it.
5. Show Your Working (Especially in Maths & Sciences)
Examiners aren't mind-readers. In subjects like Mathematics and the Sciences, method marks are a lifesaver. You can get most of the marks for a question even with an incorrect final answer if your method is correct.
- Action: Write down every single step of your calculation. State the formula you're using. Include units in your final answer. Don't throw away these easy marks.
6. Protect Your Well-being Like a Grade 7
High performance requires a healthy mind in a healthy body. Burnout is the enemy of a 40+ score. Don't treat sleep, food, and breaks as optional extras; they are a core part of your revision strategy.
- Action: Schedule 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Stay hydrated. Eat nutritious meals. Take short, scheduled breaks away from your desk. A 15-minute walk can do more for your focus than an extra 30 minutes of exhausted cramming.
The "Must-Avoid" List: Common Traps for High-Achievers
Getting a top score is as much about avoiding mistakes as it is about doing the right things. Steer clear of these pitfalls.
1. The All-Nighter Cram Session
Trying to learn a whole topic the night before an exam is a recipe for disaster. It leads to shallow knowledge, confusion, and exhaustion. Your brain processes and consolidates information during sleep, so sacrificing it is counter-productive.
2. Neglecting Your Weaker Subjects
It's tempting to focus on the subjects you enjoy, but to get 40+ points, you need strong scores across the board. A 5 in a subject you dislike can easily derail your goal. Give your weaker subjects prioritized, focused attention.
3. Calculator Mishaps & Rounding Errors
These are the "silly mistakes" that can cost you a grade boundary. Always carry intermediate calculations to as many decimal places as possible, and only round your final answer to the required significant figures. Double-check your calculator is in the correct mode (degrees vs. radians!) and that its batteries are fresh.
4. Vague, Un-supported Answers
In essay subjects like History, English, or Economics, generic statements won't get you into the top mark bands. You must back up every point with specific evidence, examples, data, or quotes. Use frameworks like PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) to ensure your paragraphs are structured and well-supported.
Final Reminder: The Core Matters!
While you're focused on exams, remember that your IAs, TOK, and EE are already banking you points. Your IAs typically make up 20-30% of your final grade in a subject, and a good TOK/EE score can add up to 3 crucial bonus points. Make sure they were finished to the best of your ability!
