5 Top Tips to Ace Your IB Philosophy Exam

Are you overwhelmed by IB Philosophy’s complexity, and you just can’t get your head around all the different theories? Read these 5 top tips to get yourself back in gear for acing your next philosophy exam!

1. Get an overview

Have you ever read a paragraph in a text, taken a breath, and then the terrible realisation hits that you didn’t actually understand a word? Never fear, we’ve all been there! You just need to get an overview of the text.

Resources like Wikipedia and YouTube can be great places to start, but they can be limited. For a more comprehensive overview of a longer book, for example Renee Descartes Meditations (“I study IB, therefore I am”), take a look at companion books. These will take you through the context of the work, and explain the original text in simple language.

Trust us, these can be a lifesaver for texts you need to know inside-out. Once you have an overview, the text should be a whole lot easier to get through!

2. Never stop talking!

One of the best ways to check if you properly understand a philosophical idea is to talk with your classmates. If you can explain it to someone else in simple terms, then congrats, you’ve got it!

Discussions are a central part of philosophy. If there’s something you don’t understand, perhaps a classmate does. You can also run your essay ideas past each other – everyone’s a winner!

3. Ask questions

It’s easier said than done admitting that you don’t get something in front of others, but asking questions is imperative if you want a top grade in IB Philosophy. Your teacher doesn’t expect you to master all the complex theories at the first time of asking!

Plus, we’ve all been there before when a classmate asks a question that we ourselves wanted to ask, but were too afraid to. It’s time to become that person that speaks up when you don’t understand. It’s almost guaranteed that others wanted to ask the same too.

As Socrates said, “Wisdom begins in wonder.“

4. Keep your notes in order

Sometimes the sheer amount of different theories can be overwhelming. Therefore, organised notes are imperative!

That feeling when a philosophical idea finally *clicks* into place is incredibly satisfying, but often, if you don’t keep notes, you’ll gradually lose this understanding. Write your notes in such a way that if you read them again, it would make just as much sense as when you first understood it.

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all method, and this takes a bit of practice. In the long run, however, it’s one of the most valuable skills you can have, and is useful in other academic subjects too!

5. Get a philosopher’s routine

If you really want a top grade in philosophy, this one’s for you: Never. Stop. Reading.

Those who get the best marks in IB Philosophy are those who read regularly – beyond the minimum required for the course. Try reading around the philosopher you’re studying – which other views do they have? Which theories could be used as counterarguments?

Reading one short article or a few pages every day is a great target to begin with. Before long, you’ll be speaking fluently in the language of philosophy – those exams will be a breeze!

There we have it, 5 essential tips for IB Philosophy! Stick to these and you’ll boost your grade in no time.

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Start by getting a broad overview using companion books or summaries before diving into the original text. This helps contextualise the ideas and makes the detailed reading much more manageable, allowing the concepts to "click" into place.

Discussing philosophical ideas with classmates is a powerful way to solidify your understanding. If you can explain a complex concept simply to someone else, it shows true mastery. It also helps you explore different perspectives and refine your essay arguments.

Absolutely! Asking questions is crucial for success in IB Philosophy. Teachers expect you to seek clarification on complex theories. Often, other students have the same questions but are hesitant to ask, so by speaking up, you help everyone.

Organised notes are vital given the sheer volume of theories. The key is to write them in a way that makes sense to you when you revisit them. This might involve concept maps, summaries, or comparative tables. Consistent, clear note-taking helps retain understanding long-term.

To truly ace IB Philosophy, cultivate a "philosopher's routine" by reading regularly beyond the required texts. Explore related works, counterarguments, and different interpretations. Even a short article or a few pages daily can significantly deepen your understanding and analytical skills.

Lanterna's expert tutors, many of whom scored 40+ in the IB or have extensive teaching/examiner experience, can provide personalised support. We help you break down complex theories, refine your arguments for essays, improve your critical thinking, and develop effective study strategies tailored to IB Philosophy.

The Lanterna IB consultation is a free, no-pressure 20-30 minute session with an IB Student Success Expert. It's for IB students and their parents who want clarity on their academic situation, whether it's about IB Philosophy, other subjects, or general IB challenges.

In your free consultation, you'll discuss your specific challenges and goals with an expert. You'll walk away with a clear, personalised plan, understanding your priorities and next steps for improving your IB performance, with absolutely no obligation to book tutoring.

Yes, our tutors are highly experienced in guiding students through IB Philosophy essays and the IA. They can help you develop strong research questions, structure your arguments, refine your analysis, and ensure your work meets the IB's rigorous criteria, all while upholding academic honesty.