The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global leader in education. Their programs help students develop future-ready skills to make a difference and thrive in a world that changes fast. IB offers many diverse programs for all students and it includes problem-solving assignments and quizzes. Its syllabus and curriculum are more focused on personal research and application. Their exams are tough and their grading system is more rigorous as compared to other boards.
This is why, while preparing for the IB Board exams, it is important to plan and follow a study guide for the students. The guide will help the students to properly cover all the topics of their subjects across the school year. It’s always better to make a schedule beforehand so that there is enough time for revision left for the students. Regardless of the subjects chosen, the student must put in a tremendous amount of effort to succeed in the IB tests.
While planning a study guide, it is important for the students to not set impossible goals for themselves or they would not be able to follow their own scheduled timetable. They should keep their timetable as simple and attainable as possible. Students are advised to make different plans for studying and revision. The plans should be weekly based. A format for both study and revision plans is given below.
The weekly IB study plan format is made so that the students can set timed goals for each day of the week and study in the same hourly pattern that they are taught in their schools. They are advised to take short breaks between their study hours to relax their minds. The students are advised to use this format and organize their after-school hours however they like. This format is made while considering the fact that their school ends at 4 o’clock and they are home till 5 o’clock.
The weekly IB revision plan format, on the other hand, is to be followed during vacations and holidays. The students should plan ahead for their exams using this format and should revise what they were taught in the school. This will help them prepare ahead for exams and also avoid last-minute cramming.
The students should not go overboard while assigning themselves hourly tasks. The tasks should be manageable. Following an IB study or revision plan would motivate the students to be more productive and they would tend to procrastinate less and less as time goes on.
After organizing the hourly tasks, the students should also write the important days such as the submission day for any assignment in their IB study plan. This will constantly remind the students about their deadlines and they will be able to complete their assignments on time.
If a student is unable to follow their plans for the day due to some issues then they should not be regretful and instead, just make the most of their resources and time which are available at their disposal. They should know that regret won’t do them any good and that progress is more vital than anything else when studying. Developing a habit of following a schedule would appear as challenging because a student might have more responsibilities on their shoulders that might be more important than their studies. But if they overcome this challenge and create a system such that their responsibilities and studies are both completed without sacrificing the other, then they will be able to score maximum grades in the complex IB Board exams.
While following the IB study and revision plans, it is important to be aware of the exam pattern of the IB Board as well. If the student knows the pattern of the exam then they will have no difficulty in studying and practicing the questions about the important topics of any particular subject. Knowing the exam pattern also helps in making short notes and in handpicking the right materials for the subject.
It is crucial for a student to stay relaxed during their revision process. While sticking to the study plans, they are advised to follow the instructions given below for a good revision session which will aid in the preparation for their exams:
The students must use the IB plans and physically do the work and accomplish the tasks to achieve their goals. Students must put their plans into action in order to get results because if they only keep planning and take no action, then they will only lose time and will score poorly on their exams. The whole intent of the IB curriculum is to integrate a world-class education within students so that they grow up to be global citizens and apply the knowledge in the real world. Instead of only memorizing their notes, the students should try learning and understanding the material. This will make the study/revision process much more enjoyable and enlightening.
It is very important to attempt the past IB exams of all the subjects during or after the revision. It gives the student an idea about the exam pattern and makes them aware of the format of the questions. They are also advised to time the tests while attempting them.
The whole idea of following the IB revision plan will be destroyed if the student procrastinates. If they slack off too many days and avoid studying for long periods of time then it will inevitably come down to last-minute cramming which will create panic in their mind. So, every student is advised to not put off their studies and to be regular in order to be triumphant in the IB exams.
The students should make use of their short notes and should use flashcards for quick reference and revision. Besides this, the students should follow the popular Pomodoro technique for learning anything. The steps of the technique are:
This technique is found to be really effective by people across the world and it will help the students to manage their time well.
While organizing the study hours in the revision and study plans, students should also leave room for some exercise. Some light exercise along with a balanced diet will do wonders for the student’s body and mind and then they will be able to withstand any physical or mental strain. Studies show that exercise boosts brainpower by generating more oxygen for the brain. So, if possible, the students are advised to exercise just before they study or revise, which will help their brains to function better.
By following these instructions the revision sessions would not seem a burden and every student would have fun while preparing for their exams.
The IB curriculum might be tough and challenging but if a student follows the IB weekly schedules religiously throughout their school year then no one can stop them from scoring high grades in their exams.
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Each of IB subject is graded on a scale of 1 – 7. 70 – 76% Grade is considered as 3.
Every year there is only 1% students who got 45 in their IB.
For the majority of sciences courses and arts courses, Cambridge typically requires A*AA or 40–42 IB points, including core points, with 776 at Higher Level.
The IB itself suggests 150 hours for SL (Standard Level) and 240 hours for HL (Higher Level) subjects. In comparison to SL, subjects at HL are studied in greater depth and breadth.
Pomodoro Technique: It is one of the best study and time management techniques.
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