How to Study for IB Exams: Proven Strategies

Preparing for International Baccalaureate (IB) exams is what’s sometimes known as an “elephant task”. In other words, a large, daunting task that can feel overwhelming. However, the way to successfully tackle any elephant task is similar: start early, break down the job into small manageable chunks, and learn from the experts. This guide provides a proven step-by-step approach designed specifically to help IB students ace their exams.

Key Takeaways

• Start early and revise consistently - IB exams reward long-term understanding, not last-minute cramming.

• Master the exam format for every subject: IB papers follow predictable patterns you must learn.

• Build a structured, flexible study plan that balances all subjects and prevents burnout.

• Use past papers and mark schemes - they’re the most effective tools for improving technique and outcomes.

• Prioritise active revision methods like spaced repetition, active recall and teaching others.

When to Start Studying for IB Exams

After each lesson (or each topic) you should review your notes, revision resources and related exam questions. This approach will increase long-term recall and ensure there are fewer gaps in your knowledge. In the run up to your exams, you should start revising more intensely. Here’s a suggested timeline:

6 months before exams

• Begin low-intensity review of core content.

• Start revising your weakest subjects first. Some students use a traffic light system: green = secure knowledge; amber = need to recap; red = area of weakness. Go through the syllabus to identify what you need to work on.

• Revisit key topics using flashcards or similar.

3–4 months before exams

• Shift to structured revision. Use the relevant SME revision resources.

• Create a weekly study timetable covering all subjects. The Adapt revision app (or AI) should help speed up this process.

• Start integrating past paper questions into your routine. Use these in conjunction with mark schemes.

2 months before exams

• Increase your exam-practice focus.

• Complete timed papers and mark them with official mark schemes.

• Fill gaps: Any topic you consistently underperform in needs additional attention.

Final month

• Move into consolidation mode.

• Focus on exam technique, timing and stress management.

• Use active recall daily. No new content unless essential.

• Be kind to yourself - make sure you get enough rest, try to exercise and eat well.

Understand the IB Exam Format

To study effectively, you must know exactly what each exam expects. The IB is structured and highly predictable once you understand the patterns. These will vary subject to subject, so past papers should be your primary source of reference. Below is an overview of a typical exam paper format:

Paper 1

• Multiple-choice or short-answer.

• Tests breadth of knowledge rather than deep explanation.

• Requires quick recall - great for flashcard-based revision.

Paper 2

• Long-answer or structured responses.

• Assesses deeper understanding and the ability to link concepts.

• Often includes data-based or source-based questions.

Paper 3 - Higher Level (HL) only

• More specialised.

• Tests extensions or options unique to HL courses.

• Usually contains unseen material requiring application of knowledge.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that exam preparation will vary for Standard Level (SL) and  Higher Level (HL) exams. Overall, SL exams test core content, requiring strong foundational knowledge and clear explanations. Whereas Higher Level (HL) exams test deeper conceptual understanding, requiring more complex data analysis, longer writing sections or tougher problem-solving.

Build a Personalised IB Study Plan

A good study plan keeps you organised, focused and calm. Students often juggle IB commitments alongside many other year-13 necessities, such as university interviews, super-curricular and extracurricular activities. It’s going to be a busy year! Here’s how to build an effective revision timetable:

• Start with a subject audit: Rank your subjects from strongest to weakest. Allocate your time appropriately (including dedicating more time to HL subjects).

• Break content into manageable chunks: Divide each subject into topics or units. Add them to your calendar so nothing gets overlooked.

• Pomodoro Technique: Short, frequent review sessions outperform long, infrequent cramming sessions. Aim for: 45–60 minutes work; 5–10 minutes break. Rotate subjects daily to avoid cognitive fatigue.

• Play to your strengths: If you’re a night owl, study more difficult topics in the evening; if you’re a lark, use your mornings to do the same.

• Build in buffer time: Life happens - illness, school events and never-ending deadlines. Leave gaps in your timetable for catch-up time.

• Review weekly: Any revision timetable should be a live document. Check your progress every week. If your plan isn’t working, adjust it.

Use Past Papers and Mark Schemes

Past papers and mark schemes are the single most powerful tools for IB exam success. They reveal patterns, common phrasing and the exact level of detail examiners expect. Here’s how to get the most out of these resources:

• Start small: Begin with individual questions, not full papers. After each question, check your answer against the mark scheme, and amend accordingly. Initially, do not focus on the marks - instead focus on the process: practice makes perfect.

• Get into the mind of the examiners: Mark schemes show how and when marks are awarded. For example, how many knowledge or application marks for a particular question. They also show what examiners ignore or do not credit.

• Correct your own work: Write in black and correct in green. Keep a note of where you lost marks (so as not to repeat the same mistakes).

• Simulate exam conditions: When you can consistently score well without time pressures, move to timed practice. IB exams are intense - and time is your enemy. As you move towards your final exams, try to complete entire sections of past papers within strict time constraints. 

Active Revision Techniques That Work

The key word is active - research has shown that passive methods of revision (e.g. reading, copying notes word-for-word, watching revision videos) are ineffective. Below are some examples of high-impact active revision methods that will work for IB students.

• Spaced repetition: Spreading out study sessions over time (e.g. studying a topic for 30 minutes every few days) rather than cramming. The gap between sessions forces active retrieval. Use flashcards for formulas, definitions, quotes and key terms.

• Active recall: Actively testing yourself on material without looking at your notes. This is a highly effective method of revision. For example, after you have revised a topic, close your notes and write down everything you remember. Then go back, identify the gaps, and repeat.

• Teach your peers: This is the ultimate win-win method of revision - students who “teach” topics to other students tend to have incredibly high recall levels. Needless to say, their peers benefit too.

• Cornell notes: This is a structured method of note-taking that improves understanding and revision. You take detailed notes on the right, create cue questions on the left to test yourself, and write a short summary at the bottom. This system builds active recall, keeps notes organised, and makes review sessions faster and more effective.

• Mind maps: Excellent for many subjects including Biology, Psychology and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) which rely on conceptual connections.

• Exam-style writing drills: For essay subjects (e.g. English, History, Economics). Practise writing introductions and conclusions - the way marks are allocated for these sections tends to be formulaic, so becoming familiar with the format will stand you in good stead.

• Mixed-practice sessions: Blend topics rather than studying them in isolation. IB exams often mix content, so your revision should too (especially when the exams are fast approaching). Understanding how different topics interlink will make you a more rounded student too.

How to Stay Motivated During IB Exam Season

IB exam season is long, demanding and mentally draining. You may end up with an unfavourable exam timetable too (e.g. three exams in two days). Here are some practical motivation and wellbeing tips:

• Set realistic weekly goals: Avoid long unrealistic to-do lists. Instead, you could set yourself three academic goals (e.g. revise a topic or practice a section of an exam paper) and three wellbeing goals (e.g. sleep or exercise).

• Track your progress: If you keep a note of everything you have done to prepare for the exams, looking back will help keep you motivated - use checklists, progress bars or revision calendars. Remember, the exams are the peak of the mountain. It’s better to look down at the ground you’ve already covered.

• Study with your peers: Group sessions keep you grounded and enable you to share knowledge. Group work is also great for problem-solving - share the load; tackle hard questions together.

• Build rest into your routine: Burnout destroys productivity - it can also lead to insomnia and sickness, both of which will be hugely detrimental during the exam season. Try to take one full rest day every week.

• Manage setbacks: If you have a bad exam, view this as an opportunity to learn. Review what went wrong and bring this additional knowledge into your next exam. Also, try to avoid discussing exams with other students - joint exam post mortems can be utterly demoralising.

• Control the controllables: It’s impossible to predict the exact questions, so don’t spend time trying to second guess the examiner. Instead, focus on your plan, your progress and your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours a day should I study for IB exams?

Quality beats quantity. During school months: 1–2 hours per weekday, 3–4 per weekend day. During study leave: 4–6 hours of focused work with breaks. More than 7 hours daily usually leads to burnout, not better results.

What’s the best way to revise multiple IB subjects?

Rotate subjects daily. Pair one heavy subject (HL Sciences, HL Maths, History) with lighter tasks (language vocab, flashcards, reading). Use weekly schedules to keep all subjects fresh.

How do I study for HL exams vs SL?

HL requires more past paper practice, deeper conceptual understanding and mastery of data-based and application questions. SL focuses more on core content, but both levels demand consistency and active recall.

Final Thoughts

IB exams are challenging, but they’re manageable with the right approach. Start early, use active revision methods and rely heavily on past papers and mark schemes. Form study circles with the smartest and most driven students in your year group. Build a realistic study plan, protect your wellbeing and track your progress. With the right plan and disciplined execution, you can walk into every exam confident, prepared and proud of the work you’ve done.

References

• Save My Exams - International Baccalaureate (IB) revision: https://www.savemyexams.com/dp/ 

• Adapt revision app: (opens in a new tab)https://getadapt.co.uk/ (opens in a new tab)

• Improving Students' Learning With Effective Learning Techniques: Promising Directions From Cognitive and Educational Psychology:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26173288/ (opens in a new tab)