Preparing for the IB Program: Your Roadmap

Being an IB student can be a difficult yet nurturing experience. The skills you learn in IB can be carried forward to university and life as they resonate throughout all areas of study and work.

Moreover, knowing how to tackle the 2 demanding years of IB can give you the most bang for your buck and make learning the course more efficient. As a former IB student myself I have curated the top 10 tips and strategies to prepare for IB make sure you crush your IB goals.

1. Sleep

This may come across as a shocker as more sleep means less time to work but more sleep actually means better quality of work produced and the potential to tackle more challenges. Sleep is a healing process and it helps your neurons fire effectively.

Hence, it helps you acquire and retain information better. It is easy to slack off in IB with the plethora of information being thrown at you from every angle.

Lack of sleep is the last thing you would want. Therefore, prioritize having a proper sleep schedule with at least 6-8 hours of sleep, as this is going to prevent you from the buildup of potential stress.

2. CAS

Creativity, Activity, Service. It is easy to get carried away with academics but getting CAS out of the way in your first year is the best thing you can do.

The second-year is going to require a lot more of your time such as Extended Essay, TOK essays, and Internal Assessments. Focusing on getting your CAS hours is really going to help you free up time for those other academic assignments later on.

Moreover, prioritizing the service part of CAS more than the creativity and activity is also going to aid your IB journey more so as it can be the most tedious out of the 3. Volunteering and doing projects giving back to the community is going to be your best bet at completing your service hours. Finish it as fast as you can.

3. Time Management and Procrastination

Managing time is what most IB students find challenging. Procrastination and cutting corners are not going to assist you to maximize the learning you get to prepare for IB.

Keeping a journal of all the assignments that you’re required to do and their dates could be beneficial, this will help you keep track of things and prevent procrastination. This is going to help you meet your deadlines as deadlines are one of the most important things in IB.

You will need to think forward and prioritize your work accordingly. However, if you do think that you’re going to slack off, approach and talk to the teacher of the respective subject.

This is a better alternative than approaching the teacher at the last moment where they do not have leeway to give you an extension.

4. Note Taking

It is up to you to take notes in handwriting or on your laptop. However, note-taking is a must. When you’re sitting in class, note down things that you may have more questions regarding or something you don’t understand.

Taking notes on things you already know/are familiar with may not be favorable as you will always come back to things that you do not know rather than the things you do. Note-taking on a laptop is preferred as it is easier to search up things you need to find quickly by pressing ctrl+f/ cmd+f.

You can also use google docs to work collaboratively and share notes. 

Also Read: 5 Significant Ways In Which IB Helps You In Your Life.

5. Collaborate

Working together with other peers is your best option when it comes to learning strenuous topics efficiently. Not only is it fun to learn with your friends but more points are brought to the table this way.

Always feel free to ask your peers to help you with your work/ assignments. However, know that some assignments are meant to be done individually.

Ask your teacher if collaborating is allowed. Be part of group chats/ Reddit groups to get access to study materials and getting tips from former IB students.

6. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE

Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own. You can face disregard of assignments or even termination depending on how severe your plagiarism is.

Use free websites to check for your plagiarism percentage before submitting your work and make sure it falls below 15-12%. Grammarly can also be used. If you want to use a paragraph or phrase in someone’s work there are a couple of things you can do.

•  Quoting “” the phrase directly and in-text citing the author.
•  Paraphrasing, which means to put the phrase in your own words.

IB does not take plagiarism lightly so don’t do it! Always give credit to the person you are referencing in your work.

7. Maintaining Rapport with Teachers

Teachers are going to give you a letter of recommendations, predicted grades, and the initial grading of your IA. Hence, they do hold the cards of your IB performance. Maintaining a good relationship with your teachers is essential.

They’re going to know what type of student you are and help you in your time of need. This means aiding you in areas where they feel like you need more work.

It is also going to help the teacher gauge your potential in the subject and come to an understanding in the times where you do slack off.

8. Study Guides

Investing in study guides is highly recommended as they provide concise information given in the books and are a great way for you to revise topics the night before a test/exam instead of going over the whole book.

Study guides for each subject can be found on Amazon and Flipkart. Investing in highlighter pens is also recommended to highlight points of importance in both books and study guides.

This is going to be a perfect tip to Prepare for IB exams as there is no need to cram when points are highlighted and crisp.

9. Extended Essay, Tok and IAs

Start discussing the topics you want to write your extended essay, Tok essay, and IAs on as early as the end of your first year. You should be leaving your 11th grade with confirmed topics by your teachers.

This is going to eliminate any chance of last-minute confusion because you will have the whole summer to do primary and secondary research on the topics you have chosen or even switch to a different topic.

Utilize the summer vacation to put together a very rough draft for all your assignments. This is going to help you get feedback from the teachers and polish your work as much as possible.

Your future self will thank you for this as the final months to Prepare for IB submissions can be dreadful if not pre-planned.

10. College Placements

Your performance in IB is directly going to influence which university you will be admitted into. Look into college requirements as soon as the middle portion of your 11th grade and the entirety of your summer vacation.

Get involved in activities that would paint a holistic picture of you and build up a resume. Sit with your college advisor and apply to colleges that fit your performance and gauge.

Look into early decisions, scholarships, conditional and unconditional offers, prerequisite exams such as the SATs/ IELTS. Perp for them and get them out of the way as soon as possible in your 1st year. The last thing you will want are standardized exams to be affecting your IB performance.

Having been an IB student and been through all that IB has to offer I can strongly recommend these tips and strategies to prepare for IB students. Know that there will be low points where you will slack off, demotivated, and will need extra assistance because IB is a challenging course designed to bring the best out of the student.

Make sure to have fun and make lasting relationships and friends along the way. School is not everything.

Socialize and form connections with people and Prepare for IB learner profile: Appreciation, Commitment, Creativity, Confidence, Curiosity, Cooperation, Empathy, Enthusiasm, Independence, Integrity, Respect, and Tolerance.

One last major point I would like to conclude with is to have a proper support system in place for the difficult times, whether that be a teacher, counselor, therapist, friends, or even your parents who constantly and consistently have your back. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the best way to prepare for IBDP exams?

A: The most effective way to prepare for IBDP exams is to start early and stay organized. Create a study schedule and stick to it, focusing on the topics and subjects that you find most challenging.

Q2: What resources are available to help prepare for IBDP exams?

A: There are a variety of resources available to help students prepare for IBDP exams, including study guides, textbooks, past papers, and online resources such as Khan Academy and IB Resources. Additionally, many schools offer review sessions and study groups led by teachers or upperclassmen.

Q3: How important is time management when preparing for IBDP exams?

A: Time management is crucial when preparing for IBDP exams, as the exams cover a wide range of topics and require a deep understanding of the material. Students should prioritize their studies, set aside regular study time, and make sure to leave enough time for reviewing and practicing past exams.

Q4: What study strategies are most effective for preparing for IBDP exams?

A: Effective study strategies for preparing for IBDP exams include active reading, note-taking, and reviewing the material regularly. Students should also practice answering past exam questions and work on developing their critical thinking and analysis skills.

Q5: What role do teachers and mentors play in preparing for IBDP exams?

A: Teachers and mentors can be valuable resources in preparing for IBDP exams. They can offer guidance on study strategies, provide feedback on past papers and essays, and help students better understand difficult concepts. It’s important to communicate with teachers and mentors regularly to ensure you are on track with your studies.

Further reading: 

The International Baccalaureate (IB)