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When to begin IB revision? 

IB exams begin as early as late April for some subjects, and your revision perhaps begins in earnest with your mock exams, which generally take place early in your final year of IB study.  

Revising for mocks will give you an opportunity to test what it is like to revise course material you’ve already covered, and rehearse some of the revision techniques that will become so crucial later on in the year. Mocks also generally mark the boundary of original subject material you will be expected to learn, and this is a good time for teachers and students to take stock of what has been learned – and start thinking in earnest about the summer exams to come. 

Most students find it useful to create a timetable for their revision even at this early stage. Though timetabling becomes even more crucial when your school days are dissolved and you are expected to take responsibility for your own study. 

Where to begin IB revision? 

Revision obviously implies going back over subject material you have already learned. But a useful place to really begin is to check in with your subject teachers and get a list of the topics, themes and texts you will need to know, as well as having access to exam past papers, to make sure that you understand the boundaries of what you are expected to know.  

Best techniques for IB revision 

Effective revision is often about making the familiar new again, or memorable. It’s an effort to commit facts and processes to memory - you need to somehow revitalise the information, to give your brain a fighting chance. This is also about making the revision process itself interesting, in among the routine or methodical stuff. Visualisation is an ideal way to bring these things together.  

1. Creating placemats is one way of breaking down a subject and topic. Firstly break the subject you wish to revise into easily defined topics e.g. Cells. Then take an A4 piece of paper and split into sections as shown in the diagram below. In one section, note all key points included in the topic: use textbooks, notes and revision guides to help you with this process. Next, list all of the key words in a new area. Again you can use textbooks, notes and revision guides to help you. These tend to be the words you will get marks for in exams so it’s crucial that you remember them all for each topic. In a separate section, draw any key diagrams you have learnt in this topic or subject. Finally, populate one section with any exam questions - or questions you need help with from your teacher.
2. Many students find mind maps and excellent way to visualise complex subject material. Firstly, write the main theme or question in the centre of the page. This becomes the hub of your mind map; draw a box or circle around this hub text. Draw a line from the hub to a core fact or idea; draw a box or circle around the new text. This becomes a node on your mind map. Repeat these steps for additional facts or ideas you wish to note. You can link any additional information or details out from any of the nodes. .  
3. Flash or index cards are a good way to keep on top of revision, as you can carry then with you and test yourself at any time, at home or on the move, in the car or train or whenever you have an odd moment. Create these by aiming to summarise your topic in a few words and adding that summary to a small ruled card: you can pick these up in any stationary store or make them at home. Use your own words to reprocess any information from books or notes, which improves your understanding and your memory. Keep the notes brief to act as prompts. Organise your notes in new ways on the cards – perhaps providing an overview of a topic on one, and then notes around sub-topics on others. Try using colour as an aid to memory.

How to help your child with IB revision 

The exam period can be a stressful one for students, perhaps especially when it comes to studying for the IB Diploma. The exam or testing process across so many subjects, which ramps up over the two years, with oral exams and TOK and extended essays, can seem endlessly drawn out. Students can feel like they have been working on some sort of assessment or other for months on end. 

Knowing how or when to step in as a parent can be something of a minefield, as not all students need the same help, or respond to help in the same way. It is however always a good idea to try and get a handle on key dates and deadlines, with some sort of exam timetable visible, so everybody is on the same page.  

It’s worth remembering that – at this late stage in their course of study – the students are really the experts and it’s often worth giving them the space they need. 

That said, a few rules are well worth following. Reward young people for the efforts they make, have high expectations but don’t put pressure on them to succeed. Do the basics like providing regular and balanced meals: skipping meals and snacking is common but unhelpful. Be there for your child, who will come to you if they need you, but recognise if they are struggling - and be prepared to find an expert or tutor to help if it’s outside your area of expertise.  

How can I succeed in IB exams? 

There is finally no substitute for knowing your subject material very well, but you also have to be fresh and motivated, so finding the right revision-life balance is a core component of successful performance.  

The volume of material you’ll have to know is large so start your revision early. During term-time it’s a good idea to schedule short, 15 minute revision slots for each subject, or subjects that you feel you need an early boost with. It’s important to get used to prioritising your study as early as possible as this is a skill in itself.  

Starting early - and effective scheduling - is the best way to avoid burn out. Scheduling days off during the week, and focussing only on morning or afternoon sessions on weekend days, is an essential part of the process. This and realistic target setting are crucial in ensuring you can revise in a good state of mind.  

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