Understanding the IB Grading System
Each IB subject is graded on a scale of 1-7, with 7 being the highest. Your six subjects contribute up to 42 points. TOK and the Extended Essay together can add up to 3 bonus points, for a maximum total of 45.
A score of 7 typically requires demonstrating deep understanding, making connections across topics, and applying knowledge to unfamiliar situations — not just memorising facts. This is where your revision strategy needs to go beyond rote learning.
Grade boundaries vary by subject and examination session. Use the current subject guide, assessment criteria and official results information instead of planning around an assumed percentage.
Managing the IB Workload
1. Front-Load Your Internal Assessments
IAs (Internal Assessments) are coursework components that count toward your final grade. Finish your IAs as early as possible — ideally by the end of Year 1 or early Year 2. Every week your IAs are unfinished is a week you can't fully dedicate to exam revision. Many top-scoring IB students cite completing IAs early as the single biggest factor in their success.
2. Don't Let TOK and EE Consume Your Revision Time
TOK and the Extended Essay are important (up to 3 bonus points), but they shouldn't crowd out subject revision in the final months. Set hard boundaries: dedicate specific days or time blocks to TOK/EE and protect your subject revision time outside those blocks. A strong 7 in a subject is worth more than an extra bonus point from TOK.
3. Balance HL and SL Subjects
Higher Level subjects have significantly more content than Standard Level. A common mistake is spending equal time on all six subjects. Allocate time proportionally: HL subjects need roughly 40% more revision time than SL subjects. Your three HL subjects combined should take up about 60% of your total revision time.
Subject-Specific IB Revision Strategies
Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
IB science exams reward precise terminology and the ability to apply concepts to unfamiliar scenarios. Focus on:
- Command terms: IB uses specific command terms — "state," "describe," "explain," "discuss," "evaluate," "compare." Know exactly what each one asks for. "Explain" questions are worth the most marks in Paper 2.
- Data-based questions: Papers include graphs and tables you've never seen before. Practice interpreting unfamiliar data — describe the trend, calculate rates, suggest explanations.
- Internal Assessment knowledge: You can be asked about your IA methodology. Know your variables, controls, uncertainty calculations, and evaluation of your method.
- Flashcards for definitions and mechanisms: Create cards for every key term, formula, and process. Use AI flashcard generation to turn your notes into recall questions quickly.
Mathematics (AA / AI)
The only way to revise maths is to do maths. Work through problems daily:
- Question bank first, textbook second: The IB question bank contains exam-style problems. Prioritise these over textbook exercises.
- Know your calculator: Both Analysis & Approaches and Applications & Interpretation require strong GDC (graphic display calculator) skills. Practice every function you'll need — graphing, solving, statistics, calculus.
- Create cards for formulas not in the formula booklet: Some formulas must be memorised. Flashcard them.
Humanities (History, Economics, Psychology, Geography)
Essay-based IB subjects test your ability to construct arguments, evaluate evidence, and reach conclusions:
- Plan essays, don't write full ones: In revision, the value is in structuring arguments, not handwriting practice. Plan 3-4 essays per topic: write the introduction, thesis, and topic sentences for each paragraph. Write one full essay per week under timed conditions.
- Flashcards for key studies, dates, and theories: For Psychology, create cards for each study (researcher, method, findings, evaluation). For History, cards for key events with dates and significance. For Economics, cards for diagrams and real-world examples.
- Learn real-world examples: IB Economics Paper 1 requires real-world examples to reach the highest mark band. Build a bank of examples across micro, macro, and international economics.
Your IB Revision Timetable
With six subjects, a structured timetable is essential. Here's a framework:
- 6-12 weeks before exams: Rotate through subjects in blocks. Monday = HL subjects, Tuesday = SL subjects, etc. Within each day, alternate passive review (reading, watching videos) with active practice (flashcards, problems).
- 4-6 weeks before: Full past papers under timed conditions. At least one per subject per week. Review every mistake and create a flashcard for the concepts you got wrong.
- 2-3 weeks before: Target your weakest topics. Daily flashcard review of all subjects. One more full paper per subject.
- Final week: Light review of summary sheets. Prioritise sleep. IB exams are a marathon — 2-3 weeks of exams, often with multiple papers per day. You need to be physically and mentally rested.
Study Tools That Help
The right tools make a significant difference:
- AI flashcards: Knowyio converts your IB notes into Q&A flashcards automatically, saving hours of manual card creation. Built-in spaced repetition schedules reviews at the optimal interval.
- IB question banks: Your school should provide access to official IB question banks. Use them — they contain past exam questions organised by topic.
- Study groups: Explaining concepts to peers reveals gaps in your own understanding. Knowyio's study groups feature lets you share decks and track progress together.
- Practice quizzes: Knowyio's quiz mode generates multiple-choice questions from your decks, helping you test deeper understanding beyond simple recall.
Start Your IB Revision
The IB rewards consistent, organised effort over last-minute cramming. Start building your flashcard system today — every day you delay is a day of spaced repetition you can't get back. Create your first AI-powered IB flashcard deck or browse our ready-made IB flashcards.