10 study tips to ace IB exams in 2025

What to do before and during the exam.

Written by Anzhelika Tauber, MSc

IB exams are structured in a unique way that creates its own nuances and difficulties. Simply studying for the exam might not be sufficient when it comes to the IB. One needs to understand the exam structure, requirements, time constraints and peculiarities. And the worst thing that can happen is coming to the exam and being caught off guard by things not meeting your expectations. That is why we created a list of 10 things that IB students should know to successfully prepare for their IB exams, no matter the subject. These 10 IB exam tips cover more than just exam preparations but also what to watch out for at the exam.

10 study tips that IB students should know to successfully prepare for their IB exams, no matter the subject.

1. Time management is key

Time management is important for both the exam preparations and for the exam itself. In terms of exam preparations you need to make sure that you revise and practise all the material in the limited time you have, most likely juggling other hundred assignments and tasks. That is why to efficiently prepare for the exam we suggest creating a study plan of all the things that will be covered at the exam. Then start studying with the most challenging topic finishing with the one you understand the most. Tackling the hard topics first will also help reduce the exam anxiety as you won’t be concerned with the idea of having topics you don’t understand and being afraid of getting them at the exam anymore.

At the exam you will also need to manage your time efficiently to make sure you finish all the papers and questions in time. During an exam you are given a certain amount of time per paper. Break down that time into intervals finishing the easiest tasks first and then going to the harder questions. This way you guarantee that you collect all the marks for the stuff you know and have enough time to work out the challenging questions. Thankfully, at the IB exams every question indicates the number of marks that corresponds to the number of key points you need to make, allowing you to identify how much time each question will require and distribute your time accordingly. Importantly, do not leave any questions unanswered, especially those in the end of the paper as it shows bad time management.

2. Know your IB command terms

All IB questions are formulated in a way that requires understanding of the IB command terms. And there are many of them! And each of them asks for a specific action to be performed. Therefore, to avoid confusion, misunderstanding and disparity from not knowing what you are required to do we recommend going over the IB command terms before the exam! You cannot imagine how much easier it will be to answer the question knowing if you need to write a list of differences or similarities when you are asked to compare two things. The list of all the command terms can be found in your syllabus or down this link. Read them over before going to the exam in order to know exactly how to answer each question.

3. Go over past IB papers and practice, practice and practice!

Going over past papers is an absolute must if you want to pass the exams successfully and with ease. It will allow you to practise those command terms and exam-style questions. That is why we recommend doing as many past papers as possible. Start easy, use anything you need to answer the questions correctly and build up confidence. Be sure, however, to progress to practising the past papers as you were at the exam, with time constraints and with only permitted resources, e.g. subject guide or a calculator. Practising past papers lets you revise the material but it also makes you faster and more efficient in solving exam-style questions which will help you with the time management at the exam itself. A great source of past papers that we recommend is Revision Village.

What is CAS?<br />
CAS stands for Creativity, Activity, and Service. It is an essential component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, designed to develop well-rounded individuals who are actively engaged in their communities. CAS encourages students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and contribute positively to society.

4. Read questions carefully! Watch out for negations!

One of the students pitfalls at the IB exams is being overwhelmed or nervous under pressure and not reading the questions carefully enough. Or being too fast and overlooking small details like “nots”. Questions like – “Which statement is NOT correct” or “Which statement is INcorrect” are tricky as the “not” or “in-” is often overlooked. Pay attention to the negation in the questions AND when choosing the answer as two almost identical answers can be included that differ just by one not.

5. Less is more, do not overthink!

Each question has a certain number of marks that determines how many major key points it includes. If it’s only two, write only two! Do not overthink and do not try to show off your knowledge by writing more. You will only lose time. Identify the required key points, write them down and move on!

6. Focus on your handwriting

Make sure your handwriting is clear and easy to understand as unreadable answers, no matter if they are correct or not, will not give you any points. Write slower, take your time and go over your writing before submission to confirm that everything is nice and clear.

7. Proofread your answers

Isn’t it tempting to just hand in your papers and get it over with? But we could not emphasise this enough – proofread your papers! Small errors are easy to overlook but they might make a huge difference when it comes to the final grade. Revise the questions and your answers to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Sit back, clear your mind and take a fresh look at your answers.

8. Ignore distractions

Be ready for everything! Pens dropping, people sneezing, lights being too bright, AC being too loud. Whatever it is, do not let it affect you! Focus on yourself and your work and block out all the distractions around you.

9. Organise your workspace

Did you know that your workspace has a direct influence on your performance? But it does not mean that everyone has to perfectly organise their desk. If you thrive in chaos – create chaos, if you are into a perfectly ordered desk – do that. The important thing is – you have to feel comfortable at your workspace and know where all your materials are, so as to not waste time looking for them.

10. Create an exam checklist and bring extra materials

Imagine, you are tired, you are sleepy, your head is somewhere else and you are totally bummed out about the upcoming exam. The result – you forget essential materials for the exam, such as pens and a calculator. So to avoid such situations, create a checklist for the exams and quickly go over to make sure you have all you need to pass the exam successfully! And make sure to pack more than you think you will need! Having extra pens, pencils, etc will prevent any panic situations in case you run out of the ink in one of the pens. And have a bottle of water too! Hydration is generally important but drinking can also help reduce accumulating anxiety.

2025 updates:

With the IB making adjustments for 2025, you should be aware of changes in some subject syllabuses, exam formats and digital exam implementations. Notable changes include modifications to the Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation syllabus, which now places a greater emphasis on real-world data analysis and practical applications. In Biology and Chemistry, certain topics have been restructured for better conceptual understanding, with more focus on experimental design and data interpretation. Business Management has seen an update in case study requirements, ensuring students analyse contemporary business scenarios. Additionally, Language A subjects now have revised assessment criteria that place greater importance on comparative analysis. Ensure you check the most recent syllabus guide for your subjects to be fully prepared.

Final words

Following these simple steps will eliminate a lot of pressure and exam anxiety. All that will be left to do is study for the exam, the rest, you have already taken care of. And important is that these tips apply to every IB subject and even beyond IB, so making it your routine will help you throughout all your studies.

About the Author

Anzhelika is a PhD candidate in Genetics and a marketing consultant at U4Success from Vienna, Austria. She leads our website and social media content strategy.