You’ve studied for months but your scores still aren’t moving.
You’ve done past papers, yet somehow:
- You still lose marks on questions you know
- You run out of time
- And your grades don’t reflect your effort
With the May 2026 exams just over 1 month away, the countdown has officially begun. You might be feeling that familiar, frustrating cycle:
- You’ve covered the content, but still lose marks in exams
- You’ve done past papers, but scores aren’t improving
- You run out of time, even when you “know” the questions
At this stage, you don’t have time to re-read entire textbooks. The next 30 days are about working smarter, not harder. Our goal is to:
- Get comfortable with how questions are tested
- Understand exactly how marks are awarded
- Fix the mistakes that keep repeating
This guide is designed to help you do that efficiently and effectively.
1. Must-Have IB Study Resources (Condensed & Exam-Focused)
Instead of relying on full textbooks, focus on concise, exam-oriented summaries. We’ve curated a collection of essential, exam-focused summaries that our top-scoring students swear by.
IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/14lye2d78m1pugayaj8cp/APEr6xq6Ir8zVHF5xtzTRWs?rlkey=66punngk4n4j7tf0w6x2csaqb&st=pkzbpzmt&dl=0
2. IB Past Papers (How to Use Them Properly)
Past papers are the most important resource, but only if you use them with a clear system.
Access the full library here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yt96dq04c9kshxlnev5zu/h?rlkey=uu2qmw2gjymbjj07okkiwxy29&st=xa3qgcrc&dl=0
Step 1: Start with Topic-Based Practice
Do not jump straight into full papers. Instead:
- Math >> 15–20 questions from one topic (e.g. differentiation)
- Economics >> only 10-mark explain/evaluate questions
- Chemistry >> one chapter at a time
Your Goal is to recognise patterns in how questions are tested.
Step 2: Add Time Pressure
Once you understand the topic:
- Work under strict timing (≈ 1.5 minutes per mark)
- No notes
If you cannot finish on time, the issue is usually slow working speed or poor familiarity with question types
Step 3: Mark Against the Scheme (Line by Line)
Do not just check your final answer. Instead:
- Compare your answer to the mark scheme point by point
- Identify missing keywords, missing steps and incorrect structure
This is where most marks are actually lost.
Step 4: Keep a Correction Book
After each session, record:
- The question
- What you did wrong
- The correct method
Before your next session, redo those same questions. If you cannot redo them correctly, you have not fixed the problem yet.
3. High-Impact Exam Strategies (Focused on Solving Questions)
1. Measure Output, Not Time
A 2-hour session should produce something concrete.
Examples:
- Math >> 20+ questions completed
- Economics >> 2–3 structured answers
- Chemistry >> 15–25 mark-point questions
If you are not producing answers, you are not training for the exam.
2. Use the 3-Minute Rule
When solving questions:
- If stuck for more than 3 minutes >> skip
- Move on and secure easier marks
- Return later
This prevents losing large amounts of time on a single question.
3. Break Down the Question Before Solving
Many mistakes come from misreading. Before writing, identify the command term (explain, evaluate, calculate) and decide what method is needed.
Example:
- Math >> choose method before calculating
- Economics >> decide structure before writing
4. Always Show Full Working (Method Marks)
For Math and Sciences:
- Write every step clearly
- Do not skip working even if you can do it mentally
Even with a wrong final answer, method marks can still secure most of the points.
5. Redo Every Question You Get Wrong
This is the highest-impact habit. For each mistake:
- Review the correct solution
- Close it
- Redo the question fully
If you cannot do it again correctly, the mistake is not fixed.
6. Start Full Papers Earlier Than You Think
Do not wait until the final week. At least 2–3 weeks before exams you must:
- Begin full papers under strict timing
- No notes, no interruptions
This builds speed, stamina, and familiarity with exam pressure.
4. IB Exam Crash Course (2-Week Intensive)
If you’re:
- Studying hard but scores aren’t improving
- Running out of time in exams
- Unsure how to structure answers
Then you don’t need more content. You need exam strategy training.
If you’re working hard but your scores aren’t moving, the problem isn’t your knowledge, it’s your exam technique.
Last year, 85% of our students jumped at least one grade level from their Mocks to the Finals after taking our 2-Week Intensive IB Exam Crash Course.
We don’t just review content; we show you exactly how to secure that 7.
What we work on:
- Breaking down how marks are awarded
- Training students to approach questions correctly
- Fixing recurring mistakes quickly
- Practising under timed conditions with guidance
Format:
- 2 weeks
- 3 sessions per week
- Small group setting
- Available online and in-person
At this stage, improvement does not come from doing more content. It comes from:
- Doing questions properly
- Analysing mistakes carefully
- Training under exam conditions
That is what leads to consistent 6s and 7s.
If you’re already studying consistently but your scores aren’t moving, it’s usually a sign that your approach needs adjusting, not your effort.
If you want help with:
- Structuring your revision
- Fixing specific weaknesses
- Improving under exam conditions
Ready to Improve Your IB Score?
If you want to:
- Break past your current grade plateau
- Improve exam technique quickly
- Maximise your final IB results
Reach out to QEducation today.
We’ll help you:
- Identify exactly what’s holding you back
- Build a targeted revision strategy
- Train you to score under real exam conditions
Your final grades aren’t decided by how much you studied, but by how well you perform in the exam.
Let’s make it count.
