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WHY IB PROGRAMME?

Out of all the programs offered to students, IB is undoubtedly one of the most difficult. This is because students are expected not only to navigate between the requirements of their different classes but also to several internal essays (IA), an extended essay (EE), theory of knowledge (TOK), and creative, action and service (CAS) efforts. Moreover, because of the IB’s rigorous curriculum, students are often more prepared for the challenges of university and thus valued more when it comes to university admissions and further studies at university.

Furthermore, the IB program differentiates from other programs such as GCSE and the AP because It is about developing students’ skills and getting stronger in analyzing, processing data, problem-solving and critical thinking. One of the goals of IB is to help students become lifelong learners who not only excel in their personal study but also their personal development.

Here are the tips that help students navigate their path to success in the IB:

1. FOCUS ON TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS

The foundation for a successful DP experience is to manage your time effectively. In addition to your 6 courses, you also will be dedicating time to various extracurriculars that will further improve your chances for higher education. To be able to do this without getting overwhelmed, you must prioritize your activities, plan ahead, and use efficient study habits (e.g. testing yourself with practice questions while reading and mastering the materials your teachers provide).

2. CHOOSE THE SUBJECTS YOU ENJOY.

The IB program offers a wide variety of course options, so choose the ones that appeal to you the most. However, it is also crucial to be realistic and strategic because the courses you choose can determine the university/college programs you can apply to. Do your research on the possible careers and programs you would like to pursue in the future, and choose subjects (and SL/HL levels) that will put you in the most optimal position for your university applications. Appropriate and thoughtful course selection will also make your learning experience more fulfilling and rewarding.

3. START REVIEWING MATERIAL BEFORE YOU ENTER THE CLASSROOM.

IB can get very overwhelming if you do not plan effectively. The summer before your 11th grade is a great time to prepare by looking through the course guidelines on the official IB website. This will ensure that you are not caught off-guard by the sudden increase in workload and content complexity.
For students going into 12th grade, the summer is crucial as the course loads are heavier; you will also need to research and write your Extended Essay. Use the summer to revise Year 1 material using the free practice tests and worksheets available online and professional tutors from institutes like Hack Your Course IB Tutoring Service–make sure that the revision materials you acquire are up-to-date and accurate because there is a lot of outdated material online. However, do not push yourself too hard! Use some of the summer to rest and recuperate before a very busy Year 2.

4. TAKE THE CLASS TESTS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND SYLLABUSES SERIOUSLY.

Students often overlook the material in the classes in which they are initially most confident–this can be very detrimental to their grades and confidence down the road. Make sure to take each test, project, and assignment seriously; continuous and cumulative revision is the best way to retain information. Reflect on what you did well and what you need to improve after every assessment, carefully considering the feedback you receive from your teachers. This approach will help you focus on your weakest areas of knowledge and understanding and thereby strategize your future study methods that set yourself up for increasing success!

5. BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

One of the reasons why the IB is so rewarding to students is that it doesn’t focus solely on academics. The Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) portion of the IB imbues students with essential skills like collaboration, communication, initiative, and risk-taking. Trying out new activities that you are passionate about–sports, music, advocacy, volunteering, arts et c–can enrich your character, help you discover new talents and skills, teach you how to prioritize, and make your high-school experience unforgettable in the best way.

6. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOURCES FROM THE INTERNET

A plethora of resources can help you understand topics that your teacher may not have gotten the first time in class. There are websites, blogs, and videos dedicated to the various topics covered by the IB that can simplify concepts or present them more interestingly. However, the IB curriculum changes often, so it’s important to ensure you are not learning outdated information; always refer back to the course guidelines your teachers have provided. The best and most effective way to get help or ahead is to use respected, IB-specialized tutoring services like Hack Your Course; however, if you do not have the means to do this, there are other excellent resources you can use. Your teachers can guide you toward these and steer you away from unhelpful or dubious pathways.

7. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH EXAM PAPERS AND MARK SCHEMES

Many students naively put too much emphasis on reviewing material by reading the textbook over and over; however, active recall is one of the best ways to ensure understanding and retention. Active recall is the act of learning by constantly testing yourself, recalling answers without looking at the solutions actively. Using valid practice papers at the appropriate time is one of the best ways to improve this skill. This approach helps you review the course content and, more importantly, plan how to apply your knowledge of this content using the correct format. Your familiarization with each assessment’s criteria is fundamental to your success on the external assessments, internal assessments, and the exams you encounter in Groups 1-5 at the end of Year 2–your teachers have access to these and should provide them to you at the appropriate time during the course so that you know exactly how your work will be assessed. We also recommend that, in the three months leading up to the IB exams, you simulate the test conditions by giving yourself the exact amount of time you will have on the actual test day without access to notes. This will help you manage your time on the actual exam and help calm any nerves because you will know what to expect.

Many past papers also come with mark schemes that include “model answers”–often these include criterion-based examiner marks and written feedback justifying these marks. These are incredibly valuable in showing you how to format future answers and anticipate the approaches, skills, and terminology your examiners will look for in your responses. Again, your teachers have access to these samples and should provide them to you at the appropriate time. However, we do not recommend delving into exam papers without learning the course content first–memorizing past papers won’t help you because they change every exam session.

8. BE PROACTIVE AND REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT.

If you are having trouble understanding something, do not ignore it and move onto the next topic. Try to understand it immediately! IB is structured in such a way that new concepts build on old foundations. If you do not understand something and then choose to ignore it, you won’t understand newer concepts either, leaving a gaping hole in your knowledge.

Be proactive and ask your teacher, brainstorm with your friends, consult YouTube, etc. Your own resourcefulness is your best ally. If you are having a lot of trouble with a subject, look at other options such as getting a tutor, reducing the subject’s level (e.g. from HL to SL), or changing the subject if you can. If you have the means, the best option is to use the services of respected tutoring companies like Hack Your Course that have IB expertise.

9. DON’T GET BURNT OUT.

Burnout by the end of 12th grade can undo a lot of hard work that you invested in the last one and a half years. IB can be very overwhelming if you choose to focus solely on academics. Make sure to hang out with family and friends, engage in activities that you love, and take time to take care of yourself. A healthy state of mind and body can go a long way in increasing your self-confidence and performance, even if that means sacrificing a bit of study time. You are still in high school. Make it memorable in the most positive way!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AP AND IB?

The Advanced Placement (AP) program and the International Baccalaureate (IB) are the two most prominent elite-level curriculums for high school students across the globe. Both programs offer students a more rigorous curriculum compared to standard high school courses and are widely recognized by post-secondary institutions worldwide.

Many parents, teachers, and students may wonder about the real-world benefits of the AP and IB programs, so in this article we will discuss the differences between them, how they affect post-secondary admissions, and the overall impact of enrolling in these advanced curriculums.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AP AND IB?

The Advanced Placement program was created by the College Board in 1955. It offers college-level courses for high school students primarily taken during grades 11 and 12. There are currently 38 AP courses and exams available, ranging from science and math to the humanities, art, music, and beyond.

In 2018, College Board also began offering Pre-AP courses for students in their first and second year of high school. The Pre-AP courses are designed to allow students to focus on the core themes in every course and develop essential skills needed to succeed in grades 11 and 12. As of 2021, eleven Pre-AP courses are available, although no official Pre-AP-designated schools in Canada exist. In the United States, over twelve thousand schools offer AP Calculus AB, while only 288 offer Pre-AP Algebra 1. Technically, students can take any AP courses beginning in grade 9, but due to its difficulty and level of critical thinking needed of students, the CollegeBoard does not recommend it until they are in grade 11 or 12.

The International Baccalaureate, on the other hand, is a complete and comprehensive programme that covers grades 1 to 12. It offers a Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students aged 3 to 12, a five-year Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11-16, and a two-year Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 16 to 19. To learn more about the IB Programmes, click on this link. Students do not have to begin with the PYP or MYP; they can join IB in Grade 11 to get their IB Diploma. To do so, they must pass six courses, three of which must be Higher Level (HL), complete their theory of knowledge (TOK), extended essay (EE), and a creativity, activity, services (CAS) requirement. Alternatively, they can pursue an IB certificate for as many courses as they like.

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