IB Revision: How to Balance 6 Subjects and Ace Your Exams

The IB is brutal: 6 subjects, TOK, EE, CAS, and exams that determine your diploma. Here is how to survive and thrive.

Prioritise by Points

Higher Level subjects are worth more. Spend 60% of your time on HLs, 40% on SLs. Within HLs, prioritise your weakest subjects.

Use the Syllabus as a Checklist

The IB syllabus is precise. Every exam question comes from it. Print it out. Tick off topics as you master them. No surprises on exam day.

Integrate CAS into Revision

Teach a younger student = CAS + revision. Create a study guide for a charity = CAS + revision. Do not treat CAS as separate — integrate it.

Manage the Extended Essay

Start the EE in Year 1. Choose a topic you are genuinely interested in. A good EE can lift your total score by 3 points. A bad one drags it down.

Build a Revision Timetable

Block out time for each subject. Include breaks. Be realistic — 6 hours of focused work is better than 10 hours of distracted work.

Use AI to Fill Gaps

When you are stuck on a topic, use AI to explain it differently. Generate practice questions. Create flashcards. The IB covers too much to do it all manually.