IB Exam Revision: Past Papers & Markschemes
"A few weeks out — where do I even start?" Here's the revision that actually moves the needle late in the game, built around how to use past papers and markschemes.
The IB Diploma final exams cover a lot of ground, and how you spend the last few weeks makes a real difference. The short answer: the most effective late-stage revision is timed past papers under exam conditions, followed by marking yourself against the markscheme. This guide walks through how to get the most out of limited time.
What's the most effective late-stage revision?
The answer is clear: sit past papers under real, timed exam conditions — and then don't just move on. Mark your own answers against the markscheme.
- Treat each past paper as a dress rehearsal and time yourself
- When you finish, check your work against the markscheme, not just a model answer
- Go question by question and see exactly which sentence or line earns the mark
- Separate lost marks into "I didn't know it" versus "I knew it but lost the method/partial marks"
Re-reading your notes feels productive but tends to be weak for retention. Spaced retrieval — close the book, recall it, then check — puts far more into memory for the same amount of time.
A markscheme isn't an answer key; it's a map of where the examiner awards marks. Reading the markscheme, rather than just admiring a model answer, shows you the kind of writing that actually scores on the day.
How to use markschemes and command terms
Every IB question uses a command term — "state", "explain", "evaluate", "describe", "compare" — and it signals how you're expected to answer and how the marks are weighted.
- "State" or "outline" want something brief — don't over-invest time
- "Explain" or "evaluate" need reasoning and, where relevant, both sides — this is where marks move
- Read the marks available and scale your length and depth accordingly
The markscheme makes it concrete: it shows you what an examiner is looking for under each command term. On top of that, many subjects publish examiner reports / subject reports that summarise the mistakes candidates commonly make. Where they're available, reading one helps you sidestep the same traps.
A realistic countdown plan
Set priorities by how much time is left (adjust for how many subjects you're juggling). It's also worth rehearsing your in-exam time management now, so you don't have to figure out pacing on the day.
| Timeframe | Main focus |
|---|---|
| 4–6 weeks out | Sweep high-yield topics and find your weak spots. Sit your first past paper to gauge where you stand |
| 2–3 weeks out | Drill the weak topics specifically. Loop: past paper → mark against the markscheme |
| Final week | Full timed papers. Mostly review your mistakes log. Don't start new content |
| Day before | Light review only. Prioritise checking your materials and getting sleep |
The key principle: don't try to learn brand-new content from scratch in the final stretch. Time is better spent triaging — prioritising high-yield topics you only half understand — than cramming broadly.
What to check before exam day
To avoid last-minute panic, confirm what you're allowed to bring ahead of time. It varies by subject and paper.
- Sciences: some subjects provide and assume use of a data booklet
- Maths: some papers assume a GDC (graphic display calculator), while others are calculator-free (see our subject-specific maths guide)
- Pens, any permitted rulers, ID, and venue rules — check these in advance too
- Know your start times, venue, and the length of each paper before the day
Since the allowed materials differ by subject, the safest move is to confirm the requirements for your own subjects directly.
For the bigger picture — strategy for lifting your overall score (subject balance, making the most of TOK/EE, and so on) — see our separate guide, and remember that securing marks in your IA (internal assessment) is another big lever on your final score. This article stays focused on using past papers and markschemes to convert your knowledge into marks in the final weeks.
The run-up to exams is an anxious time, but the job is simple: sit papers under exam conditions, mark against the markscheme, and fix only the causes of your lost marks. If you can't quite see where the marks are slipping on your own, having an IB-graduate Quick IB tutor look over a paper with you can reveal the shortest route fast.
