What to Do If You Feel Underprepared for Your IB Exams
It’s mid-May. The exam dates are closing in.
And maybe — despite all your plans — you feel behind. Unprepared. Overwhelmed.
You’re not alone.
Every year, thousands of IB students feel the same way. The good news? You still have time, and you can still turn it around.
Here’s what to do if you feel underprepared for your IB exams — starting today.
1. Stop the Spiral. Make a List.
The worst thing you can do right now is panic without a plan.
Start by writing down:
- Every subject you’re sitting
- The remaining papers (e.g., Paper 1, Paper 2, IA already done?)
- The key topics you feel weakest in for each
Then ask yourself:
“What would make me feel 10% more in control by tonight?”
It might be printing a syllabus checklist.
It might be watching a topic summary.
It might be answering just one past paper question.
That’s your first task. And you can do that today.
2. Don’t Try to Revise Everything. Target Smartly.
At this point, you won’t benefit from re-reading the entire textbook.
Instead, use the Pareto Principle: 80% of your results come from 20% of your input.
Focus on:
- High-weighted topics (based on past paper trends)
- Core diagrams and definitions that appear repeatedly
- Common command terms (Explain, Evaluate, Compare)
✅ Example:
If you're behind in IB Biology, don’t start at cell structure. Jump to genetics, enzymes, and human physiology — the question-rich zones.
Use Predict Exam’s blog guides and predictive papers to locate the highest-impact topics quickly.
3. Practice Paper Structure — Not Just Content
Even if you don’t know everything, you can still earn marks by:
- Structuring your answers correctly
- Using labeled diagrams
- Applying real-world examples
- Following the command term precisely
A well-structured answer on a topic you half-understand often scores more than a messy answer on a topic you revised fully.
Train exam behavior — not just facts.
4. Use Time Blocks, Not Marathon Sessions
Now is not the time for 8-hour cram days.
Use this strategy:
- Morning: 1 full past paper (or 2 predictive short answers)
- Afternoon: Flashcards or summary videos for weak topics
- Evening: Light review or mind mapping (no new content)
Set a hard cutoff (e.g., 9PM) — and protect your sleep like it's part of your revision plan. Because it is.
5. Focus on What You Can Still Control
You can’t go back and start earlier. You can’t change what you didn’t revise.
But you can:
- Choose what you do today
- Choose how you approach the exam room
- Choose to fight for every mark left on the table
Even improving one grade boundary — from a 5 to a 6, or a 6 to a 7 — can change your university offers, your confidence, your path.
You still have time. Use it with intention.
Predictive Practice = Smart Recovery
Predict Exam’s IB predictive papers are designed to help students who feel behind:
- Topic targeting based on historical frequency
- Paper structure that mimics the real exam
- No fluff, no filler — just high-impact practice
You don’t need more hours.
You need smarter hours.
Conclusion: Behind ≠ Defeated
If you feel underprepared for your IB exams:
- Don’t panic — plan
- Don’t revise everything — target what matters
- Don’t cram endlessly — structure your time
- Don’t give up — focus on what you can still change
You’ve got time, and you’ve got tools.
Explore Predict Exam’s IB Predictive Papers and make every remaining hour count.