Scheduling Your International Baccalaureate Studies Effectively for Maximized Success
Balanced Study Routine Key to IB Success, According to RevisionDojo
A well-structured and balanced study routine is crucial for IB students to manage multiple academic demands such as Internal Assessments (IAs), the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), according to learning platform RevisionDojo.
Each day should begin at 6:30 AM with light review and goal planning. Students are advised to use their school hours productively, staying active in lessons and clarifying any doubts early.
In the afternoon session, it is recommended to focus on one High Level (HL) subject for 30-45 minutes, followed by a 20-30 minute review of Lower Level (SL) subjects or flashcards. Evenings should be allocated for EE/TOK, past-paper practice, and optional CAS reflection.
Mondays are dedicated to EE research or IA planning, while Tuesdays are for subject content revision. Thursdays are for TOK concept brainstorming, and Wednesdays are for CAS reflections or group tasks. Fridays are for light review and wind-down before the weekend.
Weekends are essential for deep study blocks, EE planning, and restorative activities. It is important to avoid burnout by rotating subjects and giving weekends time for both rest and reinforcement.
During mocks or final preparation, dedicated study time should be ramped up to 20-30 hours per week, with a focus on mock exams and refining exam pacing and strategies before finals. Serious study for May exams should start 4-6 months before the exams, with an increase in study hours as the exams approach.
RevisionDojo also recommends time-blocking to allocate dedicated study slots per subject, setting micro-deadlines to break larger tasks into manageable goals, balancing study with breaks, exercise, and social time, staying organized with planners or digital tools like Google Calendar or Notion, and using active recall and spaced repetition study techniques to enhance memory efficiently.
Additional recommendations include spreading out major assessments and IAs to avoid deadline clustering, integrating extracurricular commitments like sports or music strategically through CAS or time management, and maintaining well-being using counseling and reflection practices embedded in IB's learner profile focus.
RevisionDojo provides customizable planners and guided support for internal assessments, promoting smarter rather than harder work. By following these recommendations, IB students can achieve a more balanced, organized, and intentional daily routine, combining focused study time with wellness practices and active study methods for successful IB performance.
[1] RevisionDojo (2022). IB Study Schedule: A Comprehensive Guide for IB Students
During the study schedule, it's suggested to incorporate flashcards for effective learning, contributing to personal-growth and education-and-self-development. To prepare for mock exams, students should increase their study hours, aiming for 20-30 hours per week, focusing on these mock exams as part of their learning process.
