Most students revise hard for GCSEs but forget one crucial factor: exam technique can make or break your grade. Knowing your subject is only half the battle — how you manage your time, structure answers, and stay focused under pressure often matters more.
And if you’re planning to begin the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) soon, developing strong exam habits now will give you a real advantage. The IB’s assessments demand the same precision, time awareness, and calm decision-making you can start practising during your GCSEs.
This guide breaks down exactly how to sharpen your exam skills, improve focus, and manage timing — all while building habits that will make your IB journey smoother.
Quick Start Checklist
Here’s a quick overview of how to improve your GCSE exam technique — and prepare for IB-style assessments at the same time:
- Start practising timed questions early.
- Use mark schemes to learn examiner language.
- Plan before you write — structure is everything.
- Train your focus with short, intense sessions.
- Review mistakes to learn patterns.
- Simulate exam pressure often — not just once.
- Reflect weekly on progress — an IB-style habit.
Why Exam Technique Matters (More Than You Think)
Even if you know your material perfectly, weak exam technique can cost marks. The IB works the same way: examiners reward clarity, structure, and precision, not just knowledge.
Good technique ensures you:
- Understand what the question really asks.
- Prioritise the highest-value tasks first.
- Communicate clearly under time pressure.
These are the same skills that later define success in IB papers, essays, and internal assessments. Practising them now will make your IB transition feel far less intimidating.
Step 1: Start with Past Papers — But Use Them Strategically
Most students save past papers for the end of revision. Top students start them early.
Here’s why:
- They show exactly how questions are phrased.
- They reveal which topics matter most.
- They teach you timing through repetition.
Try this process:
- Attempt one question under timed conditions.
- Mark it yourself using the official mark scheme.
- Identify where you lost marks — not just what but why.
- Repeat with a similar question until your accuracy improves.
By the time you reach the IB, this habit of self-assessment will be second nature — a skill essential for Internal Assessments (IAs) and exam reflections.
Step 2: Learn to Decode the Question
Every question hides key command words: explain, analyse, describe, compare, evaluate. Missing these words is one of the biggest causes of lost marks — both in GCSE and IB exams.
Train yourself to highlight or underline command words before answering.
- “Describe” = say what you see.
- “Explain” = say why it happens.
- “Evaluate” = weigh pros and cons, then give a judgement.
In IB exams, understanding command terms is vital — the same skill applies here. Build the habit now and you’ll approach IBDP papers with clarity and confidence.
Step 3: Time Each Question — and Stick to It
The biggest reason students run out of time? Spending too long on early questions.
Before every mock or past paper, calculate how long you can spend per mark. For example:
- 1-mark question → about 1 minute.
- 4-mark question → 4 minutes.
- 10-mark essay → around 12–15 minutes (including planning).
Use a timer while practising. If you go over, stop and move on — even if your answer isn’t perfect. The goal is coverage, not perfection.
The IB’s extended exams demand the same skill: knowing when to move on, when to deepen, and when to summarise.
Step 4: Plan Your Answers Before Writing
Students often lose marks not because they don’t know the answer, but because their response is disorganised.
Before writing, take 1–2 minutes to plan.
- Bullet key points in order.
- Identify which examples or evidence to use.
- Write a mini conclusion in advance (so you stay focused).
This is particularly useful for English, History, or Geography — and it’s a direct rehearsal for IB essay-based exams, which require structured, logical thinking under time pressure.
Step 5: Train Focus Like a Muscle
Concentration isn’t a gift; it’s a skill. If your attention drifts during exams, practise building focus gradually:
- Study in 25-minute Pomodoro blocks.
- During past-paper sessions, sit silently for full exam durations.
- Avoid multitasking; focus on one subject at a time.
You’re conditioning your mind to perform under quiet, time-bound pressure — just like IB assessments demand.
Step 6: Learn the Mark Scheme Language
Mark schemes are gold. They show you exactly how examiners think and what earns marks.
When marking your work, note recurring phrases — such as “clear explanation,” “supported with evidence,” or “accurate terminology.” Then practise writing using those terms.
This approach mirrors the IB’s criterion-based grading, where clarity, evidence, and precision drive higher scores. Understanding how examiners think now will make IB marking rubrics much easier to master later.
Step 7: Simulate the Real Exam Environment
Don’t wait until the actual exam to feel the pressure. Simulate it early:
- Use full past papers in exam conditions.
- Keep only allowed materials on your desk.
- Time yourself strictly.
Afterwards, reflect on how it felt — where did stress appear? Which sections took too long?
IB exams often last longer and require sustained focus. Simulating realistic exam pressure during GCSE preparation builds your mental endurance and confidence.
Step 8: Analyse Your Mistakes
Mistakes aren’t failures; they’re feedback. Keep a “mistake tracker” in your notebook:
- Write what went wrong.
- Note why it happened.
- Add how you’ll fix it next time.
This reflective loop is one of the IB’s key learning values. The more you can analyse your process now, the easier it will be to self-correct when faced with tougher IB workloads.
Step 9: Manage Exam Stress with Routine
A calm student performs better than a frantic one. Build a pre-exam ritual to reduce stress:
- Review summary notes only — don’t cram.
- Eat something light with slow-release energy.
- Take slow, deep breaths before opening the paper.
- Visualise success instead of worrying about mistakes.
Developing emotional control under pressure now will serve you throughout the IB, where multiple assessments often happen at once.
Step 10: Reflect and Improve Weekly
After each mock, quiz, or timed session, reflect:
- What improved?
- What slowed you down?
- How can I prepare better next time?
That reflective thinking will make your transition into the IB smoother. It’s exactly what the IB encourages through its focus on self-awareness and independent growth.
Expert Tips to Sharpen Your Exam Technique
- Practise under pressure early. Don’t wait for mocks.
- Don’t rewrite notes endlessly. Apply knowledge instead.
- Check command terms twice. Clarity earns marks.
- Underline key words in the question. Keeps your focus sharp.
- End every session with reflection. IB-style learning starts now.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I manage time better in long exams?
Use the “marks per minute” method to decide how long to spend on each question. Stick to your plan and move on when time’s up — you can always return later if time allows.
2. I panic and forget everything in exams — what should I do?
Practise under mild stress at home. The more familiar the pressure feels, the calmer you’ll be on the real day. Breathing techniques also help lower anxiety fast.
3. How early should I start practising past papers?
Ideally, start 6–8 weeks before exams. Begin with single questions, then move to full timed papers closer to the date.
4. Is exam technique different in the IB?
Not much — the principles are the same, but IB exams reward analysis and structure more heavily. By mastering timing and focus now, you’ll adapt quickly to IB expectations.
5. What’s the best way to mark my own practice work?
Always use official mark schemes. Be strict but fair. Over time, you’ll internalise what examiners look for — which builds accuracy and confidence.
Conclusion: Train for the Future, Not Just the Exam
Improving your exam technique isn’t just about scoring higher GCSE grades — it’s about developing the precision, calm, and time awareness you’ll need to succeed in the IB Diploma Programme.
By learning how to plan answers, manage time, and stay focused, you’re already practising the exact skills that define top IB students. Approach each exam as both a challenge and a rehearsal for your next big academic stage.
Call to Action
If you’re preparing to move from GCSEs or MYP into the IB Diploma, RevisionDojo is here to help you build the focus, strategy, and confidence you’ll need. Learn IB-style exam methods, reflection habits, and study techniques designed to help you master the Diploma from day one.
