Introduction: When “Good Answers” Still Miss the Marks
IB teachers know this frustration all too well: a student writes what seems like an excellent essay — well-organized, thoughtful, even articulate — yet scores below expectations. The reason? They didn’t write to the markscheme.
Understanding how examiners think is one of the hardest skills for IB students to master. Many can recall information, but few can apply it in the way the markscheme demands. Teachers spend hours explaining the difference between describe, explain, and evaluate, only to repeat it again next week.
RevisionDojo changes that by making the markscheme visible, interactive, and intuitive — helping students learn how IB assessment actually works.
Why IB Students Struggle with Markschemes
Markschemes are supposed to clarify grading, but for students, they often do the opposite. Here’s why they cause confusion:
- Abstract language: Terms like “critical analysis” or “substantiated judgment” can feel vague.
- Hidden expectations: Students see marks drop without understanding why.
- Command term confusion: Many still treat evaluate and discuss as synonyms.
- Feedback overload: Teachers give detailed notes, but students can’t link them to specific criteria.
- Examiner mindset gap: Students learn content, not marking strategy.
Until students understand how they’re being marked, their revision remains guesswork.
Quick Start Checklist: Teaching Markscheme Awareness
Teachers can start building student understanding of IB marking logic with a few key practices:
- Deconstruct real markschemes: Show how marks are earned, not just lost.
- Model examiner thinking: Talk through why each criterion matters.
- Highlight command terms regularly: Make them visible in every question.
- Use sample answers: Compare low-, mid-, and high-mark responses.
- Encourage self-assessment: Have students mark their own work using IB criteria.
But doing this consistently for every topic takes time — and that’s where automation helps.
How RevisionDojo Teaches Markschemes Automatically
RevisionDojo makes IB marking transparent. Instead of waiting for teacher explanations, students learn from examiner logic built into every task.
Here’s how it works:
- Built-In Markscheme Explanations: Each question includes simplified, student-friendly breakdowns of what earns marks and why.
- Command Term Highlighting: Every question clearly shows the command term and how it changes the answer approach.
- Model Answers: Dojo provides annotated sample responses at different grade levels, helping students see real differences in quality.
- Instant Feedback: Students get mark-aligned feedback right after answering, closing the gap between theory and performance.
- Criterion-Based Analytics: Teachers see how students perform across specific assessment criteria (e.g., AO1, AO2, AO3).
This turns markschemes from mysterious grading rubrics into practical learning tools.
Example: Improving Essay Performance in IB Geography
An IB Geography teacher noticed her students consistently scored lower on “evaluate” questions. Using RevisionDojo, she assigned topic-specific exam questions with highlighted command terms and visible markscheme breakdowns.
After just three weeks:
- Students began structuring essays around markscheme criteria.
- Average Paper 2 marks rose by 15%.
- Fewer “off-topic” responses were submitted.
Understanding why marks are awarded changed how students wrote — not just what they wrote.
Teacher Tips for Building Markscheme Fluency
- Use Dojo questions as exemplars: Show students side-by-side comparisons of high and mid-level answers.
- Turn marking into a lesson: Have students apply the Dojo rubric to sample responses.
- Focus on command terms weekly: Reinforce terminology through micro-quizzes.
- Link feedback directly to criteria: Replace “good detail” with “met AO2 requirement.”
- Reflect after each assessment: Use Dojo analytics to review common markscheme errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does RevisionDojo help students understand IB marking?
It embeds simplified markscheme logic directly into every question and explanation, helping students learn assessment expectations through active use.
2. Are the markschemes based on official IB standards?
Yes. RevisionDojo content is aligned with official IB criteria and examiner guidance across all subjects.
3. Can teachers modify or emphasize certain criteria?
Absolutely. Teachers can adjust focus areas or highlight specific command terms relevant to their class.
4. How quickly do students grasp markscheme logic through Dojo?
Typically, within a few sessions — because every answer they submit is tied to real IB criteria and feedback.
5. Does Dojo provide examiner-style model answers?
Yes. Each module includes annotated model answers at different markbands to show exactly what examiners reward.
Why RevisionDojo Makes Markschemes Click
When students finally understand how IB marking works, everything changes — essay structure, time management, and confidence. RevisionDojo bridges the gap between teaching and examining, giving students the insight they need to write for marks, not just meaning.
Make every student an IB examiner in training:
https://www.revisiondojo.com/schools
