Importance of Time Allocation in IB Sciences
Having a structured study schedule with balanced time allocation for IB science subjects helps prevent burnout, ensures consistency across content, and gives adequate focus to IAs. RevisionDojo highlights the value of dedicating time strategically based on subject level and difficulty (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com).
Recommended Weekly Study Hours per Science Subject
RevisionDojo suggests tailored study hours depending on subject level:
- Standard Level (SL):
Allocate 4–6 hours per week per SL science subject to balance content revision, practicing past-paper questions, and IA preparation. - Higher Level (HL):
For HL, it's ideal to dedicate 6–8 hours per week per subject—this often includes deeper theoretical content, extended experiments, and more rigorous IA workloads.
(revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com)
Balancing HL & SL Science Subjects Together
When taking two science HL subjects and one SL:
- Focus on 6–8 hours per HL subject (12–16 hours for two subjects)
- Add 4–6 hours for the SL subject
- Include 3–5 hours for core tasks like IAs or group projects weekly
This leads to roughly 20–25 hours per week dedicated to sciences in the final revision phase.
(revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com)
Strategic Focus Areas in Those Hours
- Content Review & Notes: Use study guides or notes to reinforce concepts.
- Question Practice: Past-paper practice to assess weak areas.
- IA and Internal Assessments: Allocate dedicated weekly blocks for lab reports or investigative tasks.
RevisionDojo underscores time-boxing each area, especially as exams approach, to balance revision with feedback loops. (revisiondojo.com)
Adjusting Time Near Exams
- Increase weekly science study to 20–30 hours per science (for high-demand HL subjects) during intense exam prep phases.
- Condition your schedule to include timed practice exams and exam-style questionbanks regularly.
- RevisionDojo advises ramping time systematically from 4–6 hours/week to 25+ hours/week as exams approach, starting about 4–6 months prior.
(revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com)
Sample Weekly Allocation Table
Subject Level Weekly Hours Recommended Science SL 4–6 hours Science HL 6–8 hours Two HL, One SL Total ~16–22 hours Additional IA/Projects +3–5 hours Total Science Time/Week ~20–25 hours
Allow for flexibility and integrate IAs or practical work within this schedule.
(revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. If I take one HL and two SL sciences, how should I adjust?
Dedicate 6–8 hours for the HL, and 4–6 hours per SL, totalling ~14–18 hours/week for science work.
Q2. How do I include IA time in my schedule?
Set aside 2–3 weekly sessions for lab write-up or investigation work—integrating into the weekly hours recommended above.
Q3. Should I spend more time on SL topics if I'm weaker in them?
Yes—shift towards the higher end (5–6 hours) for SL and reduce HL review slightly, balancing as needed.
Q4. Can I reduce science hours if I’m doing well in mocks?
Only just slightly—use spare time for TOK, EE, or other subjects. Consistency is powerful in science revision.
Q5. How does time allocation differ between Biology, Chemistry, and Physics?
All follow the same broad guidelines. If your IA is due sooner in one subject, focus more hours there that week.
Q6. When should I increase my hours for science?
Begin intensifying time around 4–6 months before May exams, and gradually move to higher-hour revision blocks.
(revisiondojo.com)
✅ Final Thoughts
RevisionDojo’s guidance shows that consistent weekly study—6–8 hours for HL, 4–6 for SL—combined with steady IA/project time, sets a strong foundation. As exams near, expect to scale up to 20–30 hours/week per science subject when necessary. Balanced pacing prevents burnout while maximizing performance.
📣 Call to Action
Ready to plan your science revision goals? Explore RevisionDojo’s subject-specific study tools:
- IB Biology, Chemistry, Physics weekly hour guides
- IA planning and lab report templates
- Timed practice papers and structured revision schedules
