1. Why Past Papers Matter
Practicing past papers helps you:
- Familiarize yourself with question formats and exam language
- Master exam timing and structure
- Identify strengths and weaknesses
RevisionDojo’s Effective Study Techniques for IB English A: Language and Literature guide shows how to integrate past-paper practice into your revision schedule.
2. Recommended Quantity per Subject
Use this guideline:
- Math SL/HL → 8–10 papers (mix of short and extended-answer papers)
- Sciences (Bio, Chem, Physics SL/HL) → 6–8 papers
- English/Languages SL/HL → 6–8, including both Paper 1 and Paper 2 variants
- Humanities (History, Geography, Economics) → 5–7 papers
- Language Acquisition → 6–8, including writing, reading comprehension, and listening practice
- Arts/Theory (Art, Music, TOK) → 4–6 practice tasks or mock components
Tailor the number to your confidence level—do more in weaker areas.
3. How to Practice Past Papers Effectively
- Simulate real exam conditions with full timing and no notes
- Mark yourself using mark schemes—identify errors and review weak areas
- Reflect weekly: “What did I struggle with? What patterns emerged?”
Use RevisionDojo’s How to Reflect on Yourself as a Knower in TOK strategies to deepen your review.
4. Focused vs. Full Paper Practice
Alternate between:
- Full past papers: simulate exam endurance and pacing
- Focused question sessions: concentrate on one question type or topic for deeper practice
Templates in our Structuring for Success in IB TOK Essays toolkit can be adapted to track which question types need more revision.
5. Use Jojo AI to Optimize Review
Use AI prompts like:
“What errors do I make consistently in Paper 2?”
“Which paper topics need extra review?”
RevisionDojo’s Jojo AI helps you log insights from past-paper practice and plan targeted follow-up sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What if I don’t have access to many past papers?
Use a mix of official IB and specimen papers. Supplement with RevisionDojo’s question banks and AI practice prompts.
Q2: Should I repeat the same paper?
Only to check if you’ve corrected mistakes. Otherwise, diversify papers to cover more topics.
Q3: When should I start practicing past papers?
Begin 8–10 weeks before exams, building up to full papers closer to test dates.
Q4: How long should each practice session be?
Aim for at least one full paper or multiple focused questions per subject each week.
Q5: What if I run out of time?
Begin with focused sessions, then realistically progress to full papers as exams approach.
Q6: How does RevisionDojo support this practice?
We offer question banks, mark-scheme checklists, Jojo AI reflection prompts, planner tools, and review templates to keep your strategies clear and goal-oriented.
Conclusion
The ideal number of past papers varies—but a consistent mix of 6–10 per subject, combined with deliberate review and reflection, leads to success. Keep tracking your progress and targeting weaknesses to maximize your exam prep.
Master Past-Paper Practice with RevisionDojo
Visit RevisionDojo to access structured question banks, full mock papers, Jojo AI reporting tools, reflection prompts, and study planners designed to boost your exam readiness. Start your free trial today and study smarter! 📚
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