How to Create a Balanced IB Study Schedule

Why a Balanced Schedule Matters

A healthy IB study schedule helps you maintain consistency, avoid burnout, and manage multiple academic demands like IAs, EE, TOK, and CAS—without neglecting mental well‑being. RevisionDojo emphasizes structure with flexibility to sustain performance long-term (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com).

Model Daily Routine for IB Success

RevisionDojo recommends starting your day right:

Morning (6 :30 AM–8 :00 AM): light review (flashcards, EE or TOK notes), goal planning (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com)
School hours: stay active in lessons—clarify doubts early, use free periods for study follow-up or CAS journaling (revisiondojo.com)
Afternoon session (4 :30–6 :00 PM):
- Focus on one HL subject (30–45 minutes of revision or past‑paper)
- Quick SL subject review or flashcards (20–30 minutes) (revisiondojo.com)
Evening (7 :30–9 :00 PM): allocate time for EE/TOK, past-paper practice, and optional CAS reflection (revisiondojo.com)
Wind-down (9 :30 PM–10 :30 PM): recap daily wins, prep next day’s plan, relax for healthy sleep (revisiondojo.com)

Weekly & Long-Term Planning

🎓 Weekly Framework

Study 2–3 subjects daily, rotated based on deadlines and strengths
Weekdays: ~2 hours study after school; Weekends: ~4–5 hours for past papers or core essays (revisiondojo.com)
Divide your time for HL/SL subject needs:
- HL subjects: 4–8 hours/week each
- SL subjects: 4–6 hours/week each (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com)

🗓️ Ideal Exam Countdown Timeline

Start serious study 4–6 months before May exams (Nov/Dec Year 2 end of Year 1)
Gradually increase from light revision to mock/practice papers to daily revision workload of 20–30+ hours/week as exams approach (revisiondojo.com)

Sample IB Weekly Breakdown

Focus Area Time Allocation per Week 3 HL Subjects → 6–8 h each ~18–24 h 3 SL Subjects → 4–6 h each ~12–18 h TOK/EE/CAS/Core Work ~3–5 h Past Papers & Revision ~10–15 h Total Estimate 30–40 h/week

Dynamic time shifts occur in mock or exam periods—adjust upwards as needed (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com).

Daily Structure Themes & Strategies

Mondays: EE research or IA planning
Tuesdays: Subject content revision
Wednesdays: CAS reflections or group tasks
Thursdays: TOK concept brainstorming
Fridays: Light review and wind‑down before weekend work (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com)

Use Pomodoro blocks (25 min focused + 5 min break) for focus, and spaced repetition or flashcards for memory retention (revisiondojo.com).

Preventing Burnout & Maintaining Balance

Schedule real breaks after school before diving into work
Protect 7–8 hours of sleep per night
Include downtime, meals, light exercise, and social breaks daily (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com)
Avoid burnout by rotating subjects and giving weekends time for both rest and reinforcement (revisiondojo.com)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When should I start structured IB revision?
Begin planned subject revision 4–6 months before exams—typically November or December of DP2 (revisiondojo.com)

Q2: How many hours per week should I study for HL?
4–8 hours/week per HL subject is ideal (revisiondojo.com)

Q3: How to fit IAs, TOK, EE alongside subjects?
Dedicate 1 core component block per evening (e.g. Monday for EE, Thursday for TOK) or integrate small weekly chunks for ongoing progress (revisiondojo.com)

Q4: What about weekends?
Use weekends for deep study blocks (2+ HL or timed past papers), EE planning, and restorative activities—all in a structured but flexible schedule (revisiondojo.com)

Q5: How can I avoid burning out?
Integrate breaks, leisure, and consistent wind‑downs nightly. Follow a structured yet adaptable routine rather than cramming late into the night (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com)

Q6: Should study schedules change during mocks or final prep?
Yes—ramp up dedicated study time to 20–30 hours/week, focus on mock exams, and refine exam pacing and strategies before finals (revisiondojo.com)

📣 Call to Action

Ready to build a personalized IB schedule that fits your subjects and goals? RevisionDojo can help with:

Custom weekly templates and planners tailored to your HL/SL breakdown
Study tools: timed past papers, flashcards, and Jojo AI feedback
Core project support: EE research trackers, TOK brainstorming planners, IA frameworks