Introduction
One of the most stressful parts of IB Computer Science exams isn’t the content — it’s the clock. Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 require you to answer a variety of questions under strict time limits. Many students run out of time, leaving questions unfinished even if they knew the answers.
The solution? Time management strategies. By practicing pacing and structuring your answers, you can maximize marks and finish confidently. In this article, we’ll break down exactly how to manage time during IB Computer Science exams.
Quick Start Checklist
- ✅ Learn the structure and weighting of each paper.
- ✅ Allocate minutes per mark before the exam.
- ✅ Start with questions you’re most confident in.
- ✅ Keep answers concise and syllabus-focused.
- ✅ Practice with timed past papers regularly.
Time Management for Paper 1
- Section A (short-answer questions):
- Keep responses brief and direct.
- Use bullet points where appropriate.
- Don’t overwrite — you won’t get extra marks for long essays.
- Section B (case study/extended response):
- Plan your answer for 2–3 minutes before writing.
- Structure using PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation).
- Avoid going off-topic — examiners want focused answers.
Tip: If a question is worth 6 marks, aim to spend around 6 minutes on it.
Time Management for Paper 2
- Pseudocode questions:
- Write quickly but clearly. Stick to IB pseudocode conventions.
- Don’t waste time perfecting syntax — logic matters most.
- Algorithm tracing:
- Write down each step systematically instead of trying to do it all in your head.
- Problem-solving questions:
- Break problems into smaller steps. Even partial progress can earn marks.
Tip: Allocate time based on marks per question. A 12-mark problem-solving question should get about 12 minutes.
Practice Strategies Before the Exam
- Timed Past Papers
- Do at least 2–3 full timed papers before exams.
- Review where you lost time and adjust strategy.
- Mark-Per-Minute Rule
- Train yourself to spend about 1 minute per mark.
- Skip and Return
- If stuck, skip and move on. Circle it and come back later.
- Answer Planning
- Spend 2–3 minutes planning extended responses to avoid wasting time mid-answer.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Spending too long on one hard question.
- Writing more than necessary for low-mark questions.
- Forgetting to leave time to check answers.
- Panicking when the clock is ticking instead of moving on.
How RevisionDojo Helps
RevisionDojo makes time management practice easy by providing:
- Exam-style question banks organized by mark weight.
- Timed practice routines to simulate real exams.
- Concise notes so you revise efficiently instead of cramming.
- Model answers that show the correct depth for each mark band.
This ensures you learn not only what to answer but how fast to answer.
FAQs
Q: How do I stop panicking when I see a tough question?
Take a breath, skip it, and return later. Many students earn higher marks by securing easy points first.
Q: Should I write in full sentences for every answer?
Not always. For short-answer questions, bullet points are often enough if they are clear and correct.
Q: How much time should I leave at the end?
Aim to finish with at least 5–10 minutes left for checking your work.
Conclusion
Time management in IB Computer Science exams comes down to knowing the structure, practicing under timed conditions, and pacing yourself with marks in mind. By applying strategies like the “minute per mark” rule, skipping tough questions, and practicing full papers, you’ll walk into your exams calm and in control.
With RevisionDojo’s structured practice packs and timed question banks, you’ll train yourself to finish every paper on time — and maximize your score.
